Today is the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s account of Jesus going on a sabbath to a meal in the house of a leader of the Pharisees.  First, Jesus sees there a man who had dropsy (verses 2-6) and challenges the Pharisees’ view about healing on the sabbath. Then he observes closely the social etiquette of the occasion and makes two points of stark criticism.  The purpose of offering hospitality, he argues, should not be the hope of hospitality returned, but the joy of selfless giving to those who are in no position to offer anything in return.
         
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 open table. In today’s picture from their book, The Big Chapel, Aled and Sian are serving at table for the lunch club.   


Lord Jesus Christ,
you open your table to all people.
Give us generous hearts
that we may be open to the needs of others;
for you are our God.
Amen.


Next week, the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, the reading from Luke’s Gospel continues Jesus’ final journey toward Jerusalem. Jesus urges his followers to be well prepared. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is squirrels. 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 Tenth Sunday after Trinity, when the Gospel reading is Luke’s account of Jesus’ healing a woman on the sabbath. This healing brings Jesus into controversy with the authorities, this time the leader of the synagogue.  Jesus’ reply sees healing as release from bondage to Satan and therefore a clear sign of the reign of God.  Such release is highly appropriate on the sabbath, the day God gave to Israel as a weekly release from the bondage of labour.  Jesus effects the healing and the release by placing his hands on the woman.
 
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 healing hands. In today’s picture from their book, Special People, Aled and Sian are being welcomed by the healing hands of the nurse at the Health Centre.   
 
 
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
you laid your hands on the sick
and brought them healing.
Teach us to follow your example
that we may bring healing to others;
for you are our God.
Amen.
 
Next week, the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, the reading from Luke’s Gospel continues Jesus’ final journey toward Jerusalem. On the way Jesus was invited on a sabbath to a meal in the house of a leader of the Pharisees. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is open table. 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 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.