Category: Uncategorized

Advent 3: spot the jam sandwich

If you have been walking in the mountains in Switzerland, you will know to look out for jam sandwiches. These stripes painted on to rocks mark the mountain paths in between the sign posts. They are your confirmation that you are indeed still on the right path.

And whether you turn to the right or turn to the left, your ears will hear a message behind you: “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 

Isaiah 52:7

Advent day 2: a positive sign

Circular blue traffic signs in the UK give positive directions. This blue cycle signs instructs users that this route is for cyclists. If you are a cyclist it confirms your right to cycle along the path. 

Positive signs are always an encouragement. God knows we need affirmation and encouragement as we journey through life.

 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight” Isaiah 42: 1a 

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Child, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11

Advent Day 1: point me in the right direction!

This Advent I am revisiting a series of reflections from a couple of years ago

Thinking of Advent as a season of signs, we might see those signs not as destination boards that confirm where we will end up, nor as a timetable. Rather we might see them as way markers that confirm that we are on the right path. So even if we can’t see our final destination, if we can’t see what’s over the hill or around the  next corner, at least we can be certain that we are on the right road.

pastedGraphic.pngWhilst having a person on constant standby to point travellers in the right way might be fail proof, it would be unsustainable. Instead we can replace the person with a sign, a sign with arms and perhaps even hands with pointing fingers.

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Psalm 25:4

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6a

First Sunday of Advent

1st December 2024

Reflection with readings below

The readings during Advent and especially those used in carol services, are full of pointers and signs, telling us that amazing things are about to happen – those chosen from the Old Testament tend to be full of promise that things are about to change and that good times are coming. Those from the New Testament, such as today’s gospel are more cautionary: good times will come but the journey there may troubled – which is perhaps a reflection of Jesus’s understanding that humans are prone to greed, self-interest, disagreements and other less than admirable behaviour. And certainly the need for salvation seems as great as ever when we look around our world today.

Whilst it is perhaps easier to pick out Old Testament prophecies that point to and are fulfilled by the narrative of Jesus’ birth (hind sight helps!) prophecies concerning the as yet to be revealed future are less clear. Signs that point to Jesus’ birth are readily discerned; signs that show us how we are to attain the fulfilment of the coming of God’s kingdom on earth are less discernible. And yet according to the gospels – well two of them – that the first Christmas was anything but certain: Mary’s betrothed status was in doubt, accommodation for the birth was a last minute arrangement and the welfare of the child looked very dodgy in the face of political oppression. And that is still how life is for many people across the globe – uncertain, in doubt, last minute, threatened.

Life on earth is about uncertainty. It can be unpredictable, at times irrational. It can be manipulated by those with power. It can be finite and imbued with suffering. Jesus holds no bars when talking about what may happen. But at the same time there are moments of pure bliss, of overwhelming joy, of happiness, of miracles and unexpected surprises. There are moments when we experienced the indwelling of the kingdom of God right here, right now!

As we begin our journey through Advent, maybe we need to be less concerned about certainty and more ready alert for signs that reveal God’s wisdom. May we be more focused in discerning the way God would have us live, the way that brings in the kingdom of God. May we cultivate a practice of living each day reliant on faith in God rather than in believing the propaganda of a wayward world. May we be looking for signs that tell us how to love our neighbour and how in return to receive their love for us. And not just our human neighbours but all those living beings with who we share a common home.

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.” 

Psalm 25:1-9

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Luke 21:25-36

Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 

A voice cries out 

30th November 2024

Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22

You Lord, are the source of all good things:

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation:

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives:

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Jeremiah 23: 5-6

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

A reflection on Isaiah 40:3-5

A voice cries out:  In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord –

Let us open our hearts and minds to receive the wisdom of God, 

to attune our ears to the word of God, 

and focus our eyes to see the wonder of God’s creation. 


A voice cries out: Make straight in the desert a highway for our God –

Let us set straight the trajectory of decisions 

that will cut carbon emissions, 

that will cut the use and abuse of plastics

and that will target a sustainable future.

