Author Archives: Avril Hannah-Jones

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

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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

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Reflection: Just deserts or just love?

Why would we want fairness when instead we are blessed with God’s generosity? Today’s parable tells us that God is not primarily fair. God is primarily compassionate. God is love. Continue reading

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Reflection: To argue or not to argue?

Reading this passage, we might think that we are left with a church in which nothing is to be condemned. However, compare today’s reading with Paul’s response to another question about food, the question of whether Jews and Gentiles can eat together. Continue reading

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Covid19 Diary 11

One thing that has become incredibly obvious this week has been just how broken the mainstream media is in Australia Continue reading

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Reflection: At sea in a storm

Reflection for Western Heights Uniting Church August 9, 2020 Matthew 14:22-33 The church has from its very beginning been considered metaphorically to be a boat. This is unsurprising when we consider that Jesus’ first followers were fishermen and that the … Continue reading

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Reflection: Wrestling with God

Reflection for Western Heights Uniting Church 2nd of August, 2020 Genesis 32:22-31 I am writing this reflection on the day when the Victorian government announced that more than 723 Victorians had tested positive for Covid19, the highest daily count since … Continue reading

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The pandemic is making Australian media racism even more dangerous

Please, read this. And then be careful about which media you consume. Ketan Joshi Racism manifests in Australia’s media outlets in very specific ways. These are not immediately obvious to many, which means you have to carefully and patiently spell … Continue reading

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Reflection: Comfort during Covid19

Contrary to the theology of the wackier fringe churches we do not believe that our faith will keep us safe from the Covid19 dangers faced by others, any more than their faith in God protected Jesus or Paul from execution by the Romans. Continue reading

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Covid19 Diary 10: Signs of the Times

Samuel Pepys: July 20, 1665 … walked to Redriffe, where I hear the sickness is, and endeed is scattered almost everywhere – there dying 1089 of the plague this week … But Lord, to see how the plague spreads; it … Continue reading

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