The Green Tau

Third Sunday of Easter

4th May 2025

Reflection with readings below

What is our calling in the new age of the resurrection?

Jesus after that first Easter morning, is the same but not the same. His physical appearance is the same or perhaps not; his physical abilities are the same but also not the same. And his relationship with his disciples is the same but not the same.

Last week we heard of Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus. She recognised who he was when he spoke her name. Thomas recognised the risen Jesus when he was shown Jesus’s wounds. And where as Thomas was invited to touch Jesus and feel his reality, Mary was told ‘Don’t touch, don’t cling to me.’ And whilst Mary has a unique personal encounter with the risen Jesus, Simon Peter and the beloved disciple don’t get to meet the risen Jesus until several hours later and then in the company of the whole group of the disciples.

In today’s gospel reading, the disciples – certainly those whose trade was fishing – have gone back to Galilee and back to their old jobs. Although as chance would have it, without much success! Close to dawn, they see Jesus on the shore – but as with Mary Magdalene – not recognising who he is. Then, whether it is because of his voice or because of the super abundant catch they make, the beloved disciple realises who it is. And Peter is overwhelmed and, in his desire to once more be with Jesus, jumps overboard the faster to get to the shore and Jesus.

As Jesus gives them breakfast, sharing the bread and fish with them, all the disciples know for true, that this is the risen Jesus. Then Jesus asks Peter three times ‘Do you love me?’. And because Peter does, Jesus gives him a task that will take a life time to complete – to feed, to care, to ‘shepherd’ all those who are or will become Jesus’s followers. Peter and his fellow companions are not going to return to their previous fishing careers. These disciples who had journeyed with Jesus back and forth between Galilee and Jerusalem, who had witnessed the signs Jesus had performed, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, lubricating a wedding; who had listened to Jesus debate with the scribes and Pharisees and win the argument; who had seen Jesus befriend the outcast and the despised – these disciples were now being called take on this mantle that had been Jesus’s and to share the gospel far and wide. This is their new calling in the new age of the resurrection.

Our first reading from the Book of Acts, tells of the conversion experience of Saul (also known as Paul). As dedicated but short-sighted Pharisee, Saul does what he thinks is right and with his trademark vigour, sets out to persecute any who have become followers of Jesus – followers of from Saul’s viewpoint, of a dead and gone renegade. But on the road to Damascus, Saul has a resurrection encounter with Jesus which transforms his vocation. Now, within the resurrection age into which he has, so as to speak, been born from above/ again, Saul (or Paul) becomes one of the most ardent missioners taking the gospel to many people and all the time deepening his relationship with the risen Jesus and expanding on the theological understanding of the church.

So for us in the 21st century when some people are still persecuted for holding onto the wrong faith, where some people are still despised and abused, when there is still hunger and suffering, when there is still greed and the abuse of power, when the natural world is being destroyed by the hour, what is our calling as people of the resurrection age? What is our relationship with the risen Jesus?

Do we feed and tend the sheep? Do we share the gospel? Do we continue to explore and develop our relationships with Jesus and our theological understanding of our mission?

Yes! And in particular I would suggest that one thing the world especially needs to hear is truth – the truth about the climate and ecological crisis; the truth about the widening gap between rich and poor; the truth about the injustices that many people face across the world; the truth about the failure of war as a means of establishing peace. And that that the message of truth should be backed up by actions.

For example, the level of biodiversity in the UK makes us one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, yet a rich biodiversity is essential for pollinating crops, for keeping the soil fertile, for limiting the effects of flooding, for cleaning the air. Improving and maintaining biodiversity is a key part of Jesus’s call that we should ‘feed my sheep’. Yet is this a truth widely spoken about or heard?

We should talk about the importance of nature, of biodiversity, of its importance for human flourishing. Both with friends and family, with local authorities and businesses, with government and corporations.

