29 August 2021

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Bible readings for today

• Song of Solomon 2:8-13
• Psalms 45:1-2, 6-9
• James 1:17-27
• Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Collect

Forgiving God,
​your way is greater than human comprehension.
Open our hearts and minds to truly understand your way of inclusion,
​that we may know the power of grace and mercy
modelled by your Son,
and live as reflections of him,
Through Jesus Christ our Liberator,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
​Amen

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

In today's passage, Jesus talks to the Pharisees about the rules they have, to catch people out. Today they asked him about why his disciples weren't keeping strict rules around eating, and Jesus reminds them that having a clean heart is even more important. The words we use can be a reflection of the state of our heart. 

Washing hands

Having spent the last 18months living in a world with Covid-19, where good hand hygiene is even more important than ever, it may be tempting to read today's gospel passage and think that the Pharisees and scribes have a good point! Its important to remember that they were not concerned with good sanitation, but with the keeping of lots of rules and regulations that would make someone ritually clean. Their rules are for exclusion, not including people into God's kingdom.

Quick Questions

• What are some rules that you have to follow? (at home, at school, at church)
• Why do we have rules?
• What would happen for example if there were no road signs?
• In today’s reading, Jesus said “You disobey God’s commands in order to obey what humans have taught.” -- what do you think he meant by that?
• What are some rules that Jesus has taught us?
• How can we remind ourselves about those rules?

Prayer Jenga

Prayer Jenga uses the popular game to encourage all ages to pray. Write prayer ideas on each of the blocks, and assemble your tower. As each person removes a block, they read out the prayer idea on the block and pray a quick prayer for it. It is a great way to get all ages praying out loud, in a fun and creative way. 
Thanks to the Kitchen Table Project for the great idea. 

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Prayer Placemats

Using the paper, pens and craft materials around your house, design a placemat for someone else in the family, reminding them how much you love them. The passage from today reminds us that our heart is the source of the words we share, so take a moment to pray for that person and share words of encouragement, hope and love. Share them with each other at dinner time, and take a moment to explain what your picture represents.

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Gospel Conversations

Peg Riley, until recently long-time chaplain of St Margaret's College in Christchurch, joins Bishop Kelvin, Alec Clark and Michael to dig deep into a potentially tricky passage of Mark's gospel. What does it mean to balance the inner and outer life of faith, to ensure the walls come down between us and others, to focus once again on the core of it all: love?

Scripture Reflections

"Mark frequently depicts the scribes and Pharisees as habitual opponents of Jesus, for ever attempting to trap or trip him, to embarrass him in front of his followers and undermine his mana. The contrast Jesus makes between outward piety (Paul and Luther’s “works”) and inward devotion (akin to holy eros) silences, for now, the schemers. A similar and similarly unsuccessful trap, more obscure to modern readers, is depicted in the omitted verses. Love, compassion, and justice will not be silenced." - Rev. Michael Godfrey

James1:17-27

The reading from James ties in well with the gospel passage today, reminding the reader of the importance of words that match the heart. 

Inspiring people: Helen Keller

Helen Keller became a celebrated author, educator, and activist who believed in equality for people with disabilities. Before she made history as the first deaf and blind person to graduate from college, Helen was a smart kid who loved learning. She overcame many challenges to learn how to read, write, and talk. She spoke up for other people with disabilities so they could get equal rights. Explore how Helen Keller went from being a young girl in Alabama to the world-famous First Lady of Courage." - Book Depository

The importance of words

The power of words: "words are the ingredients and elements of creation itself. When god set out to create the universe, he did not go into the laboratory and pull things off the shelf, and make compounds, and from there create new things. Instead, when God wanted to create, he used words." St Peter's Columbus

Leaders resources

Church of Scotland's resources for today can be found here

Leaders overview

The Book of James - Francis Chan