Today is the Ninth Sunday after Trinity, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s account of Jesus’ teaching to the crowd, saying that they are better at reading the weather than reading the signs of the times and reading the mind of God. At this point in Luke’s Gospel Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem and the events leading to his crucifixion. On that journey Jesus understands his own ministry and impending suffering as signalling the moment of crisis and judgement for God’s chosen people.  The signs are there, if only the people would read them.   
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of weather forecast. In today’s picture from his book, Good Morning, Teddy Horsley has read the weather signs carefully and taken his umbrella.   
 
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
you teach your people
to read the signs of the times.
Open our eyes to the signs of your presence,
that we may serve you as you desire;
now and always.
Amen.
 
Next week, the Tenth Sunday after Trinity, the reading from Luke’s Gospel continues Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem where he will be arrested and crucified. On the way Jesus heals someone on the sabbath. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is healing hands. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. 

Today is the Eighth Sunday after Trinity, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s account of Jesus’ teaching to his disciples to be alert and to be prepared. This teaching comes at the very beginning of Jesus’ final journey toward Jerusalem, when the precise timing and strategy for his arrest remain uncertain. It is like the owner of the house being prepared for a break-in. He does not know precisely when the thief will come. The owner of the house needs to stay alert.


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of home security. In today’s picture from his book, Teddy Horsley Feasts with Jesus, Teddy Horsley makes sure that the front door is securely locked before he sets off on his journey to church.   


Lord Jesus Christ,
you call your people
to be ready for your coming.
Prepare our hearts,
that we may be ready to welcome you;
for you are our God.
Amen.


Next week, the Nineth Sunday after Trinity, the reading from Luke’s Gospel continues Jesus’ teaching as he progresses his final journey toward Jerusalem where he will be arrested and crucified. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is weather forecast. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.