SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2020

Reflection for Sunday 28 June 2020

Today I awake and God is before me. At night, as I dreamt, He summoned the day; for God never sleeps, but patterns the morning with slithers of gold or glory in grey. Today I arise and Christ is beside me. He walked through the dark to scatter new light. Yes, Christ is alive, and beckons His people to hope and to heal, resist and invite. Today I affirm the Spirit within me at worship and work, in struggle and rest. The Spirit inspires all life which is changing from fearing to faith, from broken to blessed. Today I enjoy the Trinity round me, above and beneath, before and behind; the Maker, the Son, the Spirit together- they called me to life and call me their friend. (by John L. Bell and Graham Maule)

Reading : Matthew 10:5-14

The Mission of the Twelve

5 These twelve men were sent out by Jesus with the following instructions: “Do not go to any Gentile territory or any Samaritan towns. 6 Instead, you are to go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. 7 Go and preach, ‘The Kingdom of heaven is near!’ 8 Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, heal those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases, and drive out demons. You have received without paying, so give without being paid. 9 Do not carry any gold, silver, or copper money in your pockets; 10 do not carry a beggar's bag for the trip or an extra shirt or shoes or a walking stick. Workers should be given what they need.

11 “When you come to a town or village, go in and look for someone who is willing to welcome you, and stay with him until you leave that place. 12 When you go into a house, say, ‘Peace be with you.’ 13 If the people in that house welcome you, let your greeting of peace remain; but if they do not welcome you, then take back your greeting. 14 And if some home or town will not welcome you or listen to you, then leave that place and shake the dust off your feet.”

Since lockdown started I have been able to get out each day for a wee walk which has meant me not travelling any further than a 5 mile radius of the house.

This has been fine, but, last week great excitement, for on two days I was picked up by car and taken further afield. It was quite a novelty to drive through places I’d not seen for a while, and I spent both trips eagerly looking out the car window.

My next planned trips will be even further afield as I hope to visit daughters and grandchildren over the next three weeks.

Of course lots of planning will have to take place before I go. Checking bus and train times, making sure I have a face masks and a hand sanitiser with me. And, I need to remember to keep my distance from other travellers, and on meeting family to resist the urge to give them a big hug.

Travelling anywhere these days is certainly more complicated. And we have to be vigilant as we navigate our way in order to keep ourselves and others safe.

As lockdown restrictions ease worshiping communities have to navigate their way through a whole raft of rules and regulations in order to keep everyone safe, and I know many are finding all of this quite overwhelming.

We here at Braehead House have begun the process to move to re-opening, and look forward to welcoming folks back into our midst again.

The important thing though in all of this, is that we continue to proclaim the gospel of Christ, to heal the sick, and to offer a place of refuge and peace.

This is the commission of Jesus to the Church, and it’s interesting to note what he considered important for these first followers to take with them.

They were sent out with only the simplest of material goods, knowing that the essential possessions that they were taking were the spiritual ones.

They were to travel in faith, trusting that whatever happened, the Spirit of God would be with them.

A lesson for those early disciples, and surely a message for us today.

Let us pray.

Lord, we know that we are called, the message is quite clear, and yet, it’s often difficult to see the how we will navigate to obstacles on the road.

At times we feel so ill-equipped for this task.

And yet, we are prepared to say our yes, and undertake to challenge, responding to your call.

Trustfully treading our way, the only Way that leads to Life that leads to You.

Amen.

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, King of my heart. Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me, never to part. Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me, shield in the strife. Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising, light of my heart. Christ be in all hearts thinking about me, Christ be on all tongues telling of me. Christ be the vision in eyes that see me,