SOCL, 25C

Sunday September 21, 2025

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The banking crisis is only one example of a wider “honesty deficit” in public life. Even people working for charities are sometimes found, unfortunately, to be lacking in integrity. As a result, the story of dishonest management will not lack contemporary echoes. It also means that the shock of story—the manager continues to fix the books for his own benefit—is just as much a shock today as it would have been in first-century Palestine. If that were not enough, the ironic teaching drawn in v. 9 borders on the sarcastic, not to say caustic. No missing the meaning, in any case! But what is the meaning? It can’t be simply copy that distressing example of the manager. To act, not to delay, seems to be at the centre.

Listen

Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113 (112); 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13

Reflect

(Luke 16:1-13)

As often with the parables of Jesus, this one is intended to shock in order to make us think. Jesus is not praising the injustice of the servant, but his purposefulness in preparing for the future. In your experience what difference does it make when you are purposeful and energetic instead of lethargic?

It was his master’s call to account that galvanized the servant into action. What have been the experiences, or people, that have galvanized you into action when you had been somewhat halfhearted in your efforts?

Who have been the people whose energy, drive and astuteness have been an inspiration to you in how to handle difficult situations?

“No servant can be the slave of two masters”. When have you experienced the truth of this statement?

Pray

God our saviour, you call us into your service. Make us wise and resourceful: children of the light who continue your work in this world with untiring concern for integrity and justice. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

SOCL, Holy CrossC

Sunday September 14, 2025

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People undergoing counselling and therapy sometimes have a block or memory, which is holding them back, usually an earlier difficult experience of some kind. Something like that is happening in the Old Testament folk tale of the bronze serpents: the power of the serpents to cause harm is taken away once they are confronted straight in the eye, through the symbol of the bronze serpent. We may say the same of Jesus as he faced death for us. Being lifted up for our sake, he looked death in the eye and took away its power over us.

Listen

Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 78 (77); Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17

Reflect

(John 3:13-17)

In John’s Gospel the lifting up of Jesus on the cross is the climax of the revelation of God’s love for us. How has the cross spoken to you of the love we have been shown in Jesus?

Jesus says the purpose of his life is that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. In what ways has faith given you life and vitality?

Jesus said that he was sent to save and not to condemn. Remember what has helped you to see God as one who is fundamentally on your side in life, a God to be trusted and relied on rather than feared.

In presenting the purpose of his life as salvation rather than condemnation, Jesus tells us something about the purpose of every human life. It is to be lifegiving, rather than destructive of life. Recall times your life was enriched by the words or actions of another. Remember also when you were able to do the same for another person.

Pray

Lifted up among us, O God, is Jesus the crucified: sign of your steadfast love and pledge of your will to save. To those who look upon the cross with faith, grant healing of soul and life eternal. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

SOCL, 23C

Sunday September 07, 2025

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A life without wonder would be very barren indeed. Babies are great at wonder and good communicators (in whatever field, such as nature or cosmology) have kept an almost childlike sense of discovery. Our faith, too, gets its energy from a combination of wonder, discovery and, betimes, perplexity. Some of the most inspiring passages in the Bible reflect this. For example, in Sirach 43, after an exhaustive review of the wonders of creation, the writer closes with the arresting words, We could say more but could never say enough; let the final word be: “He is the all.” (Sirach 43:27).

Listen

Wisdom 9:13-18; Psalm 90 (89); Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33

Reflect

(Luke 14:25-33)

The passage is a call to both radical and practical discipleship. When have you found that in order to achieve a certain objective you had to make it a priority, and then take the practical steps necessary to reach your goal? What were the benefits to you when you did this?

“Hate” is prophetic exaggeration for the uncompromising loyalty Jesus seeks in disciples. There may be times when people make demands in conflict with fidelity to another relationship. This can be painful. When have you found that being clear about your priorities helped you in that situation?

Jesus uses parables here to tell us that in important human affairs we do not settle for vague aspirations. When have you found that some element of practical planning has been necessary to make progress with a project? What has this taught you about making the most of your life and of your time?

Pray

God of the ages, you call the Church to keep watch in the world and to discern the signs of the times. Grant us the wisdom which your Spirit bestows, that with courage we may proclaim your prophetic word and complete the work that you have set before us. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.