And then there are many ways we can then act in response. By promoting wildlife in our gardens, church yards, etc. By eating a richer plant based diet. By supporting groups such as the RSPB, the Wild Life Trusts, the National Trust. By campaigning, pressing the government to properly fund the agricultural sector so that farmers can care for the land sustainably and to support rewilding. Indeed the UK government has signed an international treaty pledging to rewild 30% of the land and sea for for the benefit of nature by 2030. By campaigning for the Church of England to give a lead by rewilding 30% of the land in its care – including that held as an investment. And what better investment than securing a rich biodiverse environment!

Acts 9:1- 20

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptised, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

Psalm 30

1 I will exalt you, O Lord,
because you have lifted me up *
and have not let my enemies triumph over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried out to you, *
and you restored me to health.

3 You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; *
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.

4 Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; *
give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye, *
his favour for a lifetime.

6 Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.

7 While I felt secure, I said,
“I shall never be disturbed. *
You, Lord, with your favour, made me as strong as the mountains.”

8 Then you hid your face, *
and I was filled with fear.

9 I cried to you, O Lord; *
I pleaded with the Lord, saying,

10 “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? *
will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?

11 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
O Lord, be my helper.”

12 You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.

13 Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

Revelation 5:11-14

I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honour and glory and blessing!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!”

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

John 21:1-19

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

31 Days Wild: 3rd May

Today I was working in the garden and was struck by the beauty of the striped snails that live there. I looked them up and apparently they are white-lipped snails. The other snail that is common in the garden is the garden snail!

Does garden snail imply a degree of domestication? That some snails have evolved or adapted to live in gardens? Presumably because here there are plenty of young fresh shoots and seed.ing to eat, shady patches to shelter from the sun, and plant pots, stones etc where they can overwinter without being disturbed.

Perhaps them we shouldn’t complain about snails when our cultivation provides them with an ideal habitat!

garden snail left,

31 Days Wild: 2nd May 2025

In Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer writes of the reciprocal nature of gift. The Earth gifts us with plants and we gift the Earth the care and attention with which those plants thrive. The same is true for other living beings including insects.

I was gifted a bee hotel. For several years there were no guests. Then the bee hotel was blown down in a storm so temporarily I placed it in a nearby bench. The following summer every room in the hotel was occupied, each bamboo tube sealed with a paste of soil or brick dust. And every year since then red mason bees have made a beeline for the hotel.

It seems that rewilding our environment can involve positive intervention – reciprocating nature’s gift.

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/bees-and-wasps/red-mason-bee

Counting on … Day 54

2nd May 2025

Rather than finding green and/or ethical alternatives products to maintain our lifestyles, we might rather want to reflect on the idea of ‘enoughness’*. We live in a society and an economic system which sees having a better life and having more to consume as two things that run in tandem. But that may not be so. Having more to consume may make us anxious, may give us more responsibilities, may increase our dependency on things that costs more than we can afford. Having more to consume will likely increase the amount of ‘waste’ be that extra packaging or the single use, throw away nature of the product.

Paper hankies can make our lives easier but they create waste from the tissue that is thrown away, and from the plastic packet or paper box in which they were packed. A cotton handkerchief can be washed and reused giving years of use from a single purchase.

Kitchen gadgets – magi-mixers, stick blenders, spice grinders, soup and ice-cream makers, air fryers, sandwich toasters: the list is endless – can make our lives easier but do we use all of them sufficiently often to justify their purchase? For with each purchase comes the use of more resources to make them, the kitchen space needed to store them, the packaging to recycle and finally the cost of recycling the product itself?

Maybe there is merit in looking at what we already have that might serve the function? The wooden spoon, the grill, the ice box etc.

Joy in Enough, part of Green Christian, believes ‘Christians have a key role in modelling a way of life that respects the environment and serves others, finding fulfilment in what we have and not always wanting more.’ Their remit is to ‘offer study materials, talks and stories about current events, movements and activities which offer a vision of the future we want to see. We provide resources for people to decide what they can do, at a personal, community, national and global level, to challenge effectively our current way of living and bring about the changes needed in our economy, and wider society.’

