How do you feel when you have to accept help from someone? Grateful that they are there? Frustrated that despite your own self confidence you actually can’t manage? Perhaps angry that you’re not as strong as thought you are, either physically or mentally! Well this account of the cure of the paralytic really shows how God works for us and in us, despite our best efforts to resist and, importantly it also reminds that we are not self sufficient – that we do have to rely on others and, difficult and painful that it may be, we do from time to have to accept help even when our pride might want to prevent us from doing so. If the paralytic man had not readily and willingly accepted the help of his friends we now that he could not have been cured. There is however much more going on in this story than we might first think and it also serves to remind that whilst we might need the help of our friends, above all we need the help of God if are to truly flourish and grow.    The story attracts our attention because of its dramatic portrayal of the paralytic’s compassionate friends and Jesus’ response to their active, persistent faith. As we reflect on the paralytic’s story it is important to remember that Jesus calls all people (the proud, the weak, the downhearted, the strong, people in all conditions) to repent and believe the good news of God. To fully appreciate the meaning and the impact of this story we can look at the many characters in the text and who interact with Jesus. We do so because of the human and divine interaction which can be seen in the gospel.

 From the perspective of human involvement, we may focus on the role of individual and corporate responsibility. For example, despite his disability the paralytic is an active participant in this healing event: he immediately responds to Jesus’ command and rises without hesitation to follow his directions. The greatest testimony the forgiven and healed man has to offer is the forward strides he makes on his way out the door. It is his actions more than his words that the Gospel chooses to highlight. Like the paralytic, his friends are also silent but active. Their movements command our attention and draw Jesus’ attention. They accompany and assist the paralyzed man, demonstrating faith, persistence, loving support, ingenuity, hope, boundary-breaking initiative, and the willingness to risk their reputations for the sake of another’s well-being. These unnamed heroes embody faith in God and love for their neighbour, fulfilling the two great commandments of Judaism and Christianity. In contrast to the scribes, whose hearts reveal the beginning of resistance to Jesus’ authority and power, when Jesus looks into the hearts of the paralytic’s friends he hears what Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 1:18-22: faith that the promises of God find their “yes” in Jesus Christ. The involvement of these friends suggests other lessons as well. They teach us that healing is often facilitated by the help of others and that faithful action is a powerful form of intercessory prayer. The paralytic man’s friends remind us that Jesus is not the only one to demonstrate boundary-breaking behaviour in the Gospel of Mark, since they are also willing to move beyond what is considered right or acceptable behaviour in order to help someone else. Of course, one may also approach this story from the perspective of the scribes. Unlike the friends who contribute to and participate in the paralytic’s transformation, the scribes watch quietly from the sidelines. Their silent resistance may remind us of painful patterns of quiet opposition and passive-aggressive behaviour practiced in our own faith communities. Their growing opposition to Jesus’ authority throughout this chapter reminds us to consider our own resistance to God which is evidenced when we put ourselves and our own desires before what it is he is calling to do or who he is calling us to be..

 From the perspective of divine involvement, we can explore the many ways this story reveals the identity, authority, and power of Jesus Christ. However much we may be drawn to the drama of the paralytic’s experience and the compassion of his friends, we must not forget that this is a story about Jesus Christ. The paralytic’s forgiveness and healing demonstrate two vital aspects of Jesus’ identity: his divine authority and power. Jesus asserts divine authority when he declares that the paralytic’s sins are forgiven, and he demonstrates divine power in healing him. He is more than a priest who works outside traditional structures or a miracle worker who performs acts of healing; he is the Christ who has authority and power to do God’s will. Jesus is provocateur and compassionate healer, forgiver and physician, mind reader and spiritual guide. He embodies the gospel, the good news of God’s reign among us. When people come to Jesus to be healed, he sets the work of healing within the larger context of divine forgiveness and spiritual salvation. For those who tend to preach primarily about human needs and perspectives, this text provides meaningful material related to Jesus’ divine identity.

 From the perspective of divine-human interaction, it is also important to recognize that neither humans nor God act alone in this story but in relationship to one another. According to Mark’s Gospel, divine authority and power reside in Jesus Christ alone, but humans participate fully as necessary partners in the fulfilment of God’s just and loving reign. At times, people take the initiative in seeking help for a friend, or the crowd offers a chorus of praise and glory to God; at times, Jesus Christ takes the initiative in offering forgiveness at an unexpected moment or by confronting the silent resistance of others. But throughout this episode, both human and divine participants are essential to the fulfilment of God’s life-giving intentions.

