Reflection for the Day of Pentecost, May 31, 2020.

When Jesus taught the crowds He used broad, general principles and avoided laying down rules like the Scribes and Pharisees.   The Beatitudes are a good example of Jesus’ method – Blessed are the poor in spirit – Blesse...

Reflection for the Sunday after Ascension
 

Thursday of this week is Ascension Day, commemorating the end of the resurrection appearances.  It was necessary for Jesus to help the disciples to understand that He would no longer be a physical presence with them on earth....

Reflection

This period of lockdown has been the longest period in my life as a Christian that I have not been able to receive the Holy Communion.  Yet I have not felt any lessening of grace. As I thought about this I realised that through the Bible there is a very real...

Reflection on the Gospel

“Happy Easter!” “Thank you for ordering from us.” “You are the best!”   These are messages written by a local supplier, placed inside boxes delivered to us over the past few weeks of lockdown.  They encourage people to continue ordering online a...

Vicar’s Reflection: True Leadership, 4th Sunday of Easter. 3rd May 2020,

With confronting words Jesus outlines the true purpose of leadership: “that they may have life and have it to the full.” Jesus offers the role of the shepherd as his model. Here are three reflectio...

Vicar’s Reflection: Journeying together. 3rd Sunday of Easter. 26th April 2020,

On Friday 29 November 1985 I was ordained a Deacon by the Right Rev Watson Rosevear in St Paul’s Cathedral, Wellington. A year later I was ordained Priest by Bishop Brian Davis. So began a j...

Vicar’s Reflection: Small miracles. 2nd Sunday of Easter. 19th April 2020,

Two winters ago, I planted a lemon tree. It was in a good spot and it grew slowly as citrus often do at first, but it was healthy. Spring last year began with a heatwave remember? On November 3,...

Vicar’s Reflection: Sunday 12th April 2020, Easter Day

We have a horse paddock across the road from us. Five horses go about their daily lives grazing ten acres of north facing hillside with calm serenity.  They are unconcerned that the human creatures they share their...

Vicar’s Reflection: Sunday 5th April 2020, Lent 6, Palm Sunday

I am struck by the description of Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem because it is a crowd scene. There will be no crowds this Palm Sunday, or Holy Week, or the great festival of Easter. Covid 19 has struck. T...

Vicar’s Reflection: Passion Sunday. Sunday 29th March 2020, Lent 5

In ancient Greek sporting contests such as the first Olympic Games the events were called agons or agonies which means conflict, struggle or contest. This could be a contest in athletics, in chariot or h...