Colourful Dreamer

You can listen to this sermon here   Gate Pa –  4 th Sunday in Ordinary Time- Year A – 2023 Readings: Psalm -                        Psalm: 84                            First Reading -             Malachi 3:1-4               Second Reading -        Luke 2: 22-40 Gospel -                       Matthew 5: 1-12   What I want to say: As we end Epiphany-Christmas with its focus on light and revelation, we are given the beatitudes. Jesus gives words to what he is already and will continue doing. He is living the empire of Heaven and inviting his disciples to join him. What I want to happen: What invitation is in this? The Sermon 1.      Introduction: This Sunday often offers us some options around themes and readings. It is the fourth Sunday after Epiphany. We have mostly listened to the readings for that Sunday. This coming Thursday (February 2) when we celebrate the Presentation of Jesus in the temple which we heard about as our second reading. This day is more commonly known as C

There is a lot to squeeze into this week’s theme. Firstly, we are observing the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple -  which falls on 2 February, 40 days after Christmas, marking the end of Christmas-Epiphany season. Jesus was presented at the Temple as the law required of a first son, and we hear the response of Simeon (The Song of Simeon or Nunc Dimittis) and Anna.  The name Candlemas comes from the tradition of blessing the candles that were to be used in the church during the coming year. Candles were the main means of providing light – in every way we can understand that. Over these 40 days when we have been invited to wrap our minds around the light of God revealed in Christ. God is with us; God is with all.  The presentation story is one more revelation of who Jesus the Christ is, and through that who God is and the nature of God’s ongoing work in the world today. Confusingly for those of you who follow the lectionary this week we are using the gospel reading for the fourth S

You can listen to this sermon here  Gate Pa – 3rd Sunday in Epiphany - Year A - 2023 Readings: Psalm -                        Psalm: 27:1,4-9                   First Reading -              Isa 9:1-4                                Second Reading -       1 Cor 1:10-18 Gospel -                        Matthew 4:12-25                         What I want to say: To explore epiphany as time of intentionally seeing the world differently (repentance) and living that out (call). What I want to happen: People to reflect on what has changed in how they see God, the world and themselves, and how they have responded to that.   The Sermon 1.      Introduction: Since January 6 we have been in the season of Epiphany Begins with the story of the Magi – Astrologers or wise men from Persia Who come to pay homage to Jesus. It acts as a continuation of the Christmas season -          where we celebrate God’s love made known in the birth of the baby Jesus Epiphany celebrates   the manifestation of Christ

Epiphany is a time to reflect on the revelation of God breaking in once again in human history. It continues the Christmas story with the Persian Magi – (astrologers who are condemned by Torah) coming to anoint a child from a poor Jewish family as king. God’s gracious love breaking into the darkness of this world This is not how things were normally done then or now. Amy G. Oden says “ the apparent powers of the world are unmasked, revealed to be a sham for all their bluster and posturing. During Epiphany, we recognize God's inbreaking in Jesus Christ, setting in stark relief the false, worldly powers that claim so much authority in our lives: success, productivity, dominance, self-reliance. They do not have the last word.” (www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/third-sunday-after-epiphany/commentary-on-isaiah-91-4-5) This Sunday we hear Matthew 4:12-25. In response to John’s arrest Jesus withdraws and begins his ministry inviting people to repent. Too