This message reminds us that God’s merciful love is for all people, that there is a thoroughgoing purpose and meaning to our lives. God has created us and God is the goal of our life journey, the ultimate human / divine interaction. Our personal and social lives depend upon the values of truthfulness, justice and merciful love. Christian people, you and I are called to be examples of hope, and bringers of hope to others. If we do not do so then we are no different to those who have no faith, but who are in need of God’s love for them. Today we sit at the Lord’s feet today, yes here when we kneel at the altar, but also we sit in that house at Capernaum, and listen to his words. When we sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to his word then we experience that human / divine interaction which brings us and all people health, healing and life – life here and now and life everlasting…Amen

Thus says the Lord:

No need to recall the past,
no need to think about what was done before.
See, I am doing a new deed,
even now it comes to light; can you not see it?
Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness,
paths in the wilds.
The people I have formed for myself
will sing my praises.
Jacob, you have not invoked me,
you have not troubled yourself, Israel, on my behalf.
Instead you have burdened me with your sins,
troubled me with your iniquities.
I it is, I it is, who must blot out everything
and not remember your sins.

Psalm 40:2-5,13-14

Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
Happy the man who considers the poor and the weak.
The Lord will save him in the day of evil,
will guard him, give him life, make him happy in the land
and will not give him up to the will of his foes.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.

The Lord will help him on his bed of pain,
he will bring him back from sickness to health.
As for me, I said: ‘Lord, have mercy on me,
heal my soul for I have sinned against you.’
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.

If you uphold me I shall be unharmed
and set in your presence for ever more.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
from age to age. Amen. Amen.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.

A reading from S. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians 1:18-22

I swear by God’s truth, there is no Yes and No about what we say to you. The Son of God, the Christ Jesus that we proclaimed among you – I mean Silvanus and Timothy and I – was never Yes and No: with him it was always Yes, and however many the promises God made, the Yes to them all is in him. That is why it is ‘through him’ that we answer Amen to the praise of God. Remember it is God himself who assures us all, and you, of our standing in Christ, and has anointed us, marking us with his seal and giving us the pledge, the Spirit, that we carry in our hearts.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, word went round that he was back; and so many people collected that there was no room left, even in front of the door. He was preaching the word to them when some people came bringing him a paralytic carried by four men, but as the crowd made it impossible to get the man to him, they stripped the roof over the place where Jesus was; and when they had made an opening, they lowered the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some scribes were sitting there, and they thought to themselves, ‘How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God?’ Jesus, inwardly aware that this was what they were thinking, said to them, ‘Why do you have these thoughts in your hearts? Which of these is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he turned to the paralytic – ‘I order you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go off home.’ And the man got up, picked up his stretcher at once and walked out in front of everyone, so that they were all astounded and praised God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’

The world: We pray for all leaders and governments of the world: that they may speak with one another in all honesty, to promote justice and peace. 

The parish and community: Pray for all who are burdened with the guilt: that they may come to know the abiding love of God. That those in our community may be reconciled to one another, and forgive each other when disputes occur.

 Sick and suffering: Brenda Hancock, Gill Southen, Ann Wood, Derek Herdman, Betty Parker, Kath Bentley, Gladys Rudd, Martha Pickering, Ruth Strong, Doreen Parton, Gail Forrester, Ray Finlow, Nigel Clewlow, Sarah Lloyd, Irene Short, Fr. John Phillips, John Townsend, Nora Bennett, Millie Whitehouse, Stephen Grey, +John Gaisford.

 Sanctuary lamp – We pray with Barbara Hewines as she gives thank for the life of her mother.

 We pray for the departed – Ken Baker, Jonathan Charlesworth. 

Anniversary of Death:   Enoch Groves, Olive Callaghan, Geoff Sussams.

DAILY INTERCESSIONS

Day 19            The Stafford Prison Chaplaincy.  Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament
People who live in Maple Grove, Meadow Way, Merrey Road, Windermere House

Day 20            For all Ebbsfleet parishes. The Guild of all Souls
People who live in Merrivale Road, Morton Road, Moss Pit, Willowmoor

Day 21            Study groups in the parish.  The Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield
People who live in Nelson Way, Old Rickerscote Lane, One Oak Rise, Uplands Road

Day 22            The staff and pupils of Silkmore Primary School
People who live in Oxbarn Road, Peach Avenue, Penkvale Road, Turnhill Close

Day 23            Work with young people. 
People who live in Perrin Close,  Plant Crescent, Prospect Place, Trent Close.

