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Proper 21, 17th Sunday after Trinity 

27th September 2026

Reflection with readings below

“‘The ways of the Lord are unfair!’ Are they?” replies God. 

Ezekiel then takes the viewpoint of God to expose to the people how it is their unrighteousness, their iniquity, their failure to live according to God’s ways, that have brought them into such dire straights. It is not God’s ways that are at fault, but the people’s inability to live by them. Yet there is still the option of repentance and a fresh start with ‘a new heart and a new spirit.’

I believe we are in the same position as those hearing Ezekiel’s accusations. This week it is reported that ‘The planetary life support systems relied upon by humans have deteriorated to their worst levels ever recorded amid ongoing pollution and habitat destruction, according to a key yet grim annual update by scientists. Of the nine “planetary boundaries” that help determine whether life can flourish on Earth, seven are being breached at their highest ever levels of transgression, according to the latest planetary health check, a process that was established in 2009.

‘The seven key indicators in the danger zone include climate change, change in biosphere integrity, land system change, freshwater change, modification of biogeochemical flows, introduction of novel entities and, for the first time last year, ocean acidification.’ (1)

Yet despite all the evidence we are not, as global community, addressing this crisis. Rather it is seen as unfair to press fossil fuel corporations and states to end fossil fuel production. It is unfair to diminish their profits. It is unfair to encourage eating less meat and dairy, to encourage  a switch to a much healthier plant-rich diet. It is unfair to end the use of private jets and to shrink the air industry. It is unfair to curb the individuals right to choose even if that choice destroys the choice of a healthy life for others. It is unfair to restrain the expansion of AI, to limit the artificial creation of cute cats videos or to expect people to write their own essays. It is unfair to tax and redistribute the wealth of those who earn more in an hour than others earn in a year. It is unfair to redistribute wealth between nations – but it is not unfair for rich nations to spend more on weapons than they do on aid.

And so the global economy continue to do all the same things that have pushed, and continue to push, us into the danger zone that exists beyond safe planetary boundaries. And we continue to experience at an ever increasing rate the consequences – extreme weather events, rapidly declining biodiversity, growing water shortages, plastic pollution, disease and conflict. 

When will we repent? When will we listen and look, reflect and learn, the ways of God – the only ways that leads to the flourishing of all life? Just as was offered to the people of the days of Ezekiel, God will reinvigorate us with a new heart and spirit, if we but cast off our sinful lifestyles.

Looking into the etymology of the word ‘authority’, in the 1300s one understanding was of the “author whose statements are regarded as correct.” And in the 1400s “power derived from good reputation; power to convince people, capacity for inspiring trust.” In our present age we are well aware of the scope for fake news, for disinformation and misinformation spread by disingenuous news channels, by discreditable individuals and by social media, to know that you cannot always trust the authority behind their stories. We know too how easily those fake or disingenuous view points are funded and spread by large, wealthy -often shady – third parties. 

So maybe the Jewish authorities were right to question the authority behind Jesus’ words. But it seems as if they had not done their homework. If they are now questioning Jesus’s authority one presumes they have made previous inquiries of other people in similar circumstances, of whom John the Baptist would have been an obvious candidate. Back in chapter 11 of Matthew’s gospel, John the Baptist asks this very question of Jesus: ‘Who are you? Are you God’s expected one?’ To which Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor”. (Matthew 11:4-5) In other words Jesus is saying, Look at the things I do, and you will know who I am; pay attention to my actions and you will know who sent me.

It seems as if the Jewish authorities have neither done this with reference to John the Baptist nor with reference to Jesus. The gospels record multiple examples of deeds and actions that point to Jesus’s intimate relationship with God. Indeed Jesus has given this very teaching in chapter 7 “By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognise them.” (Matthew 7:16-20)

Jesus then presents the Jewish authorities with a telling parable: It is what you actually do, rather than what you say you will do, that matters. In a sense it is immaterial on whose authority you are given an instruction – what counts is whether you fulfil that instruction. Have the authorities fulfilled the instructions given to them by God? Do their deeds reflect their words? Having heard God’s word, have they followed through with action?

