At a time of year when our local shepherds gather in the sheep for shearing, this theme of gathering together again after a long time apart is very current, as tomorrow in England sees the lifting of legal restrictions on our meeting and travelling. This will be both a relief and a cause of anxiety: what politicians are calling ‘Freedom Day’ feels less liberating than it might, as we’re asked to enter it with caution, and with particular care for others, especially those who are most vulnerable to Covid-19. How we long to be gathered together again with friends, family and neighbours who we may have kept in touch with over the past 16 months but who we’ve not been able - or felt able - to see. But we long to be gathered in safety.

A talk for the Seventh Sunday after Trinity, 18 July 2021.

Find the text to this and all my talks at bit.ly/johndavies-talks.