Day 24            For vocations to the sacred ministry.
People who live in Reason Road, Rickerscote Avenue, Rickerscote Road, The Russetts

Day 25            St John’s Church – Fr Adrian Stone.  The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
People who live in Rising Brook, Rosemary Drive, School Lane,The Rockeries.

BEETLE DRIVE and PANCAKES
Tuesday, 21st February, 7.00 p.m. S. Peter’s Community Centre
Tickets £3 inclusive of pancakes and first drink.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND BENEDICTION
Sunday, 26th February, 3.30 p.m.

BANGERS & MASH NIGHT
Wednesday, 14th March, 7.30 p.m.
Tickets: £5, 16 years and under £3.  In aid of Chennai Challenge and Dance Fusion

MESSY CHURCH
Sunday, 18th March, 3.00 – 5.00 p.m.
Primary school aged children and their carers.

If you would like information on any of these events please do not hesitate to contact the webmaster Webmaster@stpetersrickerscote.co.uk

 The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.

Psalm 23:7-10

Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! 
Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

Who is the king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war. 
Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! 
Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

 Who is he, the king of glory?
He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory.
Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

A Reading from S. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews 2:14-18

Since all the children share the same blood and flesh, Christ too shared equally in it, so that by his death he could take away all the power of the devil, who had power over death, and set free all those who had been held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it was not the angels that he took to himself; he took to himself descent from Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way become completely like his brothers so that he could be a compassionate and trustworthy high priest of God’s religion, able to atone for human sins. That is, because he has himself been through temptation he is able to help others who are tempted. 

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.’As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’ There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple is one of those feasts which carries great significance and yet can easily be overlooked. In one sense it marks the real end of the Christmas season, and yet we have been in Ordinary time e for four weeks now and in another sense it leads us towards Easter when we haven’t yet started the Lenten season. It’s almost as if it’s in a sort of no-man’s land. It is however not very much in our land and is real in time both for Jesus, Mary and Joseph and for us. The readings show Jesus still in his mother’s arms, yet she already offers him to God which is also a prelude to the offering of his whole life on the cross. In the rites of purification he begins his new life in God and through his death and resurrection he brings that same new life for all his followers. Let us begin by looking at Mary and Joseph as they bring Jesus to the Temple. They bring baby Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem, present him and offer him to the Lord God, as prescribed by the Law. Mary’s days of purification were already completed, and now the mother was required to offer a holocaust to God. If she was poor, as in the case of Mary, it was enough that she offered two turtle-doves or two pigeons. Thus the first-born child was sanctified, that is, consecrated and offered to Yahweh in memory of the great Exodus from Egypt, and redeemed by payment of five shekels. In this way Jesus was consecrated to God and declared His property. Being born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, he is the holy one of God, totally given to Him and at His service. The presentation in the Temple openly proclaims this reality hidden in Jesus. Simeon, a typical product of Old

Testament spirituality, awaits the consolation of Israel, i.e., he awaits the Messiah and the salvation he would bring. God grants him the privilege of not dying before seeing His anointed one. It is interesting that Simeon recognises the Messiah in the Baby, and the parents of Jesus receive the revelation from this prophet precisely at the moment they fulfil the law. The Temple, the Law, the worship and the revelation of the Old Testament look towards the messiah and lead to him. Simeon welcomes the Baby and explodes in a hymn of praise and blessing revealing that the child is sent by God as the redeemer; he is light and salvation to the Gentiles and glory to the people of Israel. Today’s first reading from the Prophet Malachi shows the Lord in person entering His temple and beginning His work of renewal. The Lord Yahweh effects a general purification, acting like fire that refines metal. He will purify Israel’s worship and make it once again worthy and pleasing to the Lord. Today’s temple liturgy makes us see this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. Being presented in the temple, Jesus enters the House of the Father and is offered to Him as the worthiest and most pleasing offering.

 The reading from Hebrews teaches us that through his self-offering Christ has liberated us from the power of the devil and given us victory over death. Having suffered temptations and trials like us, he is able to help those who undergo trials. Mary, mother of the Messiah, did not need any purification as she had not contracted any impurity. Neither did Jesus, the holy One of God, need any consecration, yet they humbly observe the law. Luke describes the ceremonies of the purification of Mary, but speaks of the presentation of the child to the Lord and Mary recognises fully the rights of God over her child and associates herself with his consecration. Both are irrevocably consecrated to God. As we recognise this consecration to God it right also that we look at and gives for all who give their lives to God as they consecrate themselves to him.

