Genuine world peace sometimes feels as though it’s just an impossible dream. There’s so much conflict in the world, so much upheaval, there doesn’t appear to be enough room left for real peace.

However, individual people and organisations all around the world are trying, are working towards a genuine peace. For sure, it doesn’t make the front pages of our newspapers as much as we’d like. But that may well be as much to do with the fact that bad news and conflict sell more than good news and peace.

There is much still to do. And the sheer size of the task is overwhelming. But that should not, must not, stop us from making an effort. As an individual it sounds impossible; but once we’re able to look around and start to see what others are doing, and then joining our efforts with their efforts, it doesn’t seem quite so daunting.

Reminds me of the Starfish story:

If enough of us start to throw starfish back into the ocean we can make a difference: if enough of us start to do even small things towards peace we can make a difference. Don’t be overwhelmed by the hugeness of the task, just concentrate upon the bit that you can affect. It’s all too easy to be overwhelmed, and do nothing; but every little bit can make a difference — especially when added to lots of other little bits.

God our Saviour,
look on this wounded world
in pity and in power;
hold us fast to your promises of peace
won for us by your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Additional Collect for The Third Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

I have always enjoyed sitting by water of any kind — rivers, lakes, gravel pits, or the sea — and probably don’t do it often enough nowadays. For me, it’s a great way to become aware of the presence of God, through the beauty of his created world. I very nearly took up fishing once, just for the excuse it would’ve given to sit by the water for hours at a time, absorbing the peace of God which passes all understanding.

But when the disciples met with Jesus by the lakeside after that first Easter (John 21:1-19), it would not have been the peaceful event I describe. Jesus was dead. Their dear friend and leader, the person they’d invested all their hopes in, was dead. They must’ve been completely devastated, and probably only went fishing because they just didn’t know what else to do.

They’d worked hard all night, but to no avail, and were heading back to shore. Nothing was going right for them, and I imagine they must have been extremely depressed. As they approached shore they saw a man standing watching them. As happened in many of the resurrection stories, they didn’t recognize him immediately. But this stranger encouraged them to do something a little differently, shift their position so to speak. Perhaps they thought he could see something from his vantage point that they couldn’t. But, whatever the reason, they followed his advice, and caught a huge net-full of fish. It was then that they realized who it was on the beach.

And when they finally hauled their catch to shore, Jesus welcomed them with a warm fire and breakfast cooking. That must have been an incredible welcome for those disciples, cold and wet as they were. I can imagine the turmoil their emotions were going through.

One of the things that grabs my attention in this story is that Jesus didn’t really mention the huge catch of fish. Apart from a few fish to add to what was cooking on the fire for them all to eat, nothing is said about them. They were a gift; freely given for the disciples to do with as they would, there were no pre-conditions, no strings attached, nothing — just a gift.

After they’d eaten their breakfast, after they’d been given the gift of a huge catch of fish, Jesus asked Peter, three times, if he loved him. And in doing so, renewed Peter’s calling, and through him the rest of the disciples’, and even our calling too — theirs, and our, calling to love and care for our fellow human beings.

Maybe when we truly recognize, and act on, that calling, that vocation, we might be able to bring others to warm themselves in the fire of Jesus’ love.

Risen Christ,
by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples:
help your Church to obey your command
and draw the nations to the fire of your love,
to the glory of God the Father.

Additional Collect for The Sixth Sunday of Easter
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

Following the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples were filled with boldness and fresh hope, and went on to found the early Church. Those tired and defeated men who had slipped away fearing for their lives following the crucifixion came back strengthened sufficiently to change history. I have to admit, I find that one of the more compelling arguments in favour of the resurrection as a “real” event in history. I don’t think those men could have done what they did without it.

And here we are, in this Collect for The Third Sunday of Easter, praying for that same strength; strength to proclaim the risen Christ to the world. Now, I don’t think for one minute that I’m going to change history, as the disciples did. But that shouldn’t stop me from trying to share my faith with others. After all, I’ve benefited so much from it, and so can others.

