It seems like we live in a world of foxes, of cunning and slyness. Jesus shows us another way – that of the mother hen sheltering her chickens under her wings, but it is a way of sacrifice.

When it all seems like chaos, that is the moment we most need faith.

Jesus’ example of resisting the lures of the devil shows us that we, made in God’s image, may also resist temptation; and also demonstrates Jesus’ humanity, as well as his divinity.

What will ground our faith in this very uncertain world we live in, with Russian aggression threatening war in Europe, and closer to home the March of Omicron rapidly increasing its footprint around us?

God sends out his word into the world, in order to accomplish what he wants accomplished.  This gives us great reason to live in hope.  Because God is all-powerful, we know that his will will be accomplished, and there will be peace on earth.

Jesus tells us to love our enemies.  Does that include the really awful people we know?  How can we love them?

Well if there’s any week to be reading this extract from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain it’s this one – ‘love your enemies’ Jesus says, and here we are on the 13th day of a protest within the Parliamentary precincts now involving around 1000 people with 750 tents and 800 cars, and an increasing number here in Chch in Cranmer Square.

The beatitudes, or beautiful attitudes, are the raw, unvarnished, faith-rattling, rules of God. How do we each measure ourselves on such rules as these?

When Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet he felt unsuitable but God commissioned him to a ministry involving deconstruction as well as construction. Ministry in the last 11 years has involved both sorrows and joys but God has been with us all and will continue to lead St Barnabas into an exciting future.

Special guest preacher Rev. Mike Hawke, currently Church Support Officer at the Anglican Missions Board, joins us across our morning services this Sunday. Do tune in and enjoy his message!