19 October 2008

Welcome to St Alban’s Anglican Church 

Today's Scripture (HC) : Isaiah 45: 1-7    1 Thessalonians 1:1-10    S. Matthew 22:15-22

Today's Liturgy: 8.35 a.m. BCP Matins;   9.00a.m. Scripture Study;   9.30a.m. Holy Communion;   6.00 p.m. EP

Tues to Fri: Midday Prayer 12.30p.m. CONFIRMATION PREPARATION IN PROGRESS - prospective candidates see Rector

22^nd Sunday After Trinity

Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

FAITH IN FOCUS: NO EASY ANSWERS

We’re all familiar with the trap the Herodians and the Pharisees set for Jesus, asking whether it was right for a Jew to pay allegiance to Caesar. Jesus must have been making a strong impact because this alliance between Herodians and Pharisees was such an unlikely one. The Herodians had crossed over to the Romans whereas the Pharisees epitomised the Jewish Law. In fact, they hated each other.

We all know Jesus’ answer: give both God and Caesar what they’re due. And at first we can think of it as a smart reply. But upon reflection we come to realise that it might have got him out of a sticky situation but it’s not really any "answer" at all.

We live side by side with two kingdoms: the kingdom of secular government and the kingdom of God. And week by week, month by month, we come up against the rub. We find ourselves faced with circumstances where one conflicts with the other.

Christians have a smart reply to the problem, but it too only raises more questions. They say that there is nothing that does not belong to God, so God must come first in all things. This is true on one level but it does not take away our need to use our own consciences when making our decisions, and it means that we have to be quite clear about the influences that are shaping our consciences. We are called to think about what belongs to God and to let it influence the way we live. When earthly authority is opposed to what we believe is God’s authority how do we react? Conscience is both a blessing and a curse because we cannot blindly follow rules and regulations; we have to inform our consciences and act in accordance with what we believe to be God’s will for humanity.

Today’s reading is a classic example of how the gospel does not provide us with pat answers. The good news is good news but it’s also a challenge to us to be just as adult about the things of God as we have become about the things of Caesar. And vice versa.

WORD OF GOD

Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.

(Matthew 22:21)

WORD FOR TODAY

Do we compartmentalise our lives into things relating to our religion and things relating to our daily living? We have to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but is there any area of our life that does not belong to God?

I FEEL OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH AFFECTS every part of our lives. It isn’t just something we keep for Sundays so we have an opinion on every part of our lives. The politicians talk about everything from defence to education to healthcare, and I believe there is a Christian perspective on all of those things. (Rod Breckon)

WE ARE THE COINS of God’s realm, of his kingdom. If we are to "give to God the things that are God’s" then we must conclude from our Lord’s teaching that there is no limit to what we owe God. We owe God our whole being, our very life, all that is ours. No part of our life is excluded from our fundamental covenant with the one who is our Creator, and who has redeemed us from sin and death to make us citizens of his kingdom.

(Ronald Harbaugh)

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS

Mon: Levit 19: 1-18, 30-end, 2 Tim 4: 1-8, John 19: 1-16

Tues: Leviticus 23: 1-22, 2 Tim 4:9-end, John 19:17-30

Wed: Leviticus 23: 23-end, Titus 1, John 19:31-end

Thurs: Leviticus 24: 1-9, Titus 2, John 20: 1-10

Fri : Leviticus 25:1-24, Titus 3, John 20:11-18

Sat: Numbers 6: 1-5, 21-end, Philemon, John 20:19-end

NEXT SUNDAY : Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18,

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, S. Matthew 22:34-end