Come and See

Half way! Keep on taking up you Cross and following. Third Sunday in Lent. At this stage we can begin to get tired. Mark's Gospel encourages you to keep on taking up your Cross and following Christ. Be encouraged!

St. Paul reminds us to concentrate on those things that will last for ever. Mark's Gospel today shows us that we have to work hard to come to the feet of Christ. God bless your Lenten struggle! Hebrews 1:10-2;3, Mark 2:1-12

It's only the first Sunday in Great Lent! Finding the going tough so far? Hmmm. There's a bit more to come!

The father in this parable suffers a 50% loss but when God lost you both He and you suffered 100% loss.

Two people entered the Temple. One said "What a lucky God you are to have a follower like me!" The other said "What a lucky man I am to have a God like You!"

2 Corinthians 6:16 -7:1 & Matthew 15:21-28 She was possibly an idol worshipper but her persistence, love and humility and faith meant that her prayer was heard. The Apostles wanted her to go away.

God gives each of us an immense amount to work with. Our task is to double the amount by trading and taking risks with it, by making use of Grace for the Kingdom of God. The stakes are high.

The Colossians became very proud of the new and smart teaching they had and the Lepers became overwhelmed by the health they suddenly enjoyed. Both groups forgot to give thanks except the heretic Samaritan and St. Paul whom the Colossians were trying to ignore!

Are you baptised? Are you hoping to be baptised? Then this is for you!

Both St. Paul and John the Forerunner and Baptist look forward to a time when their own ministries and lives will be over. They laboured to produce a foundation on which the next in line would continue to build. Just like us.

So the Church is persecuted? Nothing new there - Herod and St. Paul both did their best to rid the world of the faith. Today the same happens but the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church though it grows smaller in some places and greater in others. Maintain Faith, never retaliate, love the enemies, pray for them.

So whilst the Magi saw a star and the shepherds saw angels what did most people see? Nothing! Just like now! So be an angel, become a star.

Love is something you do.

God forgives and so must I!

The Laity of God is called to be the Royal Priesthood. So how might that be lived out? You need to become a world transformer!

After Jesus Christ had had the 5000 men plus women and childen (a tenth of the population!) He dismissed the crowd and told the disciple to go away. He then climbed the mountain and prayed. Alone and away from worldly cares ... you too need a place to pray and to pray and to listen.

St. Paul talks about reading the Scriptures. So do you?

For whom are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

The Two Demonaics were healed by the Lord but the local people asked the Lord to depart from their region. You also maight be very tempted to ask the Lord to leave you as His presence will cause real disruption in your life too.

We can be enslaved by a multitude of things, expectations and the evil one himself. Alternatively we can be slaves of Christ and receive the freedom that comes with that. "I call you my friends" He said.

To know the One True God.

The Man Born Blind is able to sum up his bit of the Gospel in twelve words. What about you? What is the Gospel to you?

St. Photini was going about her daily business - probably things had been going wrong (otherwise why would she be there at such a hot time of day?). What happened next was that her life was completely changed. You too: allow for the Lord to come to you in your everyday life - the result will be surprising!

100lbs of spices - a glorious waste of spices! Your prayer and service - a glorious "waste" also but you'll find yourself experiencing the Resurrection!

Does anyone notice any difference in you when you've met with the Lord?