THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
3rd July 2026
Greetings,
The gospel for this Sunday (Matthew 11.16-19, 25-end) takes us to the Market Square, an arena not only of commerce but of lively interaction and play. Jesus upbraids his generation as one that will neither play nor mourn. Neither joyful melody nor mournful lament will shake them out of their torpor. The point is that they will not respond to God's call to live fully in the present moment, whatever the nature of that moment. There is always a supposed reason to stand back in criticism or to delay for some other supposedly urgent matter. But what can be more urgent than embracing the fulness of life that God gives? For as one of Sunday's hymns reminds us, Now is eternal life. In the course of life there are many potential causes of inhibition and withdrawal culminating in a shadowy, unfulfilled existence. It's particularly ironic and tragic when religious practice itself is so twisted and misunderstood as to become one of them. One of the early fathers of the church, St. Irenaeus famously said, The glory of God is a human being fully alive. So whatever our circumstances, sickness, health, sorrow or joy, we must renew that intent to live fully for God, reflecting the glory of Christ.
Blessings,
Charles Booth
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