Reflections on Friday’s Gospel: Recent Episodes
Oliver Brewer-Lennon
Sermon preached at the final service of the 2023-2024 term – and my last as chaplain at the University of Glasgow. The uplifting Choral Evensong featured an innovative programme of electronic music. (Ezekiel 1.4-14 & Revelation 21.1-5)
The value of embracing faith’s mysteries and unconventional paths in navigating life’s challenges and inspiring creative solutions (Matthew 1.18-25)
Jesus tells his disciples how to pray, inviting them to consider the impact of their words and the authenticity of their prayers (Matthew 6.7-15)
Transforming academic challenges into opportunities for growth and collaboration (Galatians 2.1-10)
Is there truly no meaning in the pursuit of wisdom? Explore Solomon’s advice to academics and seekers of knowledge. (Ecclesiastes 2)
Challenging the allure of ‘cool’ – the value of unbridled passion inspired by St Ignatius of Antioch (John 12.23-26)
As we explore the world through research and scholarship, let us also examine ourselves (Mark 12.35-44)
If you want to know whose side God is on in a dispute, you don’t have to use your imagination. (John 5.1-18)
Some might think the Church is unnecessarily concerned with what goes on with people’s bodies, but God’s relationship to people is a physical one. (1 Corinthians 6.12-20)
So let’s give thanks to the Lord above, cause Santa Claus comes tonight. (Ezekiel 3:16-21 & 1 Peter 5.1-4)
The beast St John sees in his vision puts flesh and bone to genuine concerns. Creatures like this emerge in difficult times. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13.1-10)
Listen to those who’ve been there, done it, and got the t-shirt. Those who think so little of you are in for a surprise. (Wisdom 5.1-5,14-16)
John describes what other visionaries and prophets have relayed about their encounters with God throughout the ages. (Revelation 1)
Being a Christian requires the same stuff as being a good friend, says Paul. (Philippians 1.1-11)
You can change the world by being the kind of person you want to be. Sometimes, you might want to be like Francis. (Matthew 10.5-22)
If Jesus’ disciples only showed up to hear him in today’s Gospel, they could’ve done worse. Jesus brings it into focus what it’s all been about. (John 15:12-17)
Some listening to Jesus in today’s Gospel saw themselves in the story he told, but they realised they weren’t the heroes. (Matthew 21.33-43,45-46)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions his disciples against underestimating how important the rules are. (Matthew 5.20-26)
The way of discipleship might be embarrassing, but perhaps the greater embarrassment is to deny we need help. (Mark 8.34-9.1)
Unhealthy suspicion grips us all at some point, and gaining perspective can be difficult. (Mark 6.14-29)
Hearing the list of the apostles’ names read out today might give us pause for thought. Today’s Gospel is useful in reminding us that there are more stories to be told. (Mark 3.13-19)
The untidiness of miracles: The miracle in today’s Gospel left a hole, and somebody was going to have to fill it. (Mark 2.1-12)