The First Sunday After Trinity - Reflection by Canon Leslie

Now that the major themes of the Easter Season, Pentecost and Trinity Sunday have been concluded, the Sunday lectionary this year takes us back to the unfolding narrative of Matthew’s Gospel. The passage selected for today marks a really significant point in Matthew’s Gospel when Jesus gathers the twelve disciples together and commissions them to do what they had already experienced Jesus doing. Jesus commissions them to proclaim the reign of God and to display the reign of God by sharing in God’s life-giving work.
 
In this passage Matthew takes the opportunity to name the twelve disciples and in so doing invites us to reflect on Jesus’ strategy. To proclaim and to display the reign of God Jesus calls together twelve key people into a learning community. Here are twelve people who visit the same synagogue, who eat at the same table, who learn and grow together. Here are twelve people called into friendship with each other and with Jesus.
 
Today’s image to help us reflect on the experience of those twelve disciples is friends. Today’s picture draws on Aled and Siȃn’s experience of talking with their friends. Through talking with friends their horizons are lifted, their experiences are expanded, and their interpretation of the world is enriched. Aled and Siȃn invite you to bring that image of friends with you as you prepare your hearts and your homes for participating in the Sunday Eucharist broadcast from Liverpool Cathedral.
 
The image for next Sunday, when the Gospel reading is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ teaching for the disciples, is companion animals. The disciples can learn a lot from the way in which God cares for the sparrows. 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. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to [email protected].

When considering a craft activity for next Sunday, consider origami birds as one possibility. There is a great tradition in Japan (and now other places) of making origami cranes as signs of peace. The Peace Memorial in Hiroshima is a particular focus for these. You can learn more here: https://origami.me/crane/. 

The picture above is taken from the book, Journeys, a part of the series of books entitled Exploring Our World for 3 to 7 year old learners. You can find the whole book and the entire series of Exploring Our World books on the St. Mary’s Centre website, http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources/Exploring%20Our%20World.html.
 
Last month I launched a national survey to explore how churchgoers are feeling during the lockdown. I hope that many people who visit this website today will be willing to participate in the survey. It is completely anonymous and confidential. Find out more here https://tinyurl.com/ycsq9fy2.
 
We warmly welcome you to join us in worship here: 

Our Breakfast and the Bible materials are available here: 

Breakfast and the Bible on Trinity 1
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​Canon Leslie
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