The letter to the Philippians reminds us that we are called to be like Christ: to have the same mindset as Christ, to have the same love for one another, to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but to act in humility, to look not to our own interests, but to the interests of others. 

And that takes us back to the plight of life on earth. Those who have discerned and know God’s wisdom, those who have studied the Book of Nature, those who have a grounded and robust scientific understanding, all tell us that we are at a crisis point. Do we hear and respect the authority they have? They also tell us what it that we must to do if we are to dial down this disaster, how we must reform our lives – be less greedy, live in harmony with nature, restore what has been damaged and share equitably  what remains. Do we act on what they tell us? Sadly it seems as if many nations, businesses and institutions, say ‘yes’ but do ‘no’.

The challenge for those of us who follow Christ is to be the ones who both say ‘yes’ and do ‘yes’! And not only that, we must also, just as Jesus did, just as Ezekiel did, stand up and tell truth to those in power, demand repentance  – ie a complete change of direction – and press for a new, genuinely enacted, God-led, approach to living our lives on earth. 

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/21/planetary-boundaries-breached-scientists-warn-climate-crisis?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32

The word of the Lord came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die. 

Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live. 

Psalm 25:1-8

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.

Philippians 2:1-13

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 

who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death–
even death on a cross. 

Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name, 

so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. 

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Matthew 21:23-32

When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.”

Wisdom learned from creation

26th September 2026 (in between the equinox and a full moon)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of her hands. Psalm 19:1

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 – Psalm 119: 4-6, 18-19,27

You, O Lord, have charged that we should diligently keep your commandments. 

O that my ways were made so direct that I might keep your statutes.

Then should I not be put to shame, because I have regard for all your commandments.

Open my eyes, that I may see the wonders of your law.

I am a stranger upon earth; hide not your commandments from me.

Make me understand the way of your commandments, and so shall I meditate on your wondrous works. 

If  the idea of obeying commandments sounds too authoritarian, too black and white, think of God’s commandments as the instruction manual for the world, the user’s guide, best practices for living – or even as an expanded set of the rules of nature.

A further reading, Isaiah 55: 6-9:

As the rain and the snow come down from above, and return not again but water the earth,

‘Bringing forth life and giving growth, seed for sowing and bread to eat,

‘So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me fruitless,

‘But it will accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the task I gave it.’

A Response:-

For the sun and moon 

that mete out the seasons,

and measure out the days and weeks:

We thank you, Lord our creator.

For chlorophyll and photosynthesis, 

for leaves and phytoplankton,

that turn sunlight into energy: 

We thank you, Lord our creator.

For H2O in all its forms,

for evaporation and precipitation that waters the earth 

and quickens life.

We thank you, Lord our creator.

For the air we breathe, 

a fluctuating mix of gases 

whose balance must be conserved for life to bloom:

We thank you, Lord our creator.

For rocks and mountains,  

erosion and sedimentation, 

that lays out a rich blanket of soil: 

We thank you, Lord our creator.

For DNA building blocks 

that see life adapt and evolve, 

reminders of our network of kinship:

We thank you, Lord our creator.

For flora and fauna that twist and twine, 

building habitats and 

grounding ecosystems:

We thank you, Lord our creator.

As ‘Johnny-come-lately’ to this world,

Lord grant us the humility to learn from what is already here, 

to look with awe and wonder at what is happily established, 

to treat with respect ecosystems built up over millennia, 

to study and understand the laws of nature, 

to observe and respond to the natural cycles that maintain life,

to cooperate with others 

and with sensitivity to share this space where all can be at home.

Amen.

The Grace

Counting on … day 92

25th September 2026

Shortages of cocoa beans invariably leads to higher prices for the beans and that usually means even higher prices increase for chocolate. 