And, in light of the “Great Commission”, it’s difficult to avoid the responsibility to share our faith with others. The Great Commission is the instruction to his disciples by the resurrected Jesus Christ, that they spread his teachings to all the peoples of the world. Although a version of it appears in Luke, John and Acts, the version we’re probably most familiar with is to be found in the Gospel of Matthew (28:16-20). In Luke, Jesus tells the disciples to preach repentance and forgiveness, and promises that they will have divine power. In John, Jesus says the disciples will have the Holy Spirit and the authority to forgive sins and to withhold forgiveness. In Acts, Jesus promises the disciples that the Holy Spirit will inspire them. And in Matthew, Jesus directs the disciples to baptise people of all nations in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinitarian formula. It has become one of the major doctrines in Christian theology, emphasizing, as it does, missionary work, evangelism, and baptism.

So let us pray that we, too, will be filled with boldness and fresh hope; so that we’ll be strong enough to proclaim Christ’s risen life, and, yes, let’s pray, too, that we’ll be filled to overflowing with his peace, so that we can share that too.

Risen Christ,
you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope:
strengthen us to proclaim your risen life
and fill us with your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Additional Collect for The Third Sunday of Easter
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

The traditional name for today, The Fifth Sunday of Lent, is Passion Sunday. It marks the beginning of the last two weeks of Lent, traditionally called Passiontide. I think the Roman Catholic Church has, since 1969, transferred the name Passion Sunday to be an alternative for next Sunday, Palm Sunday. And many Anglican provinces have followed the Roman Catholic lead. The Church of England, as far as I understand things from the lectionary, allows for either. The Collects, however, read as though we should still call this Sunday by its traditional name. Personally, I prefer to keep the traditional name because of the way it points us towards the passion of Christ.

Today’s Collect tells us in no uncertain terms what Christ’s death achieved for us — eternal peace: the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). We can enjoy a peace-filled eternal life because of what God, through his Son, did for us on the cross. He suffered the agonies of crucifixion so that we may know eternal peace.

That’s how much God loves us! Isn’t that an incredible thought?! Every year at this time, in the two weeks of Passiontide, I shed many a tear thinking about the sacrifice that was made for me.

“Amazing Love, O what sacrifice, The Son of God, given for me” Graham Kendrick.

Gracious Father,
you gave up your Son
out of love for the world:
lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion,
that we may know eternal peace
through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Additional Collect for The Fifth Sunday of Lent
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

On each day during Passiontide last year I published a short reflection on one of the Stations of the Cross. Here is a linked-list of those posts; they may help you on your journey through these last two weeks of Lent.

Today marks the beginning of another new year. I wonder what 2010 holds for us, and how it might compare to the year just gone by. It’s probably just as well that, at this early start to the year, none of can really know the answer to that.

Here in the UK we don’t seem to be coming through this recession as quickly as many countries, although we are beginning to see signs of recovery. I imagine there are still difficult times ahead for some people. Too many people are still facing the loss of employment, with all the stress and uncertainty that brings in its wake. I know, from experience, how difficult this situation is for people, especially at this time of year: my heart and my prayers go out to those in need at this time.

One thing we do know is that before the end of the year we’ll have a new government here in the UK. Even if the current government are re-elected, which I doubt, there will be quite a number of new faces, as several of our mp’s have announced that they’ll be standing down at the next general election following the expenses revelations. There could well be some shocks in store at that time, as so many people have lost faith in their politicians and are changing the way they vote. I hope and pray that new people will be elected for the “right” reasons, and that our politicians will begin to do what’s best for those they serve.

There is still far too much conflict around the world, in too many places to name individually. I hope and pray that 2010 will see a lessening, if not a cease, in hostilities; and that the leaders of the nations will find ways to work in collaboration together to bring about the lasting peace that so many yearn for.

