Clergy Notes — February 9, 2025

Today’s Gospel is another example of Jesus’ ministry making visible the outrageously generous love of God. A couple of weeks ago we heard how the host at a wedding reception was saved from social disgrace by the transformation of water into wine – to be precise an incredible amount of top quality vino.

Now we hear about how Jesus addressed the frustration of Peter and his fellow fishermen. Apparently, even after a night of heavy toil, they had caught nothing worth mentioning. He suggests that they try once more, maybe in the deep water. The results are amazing. The nets are not able to contain the huge catch without starting to tear. Once the boats are loaded, they are in danger of sinking. What a picture Luke paints!

The rest of the passage shows how we are encouraged to respond to such expressions of God’s great generosity. This begins with an acknowledgement of our own inadequacy and shortcomings. “Our misusings of God’s grace, our prayer so languid and our faith so dim”, as the old hymn puts it. Peter says, “Depart from me, Lord, because I am a sinful person”. But it cannot not stop there. Repentance must lead to action. We are challenged to accept Jesus’ invitation to self-denial and an active engagement with the church’s mission.

Jesus’ metaphor of fishing for people is an appropriate one. Anyone who has tried this activity will know that it takes preparation, dexterity, skill and patience. Sometimes the results of our missionary zeal will be as disappointing as the first part of today’s story and sometimes, with God’s help, we will be wonderfully surprised at what happens.

Fr. Neil G.

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Clergy Notes — January 26, 2025

The letters of Paul to the Christians of Corinth make for fascinating and instructive reading. The passage from Paul’s first letter today precedes the well-known, and often misunderstood, passage set for next Sunday.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that to follow the way of Christ means being part of a community. Yes, our individual faith – our relationship with Christ – is vital to us, but we are made aware that we do not develop or grow in faith without being in relationship with others.

When we consider the community of which we are a part, we recognize that many people, including ourselves, make up the community. Each and every service at St. James’, (which is at the heart of our lives as followers of Christ), depends on the presence, participation and offerings of many individuals. This is the case for both on-line as well as in-person services. We can’t drink coffee or enjoy the snacks unless someone prepares them. Without someone to set up Zoom links or prepare worship bulletins we can’t participate. We cannot appreciate the warmth of the building without financial offerings. We won’t enjoy flowers in church unless people offer to arrange them. Without our choir or sanctuary guild our experience of the service would be very different. And so it goes on: many aspects of our life together rely on the skills, experience and offerings of our fellow attendees.

And what do we have to offer? First and foremost, our regular presence at the 9:00 am and 10:30 am (as well as weekday) liturgies. We cannot be part of the body of Christ without being here.

And what next? All of us have gifts we can offer: speaking to the person sitting close to us in church; asking people we don’t know how their week was. Or can we help with coffee hour or a social event. Taking the bulletin home and using it to stay informed and take part in events, but also to pray for those who are mentioned in the Prayers of the People. Not sure what you can offer? Speak to a Warden or Mother Amanda. There are always ways to use the skills and experience we have to make our contribution.

Most of all, to be an active member of the body of Christ, come to worship, pray and be open to the possibilities of what we can contribute to enlarge and enhance the life of this community.

Fr Stephen Rowe

Click here to find the Liturgy at Home for Sunday

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