18th Sunday after Trinity 2024 St Andrew’s Milngavie
Today we celebrated the 18th Sunday after Trinity accompanied by Hugh.
Yesterday several of us had a lovely afternoon in Govan. We began by crossing the new bridge at Partick and visiting Govan church. We then made our way to the Fairfield shipyard which was unexpectedly closed, so we made our way back to the well-reviewed Rhubarb and Honey Café but that was also unexpectedly closed! Luckily, we managed to secure a large table in the café at the Transport museum. Despite the slightly altered itinerary we had, in great St Andrew’s style, a most interesting and enjoyable afternoon. Thank you, Tim and Jane for organising it.
As you all know our thoughts and prayers have been with Clare and Steve and the family this week following the very sad death of our dear friend Pamela. Her funeral will be on Wednesday 2nd October at 12 noon followed by a service of cremation 1.30pm Clydebank Crem. Everyone is welcome to attend either or both services. Following the service tea will be served in the church hall.
Next Sunday 6th October is our Harvest celebration which will be followed by a Soup and Pud lunch after the service. Everyone is most welcome. Please do sign up on the sheet or let me know if you are able to contribute in any way with the lunch e.g. provide a pudding or a soup. Any harvest offerings for the alter will be gratefully received. Fresh fruit and veg and any preserves can be sold at the lunch.
This Week
Tuesday 10am – Prayer Group in the Garden Room.
Wednesday – 12pm Pamela’s funeral in church
Thursday 10am – Said Holy Communion followed by coffee in Friendship House, then visit from P5 Milngavie Primary School in church.
Sunday 10am – Sung Eucharist for Harvest Festival followed by lunch in hall
Readings for next Sunday – 19th Sunday after Trinity – Harvest – Isaiah 25:1-9 Philippians 4:1-9 Matthew 6:25-34
Today’s Readings – Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16,24-29, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50
I’m sure we can all too easily name people, events and circumstances that have tripped us up, interfered with our plans, and kept us from achieving getting what we want and hope for.
In other words, life is full of stumbling blocks and we see that today in our scriptures.
One of the things I love about scripture is that the stories we read and hear are our stories, they are about us and tell us so much about ourselves. Today’s readings do not disappoint as they all reflect this “stumbling block” theme. However, they speak of it coming from within our own souls and minds rather than an outside force.
In our first reading from Numbers, the Israelites are complaining about their conditions. Moses is overwhelmed and weary as he tries to lead them through the desert. And, as he complains to God about his heavy burden, God is sympathetic to him.
God then responds with a proposal that will take some of the onus off Moses by asking others to share the load. God takes some of Moses’ spirit and places it on seventy chosen elders, some of that spirit is given to two men, Eldad and Medad who begin to prophesy. This causes outrage and jealousy as they prophesy in the camp and not, as expected, in the tent. This oversight of theirs becomes a stumbling block to having their word accepted by the people. But rather than stop them Moses says that he wishes all God’s people would be filled with his spirit as they are.
Today’s gospel (Mark 9:38-50) tells a story about John and the other disciples running into a man who was casting out demons in Jesus’ name. They did not know this man, so they allowed this fact to be a stumbling block to accepting his ministry.
John does not say that this man interfered with the disciples’ work, or that he opposed them. He simply says, “He was not following us”
Last week the disciples argued among themselves about who is the greatest (Mark 9:30-37). This week (Mark 9:38-50) they are complaining about this other man, perhaps they thought he was a stumbling block to their ministries and relationship with Jesus.
In response to this, Jesus is asking them and us to look at ourselves, to be self-reflective. The greatest stumbling blocks are not outside us but often within us: guilt, anger, revenge, doubt, insecurity, self-absorption, judgmental, pride, fear, disappointment, our desire for control. These, and many other things like them, are what cause others and us to fall.
In this passage Jesus uses those images four times to talk about our betterment. “It is better for you…,” he says.
………. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands……………. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell…… It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.”
Graphic, uncomfortable images…. So, we may want to ask ourselves in what ways have we caused ourselves or someone else to stumble? And what might we need to change or give up in order to step into our better selves? As individuals, a nation, a church?
We are called to be building blocks rather than stumbling blocks. And it’s indeed a tough call!
As James epistle reaches its conclusion, he encourages his readers to overcome their stumbling blocks by being faithful in prayer. He also urges his people to support one another in their journeys of faith,
“Is anyone among you suffering? They should pray……… Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:13ff
Today is the feast day of St Micheal and all angels, those rather mystical figures who are known as God’s messenger sent from heaven to earth. The Archangel Michael being considered as the greatest of all the angels; being particularly honoured for defeating the devil in the war in heaven as described in the book of Revelation.
“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back ” Revelation 12:7
All through the Bible, angels are shown to reveal messages from God, and part of the glory of who we are is that we too are called to share God’s message of love and salvation to those around us. When we share our faith with others wonderful things can happen. The distance between heaven and earth blurs, and God is revealed to us. ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man’. Jesus tells us in John’s gospel. John 1:51
By being who we are and by being faithful to Christ, by proclaiming Christ’s in the world, by seeing everything in terms of our relationship with God, we bring closer that divide between earth and heaven.
Ultimately all we really need to remember that through Christ’s resurrection there are no stumbling blocks between heaven and earth