A voice cries out: Let every valley be lifted up –

Let us share our national wealth 

to cancel the impossible debts of the majority south, 

to give them the financial power to adapt to climate change 

and to lift their people out of poverty.

A voice cries out: Let every mountain and hill be made low – 

Let us remove all that  impedes the development of other economies, 

let us share our technology and resources, 

let us remove unequal trade restrictions 

and let us be ready to learn from others in return.


A voice cries out: Let the uneven ground become level,
    and the rough places a plain –

Let us make level the global playing field, 

treat everyone as equals, removing all prejudice and bias, 

welcoming the stranger and the migrant,

and embracing everyone as brother and sister.

A voice cries out: Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed –

Let us recognise that we are all one creation, 

that together we reveal the glory of God’s gift to us, 

and all of us our able to reflect that glory throughout our lives.

A voice cries out: Let all people shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Counting on … day 225

29th November 2024

Today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

“In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II)) In resolution 60/37 of 1 December 2005, the Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organise an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN.”(1)

This year’s exhibition is entitled  “Gaza, Palestine: A Crisis of Our Humanity”  and is displayed in the Visitors’ Lobby of the UN’s General Assembly Building. 

Most of us won’t get to see the exhibition! But the UK’s Palestinian Solidarity Campaign has invited us all to display a poster of solidarity(2).

Just imagine if every single house in every street displayed this poster! Wouldn’t that be an impactful exhibition of solidarity!!

(1) https://www.un.org/en/observances/International-day-of-solidarity-with-the-palestinian-people

(2) https://palestinecampaign.org/wp-content/uploads/Solidarity-with-Palestine-Poster.jpg

Counting on … day 224

28th  November 2024

This is the week of Black Friday, followed by Cyber Monday. Are these the Feast Days of the Consumerist faith? Are they not something that we should be challenging as they encourage people to spend money on things they don’t need and further deplete our limited world resources? 

Here is an informative piece from the Ethical Consumer.

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/retailers/boycott-black-friday-cyber-monday?utm_source=ECRA+Monthly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e4367a24f5-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_11_22_blackfri_subs&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-a4394a8255-320424697

Counting on … day 222

26th November 2024

Is it possible to adopt a zero plastic lifestyle?

As with oil and gas, much of our economy is tied into the use of plastics – plastic has very many useful characteristics being light weight,  mouldable, waterproof, rustproof etc. To avoid plastic is therefore difficult – it is used in making shoes and clothes, household goods, toys, medical equipment, plumbing pipe etc. But there was a time when we didn’t have plastics but still made useful things, and we have many chemists and engineers who are developing plastic alternatives whilst retaining many of the advantages of plastic.

What we can do is to make a conscious effort to avoid plastic wherever possible. We don’t need to buy sweets or sandwiches or vegetables wrapped in plastic. We don’t need to buy plastic toothbrushes or combs or washing up bowls. We don’t need to use plastic cups and bottles. 

And whilst plastic recycling isn’t the answer, whilst we still have plastic in circulation, reusing what we already have (and keeping it in good condition) and recycling what we don’t need, is still a good thing to do. 

Counting on … day 221

25th November 2024

Today sees the start of the final round of negotiations at the Global Plastics Treaty taking place  in Busan, Korea. The aim is to reach a global agreement to cut plastic production. At present it is predicted that global plastic production will increase  by 300% by 2050 whilst consuming between a fifth and a third of our remaining carbon budget. (1)

Whilst recycling is a key part of reducing production, even the fossil fuel industry now agrees that recycling is not easy and will not be possible in many cases. (2)

For more info – https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/24/world-unable-cope-10-years-talks-un-global-treaty-to-end-plastic-waste?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

  1. https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/resources/global-plastics-treaty-inc5-briefing/
  2. https://www.npr.org/2024/02/15/1231690415/plastic-recycling-waste-oil-fossil-fuels-climate-change