Two notices:
- Please read the announcement from the Church Council about the re-opening of All Saints on Sunday 26th July at 11am. The announcement contains important information about the conditions for re-opening, and what you should expect under the current new “normality”. The link is under SERVICES & EVENTS SCHEDULE in the right-hand column.
- Fr Ron apologises that his phone rang twice as he was preparing his reflection. But then, as he said, it shows it is “live”!
Collect for The Fourth Sunday after Trinity
O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Fr Ron’s Reflection on today’s readings
The Epistle reading – Romans 7:15-25a
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
The Gospel Reading – Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Intercessions for The Fourth Sunday after Trinity – July 5th 2020
Holy God, and Lord of the Dance, we raise our prayers to you in the power of the Spirit which unites us with Christ Jesus trusting that you will hear our prayers and use them to accomplish your will for the world and for the church.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Faithful God, we pray for all people who seek to follow your way in their lives. Let your church speak your word of truth with confidence and in unity so that those who are searching and listening will be able to see and hear clearly your message of love and peace.
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Creator God, we pray for people and nations whose troubles, brought about by the global pandemic, drown out your music of harmony and where the violent heat of anger seeks to destroy your word of peace.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Father God, we pray for the people around us in our neighbourhoods and our places of work. Give us sensitivity and insight into their needs and vulnerabilities so that we may learn truly to love our neighbours as ourselves. Help us to be responsible and sensible in all our interaction with those around us so that we do not increase the chance of infecting, or being infected by, those we meet.
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Gracious God, we pray for people we know who are ill, anxious or bereaved, and for those that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens. We pray that you will lead them, and us, in peace towards healing and wholeness of mind and spirit (add names of those requesting prayer)
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Merciful God, many people die by violence, war, and famine each day. Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly for these sins against your love, and gather them to the eternal kingdom of peace (add names of the recently departed or on Anniversary list)
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer
Loving God, we offer ourselves to you in faith and confidence. Show us as we go out into the world how we can best prepare ourselves to be part of your response to our prayers. Fill us with the Spirit of life which was in Christ Jesus, your Son and our Saviour.
Merciful Father: Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Thanks to the Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy for sharing their prayers for this Sunday.