Whilst chocolate is made from cocoa beans, other ingredients come too. The cocoa beans themselves, after fermenting and drying, roasting and crushing, are finally ground to separate the oily part of the bean from the mass. The former is the coco butter and the later the cocoa solid or powder. These two are then recombined along with sugar, sometimes milk and various flavourings. 

One way in which manufacturers can reduce costs is by replacing some of the cocoa butter with palm oil. Palm oil is cheap to buy (although its cost in terms of damage to the environment is high) and it easily replicates the melt-in-the-mouth texture of cocoa butter.  It is also a more tolerant ingredient and makes the ‘tempering’ of the chocolate easier. 

However using palm oil rather than cocoa butter doesn’t reward the cocoa farmer. 

For those of us who can afford to do so, we can be selective in choosing which chocolate we eat. Ethical Consumer regularly updates its rating of different chocolate manufacturers.

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/food-drink/shopping-guide/ethical-chocolate
https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/palm-oil/palm-oil-free-chocolate

Cocoa and chocolate terms defined – https://www.global-organics.com/2019/11/22/chocolate-and-cocoa-terms-defined/

Green Tau: Prayer as a means of witness

24th September 2026

Every Wednesday a group from Christian Climate Action holds a series of vigils outside Shell headquarters, BP, the Houses of Parliament and one other relevant institution such as the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. 

This week outside Shell a passerby asked why we were praying – which I thought was a good question.

Firstly to witness to the destructive harm that oil companies like Shell are causing to the climate and the environment, and the consequential impact that has on the lives of people here and across the globe. To witness that the Earth with all its beauty and intricacy is God’s creation and is deeply loved by God, and is therefore deeply loved by us. 

To witness this message to both passers-by and to those who going into Shell HQ. To draw their attention to the reality of the climate and biodiversity crisis, to draw their attention to the need for urgent action, and to encourage them to be part of that pro-active response.

Part of that proactive response is to transition from both using and producing fossil fuels, so our prayers are also for Shell’s employees – especially those in executive positions – and for those in the financial world investing in Shell and the oil industry, that they would perceive the destructive consequences of their industry, that their hearts would be softened and that they would transition their skills and resources to  use them to develop a thriving renewable energy industry.

Secondly to pray for the healing and well being of those affected by climate change and by the ecological and economic disasters that is causing. Each week we include in our prayers current concerns such as the recent glacial tsunami in Nepal, or the various typhoons impacting communities across Asia, or the heatwaves that afflicted Europe, or the droughts in Africa. 

Thirdly because it helps us. We can express to God how we feel, sharing our grief, our concern and our hopes. It is better to do something than to do nothing. 

Over the years we have been maintaining this vigil we do now get more positive rather than negative responses from passers-by. This may well be the result of this hot dry summer which has brought the impact of the climate crisis so much closer to home.

We get very little interaction from Shell staff – other than for the security personnel who are always friendly. Our presence however does empower us to speak with confidence at Shell’s AGM – two or three of us have asked questions of the Board at each of the last meetings. The Board acknowledges that they are aware of our presence but have yet to respond to our asks.

We will nevertheless continue to witness through prayer to God’s wisdom and grace .

Counting on … day 91

24th September 2026

Cocoa plants are particularly susceptible to unseasonable weather, especially intensive rainfall and drought. This has already impacted this year’s production and will continue to be an issue with the ongoing impact of El Niño. Most cocoa production comes from small farms, and at that scale the impact of a poor harvest can be difficult to cope with. Poor harvests impact both producers and consumers. Cocoa farmers have long suffered from low prices for their crops. To some extent this can be alleviated through Fair Trade certification whereby the farmers receive a guaranteed premium price. 

