Love is something you do.

So whilst the Magi saw a star and the shepherds saw angels what did most people see? Nothing! Just like now! So be an angel, become a star.

So the Church is persecuted? Nothing new there - Herod and St. Paul both did their best to rid the world of the faith. Today the same happens but the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church though it grows smaller in some places and greater in others. Maintain Faith, never retaliate, love the enemies, pray for them.

Both St. Paul and John the Forerunner and Baptist look forward to a time when their own ministries and lives will be over. They laboured to produce a foundation on which the next in line would continue to build. Just like us.

Are you baptised? Are you hoping to be baptised? Then this is for you!

The Colossians became very proud of the new and smart teaching they had and the Lepers became overwhelmed by the health they suddenly enjoyed. Both groups forgot to give thanks except the heretic Samaritan and St.Paul whom the Colossians were trying to ignore!

God gives each of us an immense amount to work with. Our task is to double the amount by trading and taking risks with it, by making use of Grace for the Kingdom of God. The stakes are high.

2 Corinthians 6:16 -7:1 & Matthew 15:21-28 She was possibly an idol worshipper but her persistence, love and humility and faith meant that her prayer was heard. The Apostles wanted her to go away.

Two people entered the Temple. One said "What a lucky God you are to have a follower like me!" The other said "What a lucky man I am to have a God like You!"

The father in this parable suffers a 50% loss but when God lost you both He and you suffered 100% loss.

It's only the first Sunday in Great Lent! Finding the going tough so far? Hmmm. There's a bit more to come!

St. Paul reminds us to concentrate on those things that will last for ever. Mark's Gospel today shows us that we have to work hard to come to the feet of Christ. God bless your Lenten struggle! Hebrews 1:10-2;3, Mark 2:1-12

Half way! Keep on taking up you Cross and following. Third Sunday in Lent. At this stage we can begin to get tired. Mark's Gospel encourages you to keep on taking up your Cross and following Christ. Be encouraged!

How close can you get to the moon this afternoon?

St. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus go to Pilate and ask for the Bloodied Body of the Lord.

See what happens when we are within the Apostolic Tradition! Aeneas raised from his bed, Tabitha from her death bed, the Paralysed man of 38 years raised to his feet. Christ is risen!

St. Paul called together the leaders of the Churches and warned them of the wolves to come. He reminded them that his service was at his own cost. The wolves in the Church are still there and those who make use of the Church for their own benefit are still amongst us - make sure that you are not one of them.

What do you think God is like?

The Roman Centurion was quite right to be hesitant about asking the Lord to visit his house.

When you compare the account of the healing of the two men with demons, with the accounts on either side of this story, you will notice two very different attitudes of those who came before the Lord in their attitude to prayer for others. Where do you fall? Matthew 8:28 - 9:1

St. Paul tells us to make use of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and in the Gospel we see an example of this in action. It is obvious though that there gifts are NOT for you! Matthew 9:1-8, Romans 12: 6-14

The problem was thousands of hungry people. The disciples brought them to the Lord in prayer and had their own solution which was: "Send them away!" However, the Lord had other ideas. Matthew 14: 14-22

In both of these Gospels St. Peter gets out of the boat. Would you? Matthew 14:22-34, John 21:7

How great is your faith? Smaller than a poppy seed? Then bring the problem to The Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ and He and you can move all sorts of mountains together. Matthew 17: 14-23 The healing of the moon-stuck boy.

Christianity is all about love.

Orthodox Churches are full of Crosses. Want to know why?

The Apostle Peter's life changed from killing fish to saving people.

Let that great dark void in you be filled with Light

When is the best time to be saved? NOW!

Please notice how positive this message is (not like so many so called "Evangelists" of the modern era). Repent and then get on and do some good works in Christ Jesus.

Did Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ stop and turn round and attend to the two blind men? Did He open His door to them? No He did not! Did they get disheartened? No they did not! Did they give up? No they did not! Did the Lord tell them to spread the good news? No He did not! Were they obedient? No they were not! What about you? Are you persistent? (You're not?) Do you tell others the good news? (You don't?) Tut. Matthew 9: 27-35

When the Lord calls you—respond quickly and fully—He might not ask you again! Live the faith to the full, attach yourself to Christ and become a fisher of men.

But what about the Gift of God? Why work so hard for death when you can have eternal life? The Centurion knew this when he came to the Saviour asking for his servant to be healed.

Just as the moon shines with the light of the sun so you should shine with the Light of the Son.

In this inaugural episode, Fr. Philip says that Saint Paul talks about faith as an endurance race where the Lord is the starter and finisher of the race.

Life or pigs? Roof or health? Job or Christ? The choice is yours!

When the Lord healed the blind men's bodies and the dumb man's soul, He showed us that both are vital.

The Saviour commmands us to feed the multitude but when we look at our own abilities and resources they are not up to the task. What can we do?

Fr. Philip reflections on the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. "... you will do well if you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day breaks, and the Morning Star dawns forth in your hearts."

All went well until St. Peter took his eyes off the Saviour.

Humility, obedience, listening, hearing and keeping.

So what is the Kingdom of heaven like? Do you belong to it? Well, one of the ways you can tell is this: do you forgive others? Do you give up your rights to things? Yes? Yes? Well, that is what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.

But with God all things are possible—including selling, getting rid of, or putting to one side, all that prevents you following the Saviour.

The Apostle Paul points out that the Cross has brought "New Creation" to all who walk in the new rule of the Cross of Christ. This affects every part of your life so that now you can take garden walks with the Saviour.

St. Luke (2: 20-21, 40-52) treats us to a meditation on the two natures of Jesus Christ: Fully God - Fully Man. So does St. Paul writing to the Colossians (2: 8-12). Why? They both want you to know that your Salvation is found entirely in Him.

St. Matthew says "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” " (Mtt 4:17) This word "Repent" is in the present tense and is a command so the Lord is continuing to tell us all to repent (for the kingdom of heaven is still near).

Zacchaeus realised that his repentance needed to be grounded in his bank account!

Take a forensic look at yourself as we come towards Great Lent. Luke 18: 9-14

You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

The Lord invites you to follow Him and the Church invites you to come and see, and if you are going to accept these invitations then you have to get moving.