9:00am St Barnabas, Charnwood and 11:00am, St Michael’s, Hall.
The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany:
Readings: Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37
Our Gospel reading this Sunday continues our exploration of Jesus’ ‘sermon on the mount’. In it Jesus takes on the role of Rabbi or teacher, and explains how best to approach a number of the First Testament teachings. Today we will hear Jesus say, on four occasions, ‘You have heard it said…’ followed by, ‘But I say…’ Each time Jesus moves from one of the ancient commandments to the underlying heart attitude that leads to the breaking of these God-given, freedom-winning, commandments. From murder, Jesus discusses anger and reconciliation; from adultery, Jesus converses about lust and breaking temptation; from divorce and oaths, Jesus discusses the keeping of our word.
Jesus’ sermon is a short course in loving God and loving others from the heart. This is no new call – but another ancient one. Jesus words stand easily alongside Moses’ teaching: ‘Circumcise…your heart, and be no longer stubborn’.
Such change is both a God-derived miracle, and a call to take responsibility for the heart.
Hope to see you Sunday!