* https://cac.org/daily-meditations/flourishing-is-mutual/

31 Days Wild: 1st May 2025

Another Judith suggested observing 31 Days Wild during May after the example of the Wild Life Trust’s 30 Days Wild for June. So taking up challenge, I shall try and note something each day in this blog.

I’m currently in a small village Warwickshire village keeping my mother company as she recovers from a recent illness. Compared with East Sheen in London – which I always feel is very green – Frankton feels very much greener. From where I’m sitting I can see seven types of trees – beech, horse chestnut, elder, ash, yew, sycamore and hawthorn. The latter are bedecked with May flowers, whilst the chestnuts have blossoms that look like coconut pyramids held out as if on the palm of a hand.And chestnut leaves do look like five fingered hands!

Meanwhile the ash trees frame is still clearly visible as their leaves have barely begun to show. This is a year of the oak before the ash which according to tradition, presages only a splash of rain.

Counting on … Day 53

1st May 2025

Whilst switching our finances may have the biggest impact, it is not necessarily an impact we can see straight away. Other lifestyle changes can have a more visible impact.

Turning down the heating, shorter showers, fitting LED light bulbs, etc will produce a visible drop in energy use. Using refill options, reusing cotton bags, and generally avoiding plastic packaging, will produce a visible reduction in plastic either going into the recycling or the dustbin. And reducing plastic, reduces both the consumption of oil and pollution. Driving less and using active travel (walking, cycling etc) and public transport options, will produce a visible reduction in fuel consumption.

Such visible impacts are encouraging because we can see that changes in the way we live do improve the wellbeing of the climate and environment.

Life style changes – sources of information

From the BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49997755

From Friends of the Earth – https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/saving-planet-top-tips-help-climate-and-nature

From Imperial College –https://www.imperial.ac.uk/stories/climate-action/

From Greenpeace – https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/challenges/climate-change/solutions-climate-change/

From Green Christian – https://www.greenchristian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/leaflet/nine-ways.pdf

Counting on … Day 52

30th April 2025

Becoming more informed, you will become aware of the many lifestyles changes that we can make to begin to address the climate crisis.

Make My Money Matter argued that the most impactful change we can make is to switch to a green pension provider – ie one that doesn’t fund fossil fuels. All commercial undertakings including fossil fuel exploration and extraction rely on finance and the operations of the financial sector – whether that is banking that enables the continuing day to day, week to week, and year year transactions of ongoing the business;; insurance protection for every aspect of the business; investment in expansion and new enterprises; maintaining share values and dividend payments etc. Many pension funds – as well as banks, mortgage and insurance companies – are key players in ensuring the flow of such finances.

Although Make My Money Matter closed this year, their website is, for the current year, a good source of information on pensions and banking.

Make My Money Matter

Ethical Consumer is another good source of information on matter financial – subscribing enables you to access their reports in full

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/money-finance/shopping-guide/ethical-pensions

And for climate friendly banking options – https://justmoney.org.uk/the-big-bank-switch/

Counting on … Day 51

29th April 2025

Where should I start?

By being well informed. Read reputable articles (see selection below) and books about the causes and impact of climate change and the climate crisis.

From Friends of the Earth

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/climate-change-facts-science-and-impacts

From the Natural History Museum

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/climate-change.html

From the Grantham Institute

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/publications/climate-change-faqs/

From the BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24021772

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00049b1

From Greenpeace

Climate change

Keep up to date with a reputable newspaper – I read The Guardian.

Counting on … Day 50

28th April 2025

The ‘silent majority’ – those who believe that the climate crisis is serious but yet do nothing – covers 89% of the population globally (1)

If that group could be persuaded or enabled to take action, the consequences would be dramatic. What holds people back is

* a fear of impotence (what I do won’t make a difference),

* a fear of social isolation (people won’t respect what I do and may mock me)

* a fear of loosing out (if I change, my standard of living will drop vis a vis my peers)

* lack of social and economic support (I can’t make any change because the system is set against it eg I can’t give up driving because there is no local reliable/ affordable public transport).

