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‘THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK’ FROM THE REVEREND STEPHEN GUISE, PRIEST IN CHARGE – TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 30 AUGUST
Fra Angelico, Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven, c1428-30, The National Gallery, London
Dear Friends
To our polite, middle-class ears, Jesus’ rebuke to Peter, for being horrified at the thought of his master having to face a public and shameful death on a cross, may seem almost savage and unnecessarily strong.
But perhaps having early on in his life of mission been tempted by Satan with similar words, in an attempt to deflect him, Jesus sees the danger that Peter could be beguiled away from the hard road of discipleship. Jesus knows that he himself must pursue his destiny and duty by accepting the cross, in order to fulfil what he had been sent on earth to do – to save humanity. To do otherwise would be to play into the hands of the Tempter.
It’s a pivotal moment. Last week we saw Peter acknowledging Jesus’ true identity with the words: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’. But now, in today’s narrative, we see the same disciple almost turning 180o – failing to understand that, contrary to the interpretation of many at the time, the Messiah’s destiny was to suffer and die. Peter completely misreads the situation – ‘God forbid that this should happen to you’. He little comprehends that it is imperative that Jesus must take, not the broad and easy high road, but the narrow path which will lead to the cross – to avoid this would be to fail to fulfil the messianic purpose for which the Father had sent him. It was, paradoxically, the only way in which Christ could open the way to heaven for us, and hence, ultimately, to come in his kingdom, with his angels in glory.
Fr Stephen
Collect for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
Service Times
10:00am Family Service
Second Sunday in the Month
10:00am Parish Eucharist
Third Sunday in the Month
08:00am Holy Communion
08:00am Holy Communion
Useful links
Here are some links to resources you may find helpful:
- Chichester Cathedral will be live streaming services. For the Eucharist and order of service Click here before 10:00am Sunday and follow the instructions.
- The BBC Daily Service is available here.
- Prayer for today.
- The C of E youtube channel.
- Hearing You is a new phone help line launched by the Diocese of Chichester in partnership with Together in Sussex in response to the impact that Covid 19 has had on Just about the whole community. It aims to provide pastoral support and a listening ear to the recently bereaved and people directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
- COVID-19 advice from the Diocese of Chichester here.