The Church and indeed the whole of society benefits immensely from the silent and sustained work of thousands of religious Priests, Brothers’ and Sisters all over the world in various fields like education, care of the sick, care of the orphans and of the aged, and carry out other forms of social service. Like Jesus and Mary, they consecrate themselves to God and participate in the mission of the Saviour. We thank and praise the Lord for them. These consecrated persons are engaged in different ways in the work of evangelisation. Their life of chastity, poverty and obedience are eschatological signs pointing to the life to come and the kingdom of heaven. They are in the world, but not of the world. We have to remember of course that every Christian is a consecrated person, consecrated in Baptism, Confirmation and the other sacraments. As such every Christian is called upon to follow and imitate the Lord who was born poor, who lived chaste and was obedient unto death. The three vows of the religious are like three nails by which they crucify themselves to the world, the flesh and the devil. Their life of prayer, penance and the practice of the virtues is an inspiration and an invitation to all to seek the things that are above and not to get lost in the things of this world. We pray that they may not fall into temptation and evil, but be shining models of truth, justice, love, goodness and holiness so too we pray that we like them may resist those self same temptations. As we do so we also remember that we are called to work similarly for the coming of the kingdom, because as we know the world is in great of Christ’s love, care and concern for all people. As we look to the Lord to send workers into the vineyard we pray that men will heed the call to the sacred ministry, that men and women will be called to the religious life. We remember too that it is not only the ordained and the religious who are called to work in the vineyard, each every Christian is called to work in the vineyard and that means each every person here, those who are not here, each according to his or her strength and ability. There is not one task which God calls us to fulfil which cannot be completed through his strength. As we rejoice at the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and his consecration to the Lords our God, let us always remember that we in lour baptism and confirmation we consecrate our live to the Lord our God and so look for ways in which we can fulfil our calling… Amen

The world: We pray that those whose hearts are filled with hatred and envy may know the light of Christ in their lives; that they seek ways of justice and peace for all.

 The parish and community: Pray that all may seek the Lord in their lives and so present themselves to him and recognise His calling for them.

 Sick and suffering: Brenda Hancock, Gill Southen, Ann Wood, Jonathan, Derek Herdman, Betty Parker, Kath Bentley, Gladys Rudd, Martha Pickering, Ruth Strong, Doreen Parton, Gail Forrester, Ray Finlow, Nigel Clewlow, Sarah Lloyd, Irene Short, Fr. John Phillips, John Townsend, Nora Bennett, Millie Whitehouse, Stephen Grey.

 Sanctuary lamp – We pray with Ann Cheers as she gives thank for the live of her husband Brian.

 We pray for the departed – Roland Jackson, priest, Ken Baker.

 Anniversary of Death:   Laura Northwood, Horace Reynolds, William Hill, Clara Baker, Jessica Cawley, Muriel Townsend, Hugh McCarroll, Emily Tabernor, Florrie Holmes, Doris Wright, Maurice Martin, Brian Cheers, Nellie Whiting.

 DAILY INTERCESSIONS

Day 5  The organist and the choir.
People who live in Burton House Gardens, Burton Manor Road, Craftdown Close.

Day 6  The servers.    The Guild of the Servants of the Sanctuary
People who live in Burton Square, Chain Lane, Chestnut Drive, Church Close

Day 7  Bp Jonathan, our Episcopal Visitor.  The Society of the Holy Cross
People who live in Churchill Way,  Conniston House Corran Road,

Day 8  Jonathan, Bp of Lichfield.  Churches Together.  The Company of Mission Priests
People who live in Crinan Grove, Derwent House, Devon Way.

Day 9  Geoffrey, Bp of Stafford
People who live in Dove Close, Elsdon Road, Exeter Street,

Day 10     St. Mary’s Church – Fr. Graham Fowell
People who live in Fennel Drive, Garth Close, Glebelands, Scholars Gate

Day 11    St. Chad’s Church : Fr. Michael Fisher
People who live in Glebe Avenue, Gravel Lane, Hambridge Close.