However there are various other projects that seek to improve the profitability of small scale cocoa farms. These, for example, may include growing additional compatible crops such as yams, cassava, rice and poultry. Silviculture where taller growing trees provide shade and an additional crop, are a good solution. The RSPB sells chocolate made from cocoa grown in this way where a particular benefit is in providing restored forest habitats for native birds. 

Shade grown cocoa farming is to be encouraged as a better option for soil health, climate and biodiversity, than the sadly frequent practice of deforestation where natural tropical forests are cleared to make space for cocoa plants. 

Another approach is to manufacture the chocolate in the country of origin. This way a greater proportion of the money earned stays with the local communities.

Another potential source of income for the farmer is to recycle the cocoa pulp that surrounds the coco bean and which conventionally is discarded. 

Further reading

Fairtrade chocolate – https://www.fairtrade.net/uk-en/products-and-producers/fairtrade-products/chocolate.html

RSPB chocolate – https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/the-power-of-forest-friendly-chocolate

https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/rspb-dark-drinking-chocolate.html

Cocoa and deforestation – https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/forests/chocolate-giants-fuel-deforestation-in-west-africas-last-rainforest/

https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?15675941/Business-as-usual-cocoa-Is-driving-a-new-wave-of-global-forest-destruction-warns-new-WWF-report

And https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/may/22/cocoa-planting-is-destroying-protected-forests-in-west-africa-study-finds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Chocolate manufactured in Africa – https://www.tasteatlas.com/best-rated-chocolates-in-africa

Reusing cocoa pulp – https://www.wri.org/insights/hidden-benefits-cacao-waste

From bean to bar: how chocolate is produced – https://worldcocoafoundation.org/from-bean-to-bar

Counting on … day 90

23rd September 2026

An article featured in the Conversation, highlighted five foods that are going to cost more this winter as a result of extreme weather events, global conflict et al. These were chocolate, potatoes, leafy greens, olive oil and bread (wheat).

Over the next few days I’ll reflect on some of the impacts.

https://theconversation.com/five-foods-that-could-cost-even-more-this-winter-and-why-292419?utm_campaign=the-daily-39638&utm_content=the-daily-39638_uk%7C2%7C39638%7C41ea8a7e&utm_medium=email&utm_source=braze&utm_term=Five+foods+that+could+cost+even+more+this+winter+%E2%80%93+and+why

Proper 20, 16th Sunday after Trinity 

20th September 2026

Reflection with readings below

God is a God of mercy, of forgiveness, of second chances.

Likewise we are called to be as generous and as forgiving. But to forgive, is not to condone or encourage the continuance of words and actions that are contri to God’s wisdom. Rather than condoning shortcomings – whether in ourselves or others – we are called to encourage and put into practice lifestyles that pursue God’s wisdom. And as the letter to the Philippians reminds us, our Christian calling will include sacrifice – will include putting the needs of others before our own.

We all have a duty to look at our own actions, to see what is contri to God’s wisdom, and to repent and reform our lives. We also have a duty to speak out when we see wrong happening in the lives of others, when we see wrong being condoned, and when we see systemic wrong.

In examining ourselves and the world around us we are not to judge according to our own desires and bias, but according to God’s wisdom – and we may be surprised, even discomforted, when this seems to favour others rather than ourselves; when this seems to involve us in making sacrifices, putting the needs of others before ourselves – or what can be even harder –  putting the needs of others before our own families and communities. Here we might empathise with Jonah’s grievance that God, having judged the wicked behaviour of the Ninevites, is so quick to shower them with benefits when they repent, whilst Jonah goes unrewarded. 

We might equally empathise with the all-day workers in the vineyard whose long and gruelling working receives no greater reward than the light-weight input of the latecomers. I think we might equally find it hard to persuade the all-day workers that they were not being penalised, to explain that in reality the whole community benefits when all are provided for equally. This understanding is countercultural to many norms of the present day. Indeed the political and economic systems of our world reinforce the idea – and practice – of rewarding those who are already advantaged, and disadvantaging those who are already struggling. 