And given all the above, there is an equally important question ‘What should I do and where should I start?’ which can feel so overwhelming that doing nothing seems a reasonable response.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/22/activate-climate-silent-majority-support-supercharge-action?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Second Sunday of Easter

27th April 2025

Reflection with readings below

Luke in his writing in the Book of Acts is emphasising the importance of teaching – of telling and living the good news about Jesus Christ. To do so is to fulfil God’s wishes. The writer of John’s Gospel similarly concludes that all that has been written and told about Jesus, is there that “you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.”

As we celebrate Easter, we celebrate that our faith is about life, that it is life giving! Easter celebrates life in its fullness, life that continues to reinvigorate this world, and life as the eternal hope that even after death we will yet have life. Sometimes it is only in the small things that we see signs of life – the green leaves on the tree, the buds bursting into flower, the song of a bird, the buzz of a bee – and at other times we are able perceive the bigger picture where we also see life – and at the moment that might be in acknowledging the vast outpouring of love for Pope Francis and the recognition of all he has done to raise awareness of the immense challenges of the social and climate crises that we face – and recognising that we as individuals and communities are called by God to protect and fulfil the life of creation.

In today’s psalm the psalmist writes ‘The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’. Later in Acts when Peter and John are brought before the Council, they will use that same phrase. And in the Gospels Jesus, having told the parable of the grasping tenants of the vineyard, uses the same phrase to describe himself.

Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith; he is the cornerstone of new life. When we despair, when we feel that nothing changes, when the evils of the world and the tyranny of the system seems limitless, then we need to root ourselves in the certainty that Jesus underpins everything. From before time, Jesus has always been. In the darkest moments, the light that is Jesus is not overcome. In the seemingly endless trials of pain and suffering, Jesus is ever present. Even in death, Jesus is present. And if we are to work with Jesus to ensure a better world, we will by necessity have to root our actions and our prayers on the certainty of that cornerstone.

How we root ourselves in Jesus, how we find in him our cornerstone, will vary from person to person. For some it will be in devotional ritual and mindful ceremony. For others it will be in silence and contemplation. For yet others it will be active service. For some it will be in solitary adoration and for others community and fellowship. And for yet others it will be through immersion in the natural world. Or more likely a mix of these.

Just in reading the accounts of that first day and first week of the first Easter in John’s gospel, we see how differently Jesus’s followers reacted. Mary Magdalene sees the empty tomb and remains convinced it is proof that someone has removed Jesus’s body. Peter and the other disciple see the same empty tomb and believe Jesus has gone from their lives – maybe Elijah-like straight to heaven. When Mary then meets the risen Jesus she wants to cling to him such is her love. But the other disciples, receiving her news, remain filled with fear. Only when they see and hear Jesus for themselves do they loose some of that fear. And Thomas likewise finds it hard to believe simply on the basis of their testimony. For Mary, Jesus says don’t touch; for Thomas, Jesus says touch!

So, if at times our own belief seems limited, let us have patience that in time what we need will be revealed. Equally let us be able to find reassurance that belief is as often held by a community as by individuals – and hence our creeds begin, ‘We believe…’ And above all let us remember that Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith – whatever the state of our faith, Jesus’s faith in us – his support for us – is greater yet!

Acts 5:27-32

When the temple police had brought the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Psalm 118:14-29

14 The Lord is my strength and my song, *
and he has become my salvation.

15 There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous:

16 “The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *
the right hand of the Lord is exalted!
the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!”

17 I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the Lord.

18 The Lord has punished me sorely, *
but he did not hand me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the Lord.

20 “This is the gate of the Lord; *
he who is righteous may enter.”

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.

22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the Lord’s doing, *
and it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! *
Lord, send us now success.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *
we bless you from the house of the Lord.

27 God is the Lord; he has shined upon us; *
form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.

28 “You are my God, and I will thank you; *
you are my God, and I will exalt you.”

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *
his mercy endures for ever.

Revelation 1:4-8

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.