Can you imagine what it would be like if, one Sunday morning a stranger walked into the church and, after the gospel came to the lectern and started to preach? What would you reaction be? Well in some respects that was what happened in Jesus’ day. To understand the impact of Jesus teaching we have to understand the position of the synagogue, and the scribes.

 Synagogues did not come into existence until the destruction of the Temple in 587 BC. As long as the Temple stood, it remained the sole place of public worship. The ten northern tribes were conquered and exiled by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Cut off from Temple worship, they eventually lost their faith and are known as the ten lost tribes of Israel. When the two remaining southern tribes suffered a similar fate at the hands of the Babylonians in 587 BC, they learned from the sad experience of their northern neighbours and established synagogues for the first time. Synagogues were originally schools to preserve and teach Scripture and to gather the people for prayer. Their success in preserving the faith of the Jews in exile led to their spread through Palestine on their return home. Synagogues were particularly helpful in areas far removed from the Temple in Jerusalem. Synagogue services consisted of prayers, Scripture readings, and explanations of these readings. At the time of Jesus there were no resident rabbis. Anyone versed in the Old Testament could be asked to interpret the Scripture passage. Scribes, whose job it was to transcribe and explain scripture, were often selected. They taught by simply passing down what they had learned in school from the great rabbis. The more they quoted, the more authoritative their teaching was thought to be. The scribes must have been even more bewildered because Jesus was no ordained priest, nor a scholarly scribe, and, although Luke’s Gospel reports that even at a young age he had astounded the teachers in the Temple, he was not an academic, he was to the people of his day the son of carpenter from Nazareth, but when he taught, however, he broke new ground and gave fresh interpretations. Unlike the scribes, he taught on his own authority and made new law, indicating he was greater than Moses and the equal of God, who alone can bind under conscience. Having taught with authority, like God himself, Jesus goes further and shows by his actions he is the equal of God by curing sickness.

 We have to remember however that in biblical times sickness was regarded as possession by the devil. Only God could cure sickness because only God had power over the devil. In curing the sick man Jesus clearly shows he has power reserved to God alone. But Mark, more than any other evangelist, frequently goes out of his way to stress demoniac possession. In doing so he emphasizes the struggle between Jesus and Satan. For Mark, Jesus is not merely curing an individual with each miracle he performs, he is decisively beating back the forces of evil and introducing the kingdom of God. The unclean spirit addresses Jesus as the Holy One of God. In ancient times knowing a person’s name was thought to provide power over the person. The unclean spirit tries to use that power to gain an advantage over Jesus but Jesus proves too powerful for the ploy and decisively drives him away, proving once again his power is greater than any other, even the powers of hell. We are reminded here and all through Mark’s Gospel, the demons always know immediately who Jesus is, we heard the words ‘What do you what with us Jesus of Nazareth’ and so fear him accordingly, while the ordinary people, including the Apostles, continue to wonder who Jesus is and what type of man he might be.

 The authority that Jesus possessed, then and now, is from his being one with God the author, the creator, of the very truth he propounded. Also his words and his acts were one and the same. As his teaching could fill the mind and heart with the wonder of God’s love, so his acts could restore broken people to wholeness, to God’s peace.

 As God creates the world by God’s word alone, so Jesus uses his words alone to subdue the forces of evil that have taken possession of the man in the congregation. Recently the voice from heaven at Jesus’ baptism had acknowledged Jesus’ identity. Next week we celebrate the Presentation of Christ in the Temple where Simeon recognises Christ as the Messiah, the promised one for Israel. Here another supernatural being does the same. Jesus’ authority is drawn not from this world but from the divine. Although there were many teachers of the law and interpreters of scripture at the time, and many exorcists and healers, none was invested with this direct authority. However, even while Jesus restores health and wholeness, hostility and conflict are ever present. Here the unclean spirit immediately recognises Jesus and, in the act of leaving its human host, causes the man to suffer convulsions. The competing authorities of good and evil are ranged against each other from the start.

 Hostility between them is a constant theme in Mark’s Gospel, although we know who ultimately triumphs. The people in the stories are challenged to take sides: the disciples, the authorities, the people in the crowds, the listeners. So are we. When we hear the uncompromising position Jesus takes against evil, we are asked where we stand on that. Do we tolerate it, for an easy life? Do we give in, and behave in ways more in keeping with Satan than with Christ? Do we face our own demons and, with God’s grace, expel them from our lives? Are we prepared to hear a new teaching, to be shaken by the radicalism of Jesus’ message, or do we prefer to go through the motions of habit and conformity? We sometimes hear people say that they to a particular church because they feel comfortable there; if that is the case they are missing the point. If we truly listen to Jesus we should be disturbed, we should be unsettled because Jesus calls us to follow his radical agenda and to be counter cultural – that is to not follow the crowds;  not only are we called on to be different, we have duty to challenge others as Jesus did in the synagogue and the temple. If we don’t not change our lives because of Jesus we are not living the gospel.