This week three such instances come to mind. The Guardian has been highlighting the newly published Register of British Slave Traders that reveals the widespread extent to which British individuals and organisations promoted and benefitted from the transatlantic slave trade. Profits accruing from the economic advantage of cheap labour plus the profits accruing from commandeering the natural resources of other countries through colonialism, boosted the British economy ensuring that we are today one of the richest nations in the world. Many will argue that as much as we abhor slavery, the era of the transatlantic slave trade is in the past and no one from the current generation can in any way be responsible for what happened then. Nevertheless the economic well being we enjoy is rooted in those profits. Should we not then be pursuing restorative justice? 

Next week at the UN conference in New York, members will be considering the creation of an International Panel on Inequality- similar to the International Panel on Climate Change – to find a way of reversing the acceleration distribution of wealth across the globe. Between 2000 and 2024, the richest 1 % of the global population has captured 41 % of all new wealth, while the bottom 50 % saw their wealth increase by just 1 %. And 83% of countries, representing about 90 % of the world’s population, have highly unequal societies. Further data suggests that accumulated and inherited wealth — with an estimated $70 trillion expected to be passed on over the next decade — as a key driver entrenching inequality and undermining social mobility, fairness, and opportunity for lower-income populations. Inequality invariably leads to democratic decline, political instability and the potential for conflict. Would we be willing to see a global redistribution of wealth and resources as well as a redistribution of wealth within our own society? Should we be willing to see our personal wealth taxed? 

Nepal is seeking a payout from the Climate loss and damage fund to enable them to rebuild lives and infrastructure destroyed by the glacial tsunami. This fund was established in 2022 to pay for loss and damage that results from climate change events, with the intention that the  developed nations would each make appropriate financial contributions. Those nations who had contributed most to the climate crisis through – and benefited most from –  decades of coal, oil and gas fuelled industrialisation, would contribute most to the fund. However many nations, including the UK, reneged on the scale of their promises, and the fund is already struggling to pay out on the 100 plus prior claims already in the queue ahead of Nepal. Again the question has to be are we willing to forego some of our wealth and income to aid those most impacted by the consequences of our actions?

In each example I would argue that God’s justice demands a self sacrificing generosity. Equally I would suggest that to do so will not only benefit the recipients, but ourselves too. For it is the whole community benefits when all are provided for equally. Like the all-day workers in the vineyard we may initially resent what is being asked of us, but when we step back and see the benefits of the in-coming of God’s kingdom here on earth, we will share in the rejoicing.

How do we achieve this in practice I’m not sure. It could be by giving sacrificial to appropriate charities. It could be by campaigning alongside groups such as Christian Aid, Oxfam and Global Justice. It could be by campaigning directly to change government policy. It could be by encouraging and supporting the reparative justice objectives of the Church of England’s Spire Project. It could be by talking with our family, with our friends, normalising the concept, rooting it as a key part of our Christian discipleship.

What is important is that is those with the most wealth and income who contribute, not those with the least. And that it is those with least who then benefit. 

Jonah 3:10-4:11

When God saw what the people of Nineveh did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. And now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” And the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city.

The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?” And he said, “Yes, angry enough to die.” Then the Lord said, “You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labour and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?”

Psalm 145:1-8 

1 I will exalt you, O God my King, *
and bless your Name for ever and ever.

2 Every day will I bless you *
and praise your Name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *
there is no end to his greatness.

4 One generation shall praise your works to another *
and shall declare your power.

5 I will ponder the glorious splendour of your majesty *
and all your marvellous works.

6 They shall speak of the might of your wondrous acts, *
and I will tell of your greatness.

7 They shall publish the remembrance of your great goodness; *
they shall sing of your righteous deeds.

8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.

Philippians 1:21-30

To me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well– since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” 

Trees of Life

19th September 2026

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. Proverbs 11:30a

Sovereign God, you 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: As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

An acorn is a comical thing

with a little hat that could be a cup.

