Author Archives: Avril Hannah-Jones
Reflection: Hope at the End of the World
Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting ChurchAdvent One, 29th of November 2020 Isaiah 64:1-9Mark 13:24-37 Happy New Year! And to those of you here, in the nave, welcome back to worshipping in the church building after months of lockdown. In previous … Continue reading
Reflection: This is what it all comes down to
We human beings have a propensity for selfishness and exploitation. We naturally tend to care most about ourselves and those close to us, and least about those out of our sight. Continue reading
Reflection: Being extremists
we, like Jesus, can live lives that are daring and risky and open to change and new possibilities, because we, too, know that God is not the harsh master of the third slave’s fearful imagining Continue reading
Reflection: Being wise, not foolish; wheat, not weeds
As I watch the American election and see Christians acting in ways that I think mark them as weeds, goats, or foolish bridesmaids, Matthew reminds me to leave judgement to God. Continue reading
Reflection: As I have so often said, it’s all about love.
No matter how each gospel writer puts it, the core of Jesus’ message is the same. It is all, always, about love. Continue reading
Reflection: When the things of God and the Emperor conflict
As Christians, we too need to refuse to give our obedience and loyalty to ‘the emperor’ if the emperor is defacing the image of God by mistreating human beings. In such cases it is only by resisting the emperor that we can give to God the things that are God’s. Continue reading
Reflection: What is that ‘wedding robe’ all about?
I hope that I have made it clear that while Matthew and Paul might disagree on the route of the journey, they are in full agreement about the destination. Continue reading
Covid19 Diary 12
Samuel Pepys: October 5, 1665The Bill, blessed be God, is less this week by 740 [deaths] of what it was last week. Today, for the first time in months, the number of deaths from covid19 over the past twenty-four hours … Continue reading
Reflection: Matthew versus Paul?
Matthew and Paul might have vehemently disagreed about whether we need to obey the Torah, whether we had freedom from the Law, but when it comes to how we should live they are in complete agreement. We are to love one another. Continue reading
Reflection: From prison comes joy
Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church27th of September, 2020 Matthew 21:23-32Philippians 2:1-13 Between last week’s reading from the Gospel according to Matthew, when Jesus told those around him the parable of merciful employer, and this week’s reading, in which there … Continue reading