 So, how can we take on the mantle of being other Christs in our world? To speak, act and live with Christ’s authority is a vocation that calls us constantly to grow closer to him, day after day. We have the means to do that through prayer; through daily attention to scripture reading, study and meditation; through the sacraments, and through the constant practice of the virtues. We are called to recognise the ultimate authority of God, and to reflect on how that challenges us in our everyday lives….Amen

 The world: We pray for those in Church and State who have authority over others: that they may use their power for good, work for the oppressed, and enable the poor and weak to flourish.

 The parish and community: We pray for all who teach: that their authority may be drawn from that of Christ, and that all who learn from them may be enlightened by the truth.

 Sanctuary lamp – For the work of the Additional Curates’ Society.

 Sick and suffering: Brenda Hancock, Gill Southen, Ann Wood, Jonathan, Derek Herdman, Betty Parker, Kath Bentley, Gladys Rudd, Martha Pickering, Ruth Strong, Doreen Parton, Gail Forrester, Ray Finlow, Nigel Clewlow, Sarah Lloyd, Irene Short, Fr. John Phillips, John Townsend, Nora Bennett, Ken Baker.

 We pray for the departed – Roland Jackson, priest.

 Anniversary of Death: Nellie Arkinstall, Wilfrid Russell, Mary Haywood, Anne Wilson, Frank Parker, Roy Conway, Hazel Knight.

DAILY INTERCESSIONS

Day 29            Rising Brook Methodist Church and Baptist Churches in the town.
People who live in St Peter’s Gardens, Steadman Crescent, Sydney Avenue,  The Close.

 Day 30            Those who receive the Blessed Sacrament in their own home.  Retired clergy in the Deanery.    
Those who live outside the parish and worship at St. Peter’s

Day 31            Shallowford House
For those working to build community cohesion.

Day 1  The parish clergy.  Staff and pupils of Flash Ley Primary School
People who live in Ash Flats, Ash Rise, Astoria Drive, Bala House.

 Day 2  The Parochial Church Council.  Burton Manor Primary School
People who live in Barn Bank Lane, Basil Close Blithfield House, Blythe Road

Day 3  The Churchwardens.  The staff and pupils of Silkmore Primary School
People who live in Boon Grove, Border Way, Broad Oaks.

Day 4  The Deanery Synod and the Parish representatives members
People who live in Brook Glen Close, Brookglen Road, Bursley Close, Burton Bank Lane

Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like myself, from among yourselves, from your own brothers; to him you must listen. This is what you yourselves asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the Assembly. “Do not let me hear again” you said “the voice of the Lord my God, nor look any longer on this great fire, or I shall die”; and the Lord said to me, “All they have spoken is well said. I will raise up a prophet like yourself for them from their own brothers; I will put my words into his mouth and he shall tell them all I command him. The man who does not listen to my words that he speaks in my name, shall be held answerable to me for it. But the prophet who presumes to say in my name a thing I have not commanded him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.”’

 Psalm 94:1-2,6-9

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the rock who saves us.
Let us come before him, giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.
O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come in; let us bow and bend low;
let us kneel before the God who made us:
for he is our God and we
the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand.
O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

O that today you would listen to his voice!
‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert
when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.’
O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

A Reading from S. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 7:32-35

I would like to see you free from all worry. An unmarried man can devote himself to the Lord’s affairs, all he need worry about is pleasing the Lord; but a married man has to bother about the world’s affairs and devote himself to pleasing his wife: he is torn two ways. In the same way an unmarried woman, like a young girl, can devote herself to the Lord’s affairs; all she need worry about is being holy in body and spirit. The married woman, on the other hand, has to worry about the world’s affairs and devote herself to pleasing her husband. I say this only to help you, not to put a halter round your necks, but simply to make sure that everything is as it should be, and that you give your undivided attention to the Lord.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 1:21-28

Jesus and his followers went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.

In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. ‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said ‘and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.’ And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.