Its pointed tip – that could be its bottom – 

is not going to drill its way into the earth. 

It waits for the rook or the squirrel 

to snaffle it and bury it deep in the soil, 

where after hours of dark contemplation 

it will emerge as a slip of a thing, 

with rusty red leaves that unfold into green.

An oak’s life starts in a very small way.

Lord God, in small and even comical ways, 

let our faith grow. 

From small beginnings help us sow 

seeds that will transform your world.

A reading: I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, so that all may see and know, all may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.  Isaiah 41:19-20

Rooted together in community, 

colonising land that might otherwise be void, 

trees are not loners. 

Companions, they support each other, 

as neighbours they support others, 

forming delicate ecosystems 

where life is in the balance. 

Lord God, let our faith 

create neighbours and communities.

Rooted in togetherness, 

may your kingdom come.

A Reading: He said, “Out of the eater came something to eat; Out of the strong came something sweet.” Three days later they had still not figured out what the riddle meant. Judges 14:14

Ancient oak, 

wrinkled and gnarled, 

gnawed at by time, 

even in death you provide safe lodging 

and sustenance for others. 

With grace you return to the earth 

the nourishment you harvested: 

a life time of receiving and giving.

Lord God, let our faith 

nourish generations to come 

just as we gain from those who have gone before. 

May the power of the resurrection 

sustain us with eternal life.

Amen.

The Grace

Proper 19, 15th Sunday after Trinity 

13th September 2026

Reflection with readings below

The reading from Genesis talks of the gift of forgiveness – its ability to dispel fear and restore relationships – and the importance and freedom of not holding a grudge. Today’s psalm expands on this by declaring how it is that God bestows benefits on us: forgiving our sins, healing our infirmities (our shortcomings), redeems and gives value to our lives, satisfies our needs, and executes righteousness and judgement for us all. All this is encapsulated in the phrase ‘compassion and mercy’. 

God’s character is to show compassion and mercy to all creation. Our calling is to imitate God, or calling on the language of Genesis 1, we who are made in the image of God, are to ‘image’ in our behaviour the behaviour of God. We are to show compassion and mercy to all creation. We are to forgive sins – and not hold grudges. This may mean letting go of privileges or rights or possessions or land, that we previously valued more than our love for our neighbour.  We are to heal broken relationships and mend what we have damaged. This includes making peace with those we deem our enemies but also establishing right relationships with those we have abused. 

Some of these are inter human relationships such as our failure to ensure our young people have access to loving families, to accessible education, to green spaces, secure homes and safe streets. Or our failure to provide loving homes and attentive care for our elderly citizens. Or our failure to take any responsibility for those in other lands affected by colonial oppression, climate change etc.

Some of these are relationships with wildlife, and here we have clearly failed when we see and measure the extent to which populations have declined and species have become extinct. Only this week did I read that one in in nine migratory birds are threatened with extinction and 45% of migratory species such as cuckoos, turtle doves and Arctic terns are in decline, which are overwhelmingly caused by humans and include the intensification of farming, unsustainable hunting, pollution, invasive species and global heating. (1) 

Some of these are relationships with domesticated creatures, hens forced to live severely curtailed lives (often not more than 6 weeks for a bird that could live as many years) in cramped lives devoid of access to the natural world; cows that must give birth annually only to have their baby removed within hours, and who may have their own lives prematurely curtailed after 3 or 4 years. 

Some of those are relationships with ecosystems such as soils which we pollute with herbicides and pesticides, and rivers that we pollute with a similar cocktail of chemicals to which we add sewage and industrial waste. Or with ancient woodlands and tropical forest which we have cleared to replace them with monocultures of Sitka fir, palm oil and soya beans for yet more cattle fodder.

We are to redeem life which must include restoring lives that we have damaged – lives not just of people but of plants and animals, of river systems and marine environments, of the air we breath and the water we drink.

