Sunday 19 November 2023

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Today is Sunday 19 November, beginning the 33rd week of Ordinary time.

The Porter’s Gate sing, ‘The Promise’.

This gift you gave from the beginning

Warm light, dry land, blue water brimming

And more, from the earth there came a growing

From seed to bloom, all the while you were sowing

It was love, love given in the water

And peace, God's peace written in the letters

Of the earth, God's earth, given with a promise

Can we keep it

Can we keep it

And stars in the night to gaze on them kindly

Great light, cool moon, all aligned in the sky, see

From water came life and so from the land

To feed, not to fight, to stand hand in hand

It was love, love given in the water

And peace, God's peace, given in the sunshine

And the earth, God's earth, given with a promise

Can we keep it

Out from the silence I hear a voice, I follow it onwards

You whisper to me, I am reminded of every gift you gave

So, spirit lead me unto the waters, unto the earth you made

Teach me the secret to ever care for, to look after it

It was love, love given in the water

And peace, God's peace written in the letters

Of the earth, God's earth, given with a promise

Can we keep it

Can we keep it

Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians.

1 Thess 5:1-6

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober…

We believe that this letter to the Thessalonians is the oldest part of the New Testament. This is early Paul. He, and they, were expecting the imminent return of Jesus to judge the world. Also, hostility and persecution is a part of their Christian lives. Their world was a dangerous place and doing the right thing really mattered.

Our context today is perhaps not so different. There are still dangers, found in countless examples. Is there an example that comes to mind for you today?

Perhaps you might choose one issue to pray for today. Our climate and common home, the earth… Persecuted Christians… Those struggling in challenging economic times… What else comes to mind?

As you listen again, can you see the relevance of Paul’s oldest letter for our times?

When we are listening, God speaks in peace. How are you being invited by the Spirit to pray and care for our world? How do you want to respond? Do that now, in these closing moments of prayer…

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.