Proper 24, 17 October 2021 One of society’s favourite pastimes and forms of entertainment, especially in Europe, is sport: it has brought out people’s talents and pushed people to do things they thought they couldn’t.  Millions follow their favourite player or team.  There are many competitions, and football especially has become very lucrative.  Behind this is a spirit…

Proper 23, 10 October 2021 From today’s Gospel, people sometimes think that to be rich is wrong and we need to take a vow of poverty.  This is not correct: God wants to provide our needs and the needs of our loved ones.  However, sometimes we trust in the false security of riches.  All our riches in this life…

Thanksgiving Celebration, 3 October 2021 Celebrations are full of life and joy; we like to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, milestones and significant events in a country’s history or in people’s lives – including recovery from coronavirus.  They remind us of great things God has done, particularly in our own lives.  The deeper question is, “Why are we celebrating?”…

Diocesan Thanksgiving: Ordination service, 25 September 2021 Whenever we gather as a Church, it’s not for the work of man but the work of God.  This is a month to remember as we celebrate our 25th anniversary as a diocese.  This is not about a person, but the gift of apostolic succession to our Church, since which we’ve…

 by Canon Jim House (Introduction and conclusion by Bishop Elmer) Thanksgiving Celebration / Proper 20, 19 September 2021 It’s said that where there’s no testing, there’s no testimony.  Sometimes God allows us to go through difficult times, but He never leaves us.   When we go through the valley of the shadow of death, we rise up and…

by Canon Jim House Proper 19, 12 September 2021 The Old Testament reading says, “The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.”[1]  There are people we know who are weary; God wants us to be able to speak a word…

Proper 18, 5 September 2021 The world has experienced many pandemics.  As Christians, we shouldn’t be surprised, but understand that nothing happens arbitrarily: there’s always a spiritual component.  The religious leaders cried out for Jesus’ crucifixion, unaware of the plan of the evil one and that their actions were orchestrated.  God is calling Christians to pray, and not…

Proper 17, 29 August 2021 As we grow in life, we realise that what produces results – good or bad – is what we do constantly and consistently.  Olympic athletes practice not only when they feel like it, but as a way of life; we should pray not only when we need something, but as a…

Proper 16, 22 August 2021 Joshua 24:1-2, 14-15, John 6:56-69 What is true faith in God?  Is it superstition?  Is it mental assent (believing in God’s existence)?  I may believe God exists, but do I trust and follow Him?  I may believe Jesus Christ is God, but do I trust, follow and have a relationship with Him?  Genuine faith is to…