THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
17th May 2025
Greetings.
In our politically-correct or woke culture, tomorrow's reading from The Acts of the Apostles (ch.11.1-18) could be controversial. The instruction to Peter, rise .... kill and eat, referring to animals forbidden as food in Jewish practice, might be regarded as offensive to vegetarians and vegans. And, I must admit, as a non meat-eater it is not a passage I particularly relish. It's ironic therefore that this text is really about inclusion. It is saying that Jesus died for all, including Gentiles (in spite of their strange dietary habits), and that the community of the risen Lord obliterates conventional boundaries. As Paul wrote in the Letter to the Galatians, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (3.28).
Tomorrow is the culmination of Christian Aid Week. It's an opportunity to act on the conviction that Christ died for all that all might live, and not only after death but before it too! Am I my brother's keeper? was Cain's guilty retort to God in Genesis. The answer to the man who had just slain his brother was a resounding Yes! We have responsibility one for another and we musn't be content to limit that responsibility to those closest to us, to those we like or feel comfortable with. The duty of faith knows no bounds. It's a long way from the shores of Lake Galilee to the English Channel but if Peter and his fellows had resisted the goading of the Spirit, if they hadn't accepted their responsibility to Gentiles who they no doubt found challenging, then the Gospel would never have reached these shores.
This evening (7pm) St. Mark's Singers present Songs for the Seasons as a fundraiser for Christian Aid's work in some of the world's poorest communities. I commend it to you. Likewise, Tuesday's Community Lunch will be for Christian Aid. Details of both events are on the attached Pew Sheet. Please also note a temporary change to the pattern of services. Next Sunday (25th) the 8am Holy Communion will be at All Saints' and there will be no service of Evensong that day. On Wednesday 28th there will be no 10am service of Holy Communion at St. Mark's. Instead, it will be on Thursday 29th at 10am in celebration of Ascension Day.
Every blessing,
Charles Booth
A copy of Daily Prayer for Eastertide is attached which can be used in conjunction with the psalms and readings listed on the Pew Sheet.
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