We are to satisfy the needs of all our neighbours – ensuring food and homes, and environments within which to thrive. Ensuring provision for health, for education, and opportunities for fulfilling work. Ensuring a fair sharing of wealth and resources.

We are to act righteously and ensure justice for all. And it’s not that we don’t know what is needed!! And it’s not that we can’t do this!! We have the wealth and the resources globally to ensure everyone can live sustainably. We have the knowledge and the skills to effect this. We have enough visionaries and prophets to be able to visualise this as a reality. What we seem to lack is the will! We are so reluctant to share our wealth, to change our lifestyles, to adapt our diets, to forgive and make peace, to pursue justice and ensure restoration.

Here we need to turn again to our faith, to studying and drawing strength from scripture, from the prayer and practice that draws us closer to Jesus, following more closely his way, for studying the book of nature and realising and imbuing the love of our creator. We must let this power is into action – for action is needed! 

Action cannot be a nice extra. Actions cannot be what someone else does. Action cannot wait until everyone steps forwards. !

We must make the changes in our own lives, to speak out where  God’s will is ignored, where error and damage persist, to help others and to receive their love and help in return –  do it now, for that is to act in the image of God.

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/11/migratory-birds-species-threatened-extinction-decline-global-report?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Genesis 50:15-21

Realising that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them. 

Psalm 103: 1-13

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits.

3 He forgives all your sins *
and heals all your infirmities;

4 He redeems your life from the grave *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;

5 He satisfies you with good things, *
and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

6 The Lord executes righteousness *
and judgment for all who are oppressed.

7 He made his ways known to Moses *
and his works to the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.

9 He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.

13 As a father cares for his children, *
so does the Lord care for those who fear him.

Romans 14:1-12

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.” 

So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

Matthew 18:21-35

Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 

“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Mindful Sauntering: the footsteps of St Francis

12th September 2026

There is a suggestion that a saunterer is a person walking to the Holy Land, coming from the French ‘à la sainte-terre’. So let’s consider sauntering to be a form of holy or blessed walking.

4th October is the Feast of St Francis. He is often seen as the environmentalists’ saint because of his love of nature. It wasn’t just that Francis enjoyed the company of birds, it was that he understood all parts of creation to be of equal value. He saw birds and animals, sun and wind, people rich and poor, well and ill, Christian and Muslim, infectious and healthy, as his brothers and sisters – and all therefore children of God. And as much as he treated them with care, love and respect so he expected the, to treat each other in the same way. In this hope I am sure he was often disappointed but never dissuaded. Francis wrote The Canticle of Creatures with this mutual respect in mind. 

Can we show mutual respect for both our fellow human beings and for the vast interconnectedness of all parts of creation? Can we both show repentance for where we have caused harm and be proactive in healing what we have damaged?

Read the Canticle, and then as you walk pay attention to the wildlife, the people, and the seasonal changes around you. 

Can you offer praise like Brother Sun? Can you offer praise like Sister, Mother Earth? 

Can you receive gratefully what the birds and the plants give us as brother and sister? 

Can you give back to them as generously?

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,

Yours are the praises, the glory,

and the honour and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong

and no human is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be you, my Lord,

with all Your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun,

who is the day,

and through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful

and radiant with great splendour;

and bears a likeness of You, Most High one.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through Sister Moon and the stars,

in heaven You formed them

clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through Brother Wind,

and through the air, cloudy and serene,

and every kind of weather

through which you give sustenance to your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through Sister water,

who is very useful and humble

and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through Brother fire,

through whom You light the night,

and he is beautiful and playful

and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through our Sister Mother Earth,

who sustains and governs us,

and who produces various fruit

with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through those who give pardon for Your love,

and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed those who endure in peace,

for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through our Sister Bodily Death,

from whom no one living can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are those whom death

will find in Your most holy will,

for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks

and serve Him with great humility.