In our Gospel reading today we have heard a passage which describes the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.   It is such an important passage that all three of the synoptic Gospels recount the story.

One of the questions I often get asked is what is the point?  What is the point of all these signs and symbols we use in church?  Surely they are a bit unnecessary in our modern world?  Lots of churches do things differently, so why is it that we maintain rituals, customs and traditions?

How do you meet God?

It’s a question we have been looking at in preparation classes for confirmation and it is a very relevant question for all of us. When was the last time you considered how and where you meet God?  When did you reflect on God’s calling to you and his impact on your life?  When did you explore ideas and concepts such as sin and evil, grace and forgiveness?

I want you to travel with me to the Mount of Olives.  It is a beautiful place, a place that sits immediately opposite the city of Jerusalem.  High on a hill side you look down to the Kedron Valley, the Garden of Gethsemane and the climb up to the old city gates.

Matthew 5 13-20

How to be a good parish priest?  This is the question which lies at the heart of my ministry and no doubt the ministry of hundreds of faithful Christians who are called to this role.

One of the great things about being in an Anglican is the fact that we have the use of a lectionary. This is the cycle of readings that cover every single day of the year and tell us what to read. It is so helpful because it usually themes readings and helps us make links between the Old and New Testaments. If you don’t have access to one and would like to give it a try then I would thoroughly recommend the one we use here; do ask for more details.