As for me, personally, my main hope is that my health will be more settled and predictable. Stability would make it all much easier to cope with, even if it was poor but stable. I hope to continue pretty much as I have been with my Church duties; things seem to be working out about right for me, and hopefully for those I serve too.

On the whole I’m really pleased with the way things have gone with this blog. The main focus is still a reflection based in some way on the weekly collect — using the Additional Collects of the Church of England. And the other regular items seem to be working out okay too. Hard to believe that it’s been going for two years now.

If you’re someone who only reads my posts in a feed-reader, you may not have noticed that I gave the blog a birthday present recently. The look has changed considerably. I’m using the Lifestyle theme from Studiopress now, and very pleased with how it’s working out.

If you have any comments or suggestions for improvements, I would always be glad to hear them — either through the comments system or the contact form. I can’t promise to follow every idea, but will give it consideration.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you head into 2009. May we all find ways of living the rest of our lives to the honour and glory of God.

Eternal Lord God,
we give you thanks for bringing us through the changes of time
to the beginning of another year.
Forgive us the wrong we have done in the year that is past,
and help us to spend the rest of our days
to your honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Collect for the New Year,
from Common Worship: Times and Seasons
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

Hold us fast to your promises of peace

Real world peace sometimes feels as though it’s just an impossible dream. There’s so much conflict in the world, so much upheaval, there doesn’t appear to be enough room left for real peace.

However, individual people and organisations all around the world are trying, are working towards a genuine peace. For sure, it doesn’t make the front pages of our newspapers as much as we’d like. But that may well be as much to do with the fact that bad news and conflict sell more than good news and peace.

There is much still to do. And the sheer size of the task is overwhelming. But that should not, must not, stop us from making an effort. As an individual it sounds impossible; but once we’re able to look around and start to see what others are doing, and then joining our efforts with their efforts, it doesn’t seem quite so daunting.

Reminds me of the Starfish story — which I thought I’d already put on the blog a long time ago, and was going to link to, but it must have been one of those intentions that got missed out (so I’ll add it here). This is based on a story by Loren Eisley:

If enough of us start to throw starfish back into the ocean we can make a difference: if enough of us start to do even small things towards peace we can make a difference. Don’t be overwhelmed by the hugeness of the task, just concentrate upon the bit that you can affect. It’s all too easy to be overwhelmed, and do nothing; but every little bit can make a difference — especially when added to lots of other little bits.

God our Saviour,
look on this wounded world
in pity and in power;
hold us fast to your promises of peace
won for us by your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Additional Collect for The Third Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

Draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love

I have mentioned my trip to Walsingham in April on here before. It was a quite profound experience in many ways, and I often find myself thinking about it in one way or another. When I read the Collect for today, Trinity Sunday, my thoughts were once again drawn to Walsingham.

While I was there, I spent a pleasant afternoon in the grounds of the old abbey. I hadn’t realized that they covered such a vast area as they do. I wasn’t able to explore everywhere, but during the course of the afternoon, with lots of stops to rest, I did manage to see quite a lot — and next time I go to Walsingham I will try to see some of what I had to miss.

Everywhere you looked there was something drawing you ever deeper into the grounds: a new path to follow; sunlight peeping through into a clearing ahead; wild flowers to see; the remains of a building or wall that was hundreds of years old. It was an incredibly peaceful place to be; the only sounds to be heard were the birds singing, and the occasional chatter of other people enjoying the place too.

It occurs to me that God’s love for us is a little like that. There are always new aspects of his love to explore and experience. And the more we experience it, the more we want to experience of it. We are drawn ever deeper into God’s love, we can feel it encompassing our very beings, and bringing us peace and joy.

I was disappointed on that day in Walsingham because my poor health prevented me from seeing so much more of the grounds. But there are no such barriers to experiencing God’s love; nothing will ever get in the way of that. As St Paul writes, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Let us all allow ourselves to be drawn ever deeper into God’s amazing love, to experience again and again the peace and the joy it can bring us.

Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,
and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,
that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Additional Collect for Trinity Sunday
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

The pictures on this post were taken in the grounds of the old abbey at Walsingham. Larger versions, and other pictures, can be found in my “Four Days in Walsingham” set on Flickr.

That all may know your peace

Today is the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the Sunday after Ascension Day, in the Church of England’s Common Worship lectionary; and, I think, in the Revised Common lectionary that many Churches use around the world.

I was fortunate enough to experience a real sense of God’s peace filling me while I was in Walsingham recently. And in a very real way, that peace has stayed with me. I have felt much more at peace with God, with myself, and with the world, since my return.

A lot of that could well be because I’ve been feeling considerably better with my health since my return too. That begs the question, do I feel better as a result of that experience in Walsingham, or do I feel more at peace because I feel so much better? To confuse the issue, there has been a small change in medication too.

The nature of the health condition I have does mean it is cyclical. I do experience good patches in amongst all of the bad patches; but it has been quite a while since my last good patch. I’m not pain free, not by any means, I still get some pain every day. And there have been a few days when I’ve thought this good patch was coming to an end already. But, on the whole, I’m happy to be still in one of the best patches with my health that I’ve had for years. And hoping it will continue for a lot longer, while accepting that it could end at any time. The story I posted yesterday has helped with that acceptance.

I do find being in a Church on my own is usually a very peaceful experience. And I’m fortunate enough to be able to go into Godmanchester Church at any time, and just sit for a while. But that isn’t possible for many people because so many of our Churches are locked; which is really sad. I do, though, understand why: Godmanchester Church always used to be kept open until we experienced an upsetting act of vandalism. It would be really good if we could find a way for more Churches to be kept open, so more people could experience God’s peace in those places of prayer.

Another place I can experience a real sense of God’s presence and peace being with me is by water of any kind — rivers, lakes, gravel pits, or the sea. That’s somewhere that is much more accessible for most people.

Where do you go to be most at peace, with God, yourself, and the world? Do you have a special place? Are you able to find peace anywhere, and everywhere?

I pray that all may experience God’s peace, the peace that passes all understanding, today.

Risen, ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the father. Amen.

Additional Collect for The Seventh Sunday of Easter
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

By the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples

I have always enjoyed sitting by water of any kind — rivers, lakes, gravel pits, or the sea — and probably don’t do it often enough nowadays. For me, it’s a great way to become aware of the presence of God, through the beauty of his created world. I very nearly took up fishing once, just for the excuse it would’ve given to sit by the water for hours at a time, absorbing the peace of God which passes all understanding.

But when the disciples met with Jesus by the lakeside after that first Easter (John 21:1-19), it would not have been the peaceful event I describe. Jesus was dead. Their dear friend and leader, the person they’d invested all their hopes in, was dead. They must’ve been completely devastated, and probably only went fishing because they just didn’t know what else to do.

They’d worked hard all night, but to no avail, and were heading back to shore. Nothing was going right for them, and I imagine they must have been extremely depressed. As they approached shore they saw a man standing watching them. As happened in many of the resurrection stories, they didn’t recognize him immediately. But this stranger encouraged them to do something a little differently, shift their position so to speak. Perhaps they thought he could see something from his vantage point that they couldn’t. But, whatever the reason, they followed his advice, and caught a huge net-full of fish. It was then that they realized who it was on the beach.

And when they finally hauled their catch to shore, Jesus welcomed them with a warm fire and breakfast cooking. That must have been an incredible welcome for those disciples, cold and wet as they were. I can imagine the turmoil their emotions were going through.

One of the things that grabs my attention in this story is that Jesus didn’t really mention the huge catch of fish. Apart from a few fish to add to what was cooking on the fire for them all to eat, nothing is said about them. They were a gift; freely given for the disciples to do with as they would, there were no pre-conditions, no strings attached, nothing — just a gift.

