The Vicars Blog

Both of today’s readings are about the third person of the Trinity – God the Holy Spirit. And this morning I’d just like to say a few words about the Holy Spirit and then look briefly at these two passages and see how they’re relevant for us today. Firstly, the Holy...

In this passage we meet John the Baptist the prophet sent by God to prepare the hearts of the Jewish people to receive Jesus as their Messiah. There hadn’t been a prophet in Israel for about 400 years – so John’s entry onto the scene caused quite a stir – and some...

So we find ourselves once again in the season of Advent when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus – God made flesh – as a tiny baby 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. But Advent is also about preparing ourselves to be ready for Jesus’ second coming – and today’s...

Today’s Old Testament passage is the third of the four so-called "servant songs" in the second part of Isaiah, which we’ve been looking at recently. Written around 680 BC the “Suffering Servant” which these passages speak about, point to Jesus, the Messiah - the one...

Luke 11 verses 45 to 54 In today’s gospel reading from Luke we see Jesus being very critical of the religious leaders of his day – in particular the Pharisees and teachers of the law. So firstly who were these people? Well the Pharisees were a Jewish religious party...

How would you assess the state of All Saint’s church? What about the Diocese of Rochester…?  Or the C of E…? If God decided to tell you what he thought of All Saints, what would he say to you, his people, here? The book of Isaiah begins with God’s verdict on his...

I think there is a link between today’s readings - and I think the link is about God wanting to share his abundant life with us – and for us then to share that abundant life with us others. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul prays that the Ephesian church may be...

In today’s gospel reading from Mark – we see a lady being healed as she touches Jesus with faith and then we see a little girl who’s life has been prematurely cut short, being raised back to life by Jesus - the Lord of life. Healing is a complicated subject that can...

So today is Pentecost when we remember and celebrate the person of the Holy Spirit coming upon the first disciples to empower them to carry on Jesus’ work. And I say person, because the Holy Spirit is a person. He is the third person of the Trinity. He is referred to...

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Study Notes and Questions for Luke Chapter 24 vs 36 – 48   19th May 2015 Jesus appears once more to his followers after his resurrection, suddenly as if from nowhere. He comes to prove, to reassure, to explain, and to empower – just as he does today for...

Last week was the second Sunday of Easter and so Joe very appropriately spoke to us about the post resurrection appearance of Jesus to the doubting Thomas. If you missed his talk you can catch it on our website, and also the excellent study notes and questions that...