Holy Trinity Winchester Podcast

Introduction-       Jesus claims to be ‘the good shepherd’ and implies that he is worth trusting and following.-       Contrasts himself with the one who is ‘a hired hand’.-       Let’s look at that comparison. Firstly though…-       What does the imagery of sheep and shepherd mean?-       Christ talking about the way we orientate our lives and what influences our outlook.-       Many unaware that...

IntroductionSuggestion that Christianity is key to living in real world may sound outlandish. This is what I will argue here. Different Ways of Viewing the Resurrection1)    In spiritual, metaphorical, symbolic, or exemplary terms.2)    As a unique, historical, objective fact. Spiritual Resurrection-       First tendency of disciples: ‘they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spiri...

Doubting Thomas“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” John 20:25Two ways of seeing Thomas’ doubts:1)    As cynical, a type of unbelief.2)    As genuine, faith seeking understanding. Thomas the Cynic-       Thomas sometimes understood this way: closed to Christ, contemptuous of childis...

“Why are you weeping?”During my adult life, I have often sought a change of scenery during the working day and gone instead to coffee shops. In one coffee shop that I went to many times, I observed the behaviour of a rather eccentric man, who seemed to mutter ecstatically to himself, smiling and laughing. At points, he would grow so excited that he would rise from his seat and, as it were, begin p...

IntroPhil. 2 gives theological and spiritual window onto Christ’s passion. Asks us not only to be part of the crowd that hails him but to stand with him in his loneliness, humility, obedience. Context of Phil. 2-       Paul seeks unity and healing of division. How best to achieve? Consider example of Christ.-       v. 5 ‘Have this mind among yourselves…’ – (phroneite), think in this way, have this...

“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”-       Passiontide begins. We come to Jerusalem and begin the approach to the cross. Greeks at the Feast-       After Christ’s Triumphal entry to Jerusalem (John 12:12-19), Greeks at feast, wish to see Jesus.-       Nations coming to Jesus, contast to eg. Pharisees (John 12:19).-       Promise to Abraham: “…in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blesse...

The Bad News: Fiery Serpents‘From Mount Hor they set out by way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”’ Numbers 21:4-5-       With everything God had done for...

Lent 3, ReadingsEx. 20:1-7, 1 Cor. 1 18-25, John 2:13-22‘And making a whip from cords, he drove them all out of the temple…’-       It is easy to forget about this and focus on meekness of Christ.-       Suggest that this passage is not a justification for outbursts of anger and the cultivation of an angry outlook.-       New Testament unilaterally negative about anger: ranging from caution to out...

Lent 2, 2024Gen. 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 4:13-end; Mark 8:31-endThe Faith of AbrahamThe Situation-       Situation faced by Abraham: God promised him offspring and that ‘he would be heir of the world’ (Romans 4:13).-       By 99 and 100 years-old respectively, Abraham and Sarai had no offspring together. His body was ‘as good as dead’. Sarah’s womb was barren. (Romans 4:19).-       What was going on...

Lent 1, 2024Mark 1:9-15“Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.”Mark 1:24-25Reading helps us focus today upon Christ as Saviour, Example, and Master. Christ as Saviour-       Christ tempted in wilderness 40 days. Fasting acc. to Matthew 4:2.-       Why? Christ reverses pattern o...

Hearts Must Be Broken - Ash Wednesday, 2024Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Cor. 5:20(b)-6:10; Matt. 6:1-6, 16-21“The day of the LORD is coming; it is near…”-       Context of reading from Joel-       National and religious calamity: locusts, drought, possible invasion. Locusts: no wine and grain, therefore no offerings in Temple.-       National and religious calamity linked. National and religious poverty.-...

2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Cor. 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9‘And he led them to a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them.’Introduction-       Ash Wednesday approaches, the beginning of Lent.-       Lent period of penitence and devotion, preparation for joy of Easter.o   Liturgical calendar helps focus on aspects of Christian life.o   In culture, time is homogenous. All the same. No differenc...

Candlemas, 2024Luke 2:22-40The Holy FamilySome Context-       We find ourselves forty days after the birth of Christ.-       Law of Moses required mother of male child to offer a purification sacrifice, could only be done at this point at the Temple in Jerusalem (Lev. 12:1-8). One lamb and turtledove/pigeon or two turtledoves/pigeons.-       Ritual sacrifice of an animal in place of sinner to make...

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, 2024Rev. 12:1-6Introduction-       Comments on New Testament reading. Revelation, often perceived as a “hard” book.-       Genre is apocalyptic, literally means “unveiling”. Related to season of Epiphany in which something is revealed in a dramatic way.-       Apocalyptic takes us behind curtain of normal appearances to the spiritual realities that underlie them.-    ...

Epiphany 2, 2024John 2:1-11The Story-       Story about a crisis at a wedding: the wine has run out. Serious crisis in literal terms. Symbolically represents barrenness of Jewish religion at the time. More broadly, represents lack of joy, loss of conviviality, running down of resources.-       Until Christ’s mother petitions him and he performs ‘the first of his signs…and manifested his glory’ (v....

Antony of Egypt – 18th January, 2024-       Antony a man who withdrew into the Egyptian desert to live solitary life of prayer (251-356)-       Major biography written by Athanasius of Alexandria, The Life of Antony: ‘…simply to remember Antony is a great profit and assistance.’-       Why is it profitable to think about a man who lived by himself among tombs and in mountains in the Egyptian deser...

Samuel and the Sons of EliEpiphany 2, 20241 Samuel 3:1-20A Well-Known Story-       Story of boy Samuel, called by God in temple, very well-known, yet wider context give us a deeper understanding. Context of Religious Decline-       Story of 1 Samuel about two priesthoods, one represented by Eli and his sons Hophni and Phineas, and one represented by Samuel, which would bring about the kingship of...

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Advent III, 2023Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11; 1 Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28John the Baptist-       Amazing things said of John the Baptist.o   Born in miraculous circumstances. Elizabeth advanced in years, unable to bear. Message from an angel of the Lord to Zechariah, Elizabeth will bear a son and ‘“he will be great before the Lord”’ (Luke 1:15).o   Jesus said of him, ‘“I tell you, among those born o...

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In this sermon, Fr Jamie Franklin asks us to consider what it is about the soul of modern man that he cannot bear to observe the season of Advent but must always rush on to Christmas. Have we lost the ability to face the difficult challenges and significant questions of life? And what hope does the Christian faith really offer in the midst of a chaotic and turbulent world? This is a public episode...

Advent 1, 2023Isaiah 64:19; 1 Cor. 13:9; Mark 13:24-37Advent-       Season of Advent preparation for two comings of Christ: birth and second coming and final judgment. Therefore a penitential season: hence purple.-       Our Gospel reading clearly about the end of history, what it will be like.-       But it gives us great insight into how to live the Christian life today.“Be on guard, keep awake....

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit holytrinitywinchester.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit holytrinitywinchester.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit holytrinitywinchester.substack.com