After they’d eaten their breakfast, after they’d been given the gift of a huge catch of fish, Jesus asked Peter, three times, if he loved him. And in doing so, renewed Peter’s calling, and through him the rest of the disciples’, and even our calling too — theirs, and our, calling to love and care for our fellow human beings.

Maybe when we truly recognize, and act on, that calling, that vocation, we might be able to bring others to warm themselves in the fire of Jesus’ love.

Risen Christ,
by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples:
help your Church to obey your command
and draw the nations to the fire of your love,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Additional Collect for The Sixth Sunday of Easter
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council

To the beginning of another year

A very happy and blessed New Year to all readers!

And so we come to the beginning of another new year. I wonder what 2009 holds for us, how will it compare to the year just gone by? None of us can really know the answer to that as yet, which is, perhaps, just as well.

The current difficulties in the world’s economies certainly mean that many people are starting this year with much less optimism than last. Too many people are facing the loss of employment, with all the stress and uncertainty that brings in its wake. I know, from experience, how difficult this situation is for people, especially at this time of year: my heart and my prayers go out to those in need at this time.

There is still far too much conflict around the world, in too many places to name individually. I hope and pray that 2009 will see a lessening, if not a cease, in hostilities; and that the leaders of the nations will find ways to work in collaboration together to bring about the lasting peace that so many yearn for.

My own personal desires and aims are much the same as they were at the beginning of 2008. In fact, they’re still so applicable, I’ll just repeat them here: “I’d like to see an improvement in my health — it has been difficult recently. It may not happen of course. But whatever the year ahead holds, I hope I can live it in the way that God wants me to; and I will continue to trust in him for the future as I step out in faith.”

One thing that is very different this year, to what it was last year, is this blog. The post I wrote, with the same title, last year was the third post on the blog; this one is number 176. On the whole I’m really pleased with the way things have gone. The main focus of the blog is still a reflection based in some way on the weekly collect — using the Additional Collects of the Church of England. But that focus has expanded somewhat over the last few months to include other areas of interest; I do hope you enjoy the extra as much as I do.

A few practical points about the blog:

• On the whole I’ve been trying to publish my reflections on the Collect the day before it’s actual day — my thinking was that it just might be helpful to someone in their own preparations, but I don’t think they’re being used that way at all. So I’ve decided that it makes more sense to publish on the day the Collect is for in future.
• WordPress continues to be my blogging platform of choice. I like the direction it’s taking, and have been especially enamoured of this latest (2.7) release. The changes they’ve made to the back-end have been really great, and made things considerably easier with the administration tasks on the blog.
• I really like the clean lines of the current theme (Code Gray) that I have on the blog. But to get it looking just how I wanted, I’ve had to make a considerable number of changes to the code. That’s okay, until the time comes when the theme needs upgrading, and they’ll all need re-doing. So I keep looking, and it will probably change again.
• I’m phasing out the Feedburner supply of the RSS feed, and just using the built in WordPress feed. It was sometimes taking several hours for the feed to show in a reader, whereas with the built in system it’s minutes at most. If you are still subscribed through the Feedburner address, could I ask you, please, to resubscribe — the url is: http://www.paulsibley.net/feed/
• A question for you — is the blog title, “kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth”, too long? I’ve been considering the possibility of shortening to just, “kneel in wonder”, but can’t make my mind up about it. Opinions would be valued.
• If you have any comments or suggestions for improvements, I would always be glad to hear them — either through the comments system or the contact form. I can’t promise to follow every idea, but will give it consideration.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you head into 2009. May we all find ways of living the rest of our lives to the honour and glory of God.

Eternal Lord God,
we give you thanks for bringing us through the changes of time
to the beginning of another year.
Forgive us the wrong we have done in the year that is past,
and help us to spend the rest of our days
to your honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Collect for the New Year,
from Common Worship: Times and Seasons
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council