Vicar's letter

The vicar's letter found here is a duplicate of the letter found in our parish magazine, which is now published every 2 months instead of monthly.

Vicar’s Letter (Aug & Sept 2024)

Dear reader

Well it’s been quite a summer of sport so far. In the end England made it to the final of the Euros but were beaten by the superior Spain. Wimbledon and The Open have just finished. Now the Paris Olympics are upon us, a great celebration of all types of sport.

The New Testament often uses sporting imagery, certainly running. In Hebrews 12:1-2, the author writes, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith”.

This passage is written to Christians who faced much mockery and opposition for their faith. As a result, they were now tempted to give up being a Christian. The writer acts as a coach those who are running the Christian race. He encourages his readers not to drop out of the race. He gives two clear instructions. The first is to run unhindered and with perseverance.

The Christian life is a race. Not that it is like a competition where there is only one winner. No, it’s like a race in that it demands effort, thought, and determination. The Christian life is like a marathon, not a sprint. It is a test of stamina, not of speed. It calls us more to be like Mo Farah, the former long-distance runner, rather than Usain Bolt. Christian need to “run with perseverance” because the Christian life is not easy. Christians have to contend with all the struggles of this world – illness, bereavement, redundancy, family issues. We also have to battle with opposition, mockery from people around them because they believe in Jesus.

To help us run the race, we need to run unhindered, throwing off sin. That is what athletes do – they “throw off everything that hinders”. The original reads, “let us lay aside every weight”. It could refer to the weight of their clothing. In the ancient Olympics Greek runners ran almost naked as they threw off their typical clothing, a toga, a long dress which could cause them to trip up. Well Christians have to throw off everything that hinders them from running wholeheartedly for Jesus.

Sometimes those are good things that will have to throw off. Perhaps we have to be careful that sport or tv or Facebook or relationships don’t get in the way of us spending time with Jesus. But there are some things you have to throw off that are not neutral, but plain wrong. This is “the sin that so easily entangles”. For some it is lust, for others a bad temper, for others gossip, for others love of money.

But the writer says, “throw it off”. Deal with it. Don’t ignore it. Otherwise it will mar your running.

The second instruction is to run fixing your eyes on Jesus. In races you need to keep your eyes firmly fixed on the finishing line. Well in the Christian race we’re told to fix our eyes on Jesus, the one who will take us to the finishing line and beyond. The writer appeals to us in v2: “let us fix our eyes on Jesus”. The word used here refers to the act of someone who, aware of rival attractions, deliberately looks away from other things to focus on one thing. So ultimately we are to focus on Jesus. He is the one who has opened up for us the way of faith, through his death on the cross.

Jesus is also the perfect example of someone who showed enduring faith. Jesus underwent the sufferings of this world. In v2 we read that he “endured the cross, scorning its shame”. Jesus did not give up trusting in his heavenly father. Verse 2 explains why, “for the joy set before him”. It was for the joy of bringing forgiveness, taking believers to God’s new world. That is why Christians should be willing to endure too, because we know that one day we will be with God, in his perfect new world.

So if you’re a Christian, as you watch the athletics in the Olympics remember the race that you’re running too. If you’re just curious about Jesus do feel free to be in contact to find out more about how you can make it on to the running track – which is all through Jesus. Have a great summer and happy sports watching!

With best wishes

James

Vicar’s Letter (June & July 2024)

Dear reader

All around us, the world seems to be in chaos. There is the chaos amongst the nations of this world. War continues to rage in Ukraine and Gaza. Last week we’ve seen the attempted assassination of the Slovakian Prime Minister and protests outside the parliament in Georgia, against the new and controversial “foreign agent” law. Meanwhile, the looming threat of China and its military power casts a shadow over future years,

Perhaps our world can seem chaotic at times too. For some it’s the turmoil of our jobs – constant pressures or frustrating bosses. For others it’s the turmoil in our families – tensions at home, concern for the children or the grandchildren. For others it’s the turmoil of our health – recovering from an operation, the depression, the anxiety, the frustrations of old-age. For others it’s the turmoil of our finances – paying the bills, pension worries.

But God is not taken by surprise by any of this. I’ve been encouraged by reading Psalm 46, where the Psalmist speaks of the world around him, “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall” (v6). In the midst of such a turbulent world we should remind one another of the opening words of the Psalm: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foams and the mountains quake with their surging”.

Before the chaotic character of the world is spoken of we’re reminded about the comforting character of our God. Whatever trouble we may face, Psalm 46 begins by telling us, where to turn. Not to a change in circumstances. Not to our best efforts to fix the problem. But rather to God, “our refuge and strength”. God is our “refuge”. God is protecting his people. He’s a place to flee for safety when an enemy is approaching. God is our “strength”. God is providing for his people. He is giving them the inner power to keep going

God is not only the protector and provider of his people. He is also present with his people and for his people. That’s the second part of verse 1, “an ever-present help in trouble”. God doesn’t just see our troubles as a fascinated observer might. He helps us in our troubles, as a compassionate parent would.

Indeed, God is not just present but “ever present”. God’s presence can suddenly feel more real, more tangible, when trials come. When the earth beneath us begins to give way, he draws even nearer.

And twice in the Psalm we have those great words of comfort, “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (v7 and v11).

Matt Searles, in his brilliant devotional book on some of the Psalms, titled, “Tumbling Sky: Psalm devotions for weary souls”, writes, “The Psalmist doesn’t say, “Life’s not so bad”. Rather he says, “God is stronger” and so we will not fear. Psalm 46 is a psalm to renew shaky foundations and to strengthen weak limbs. We’re not to close our eyes to the uncertainty and chaos we see in the world around us. Rather we are to open our eyes to the even more solid reality of a God who is not taken by surprise by any of this and who is a sure and certain refuge for his people, a help in times of trouble. Dwell on the strong walls of God Almighty surrounding us. Rest in the security he brings. So the psalmist can say, “I will not fear”. This is not the fragile confidence of a man closing his eyes to the reality of the world we have. This is the bedrock certainty we can have by opening our eyes to the protection the Lord gives his people. We all need a firm place to stand. We all need somewhere from which we can face the uncertain realities of life. If that is not Jesus Christ, what other rock, what other refuge do you have?”

So I hope that however we may feel about the turbulence in our world or the troubles of our lives we can be encouraged to come to Jesus. You’re always welcome to contact me or come along to St Catherine’s and see how Jesus makes a real difference to the lives of his followers.

With best wishes

James

Vicar’s Letter (April & May 2024)

Dear reader

Have you ever met someone famous and not recognised who they were until much later on? Well I greatly enjoy the story told by former Royal protection officer Richard Griffin at the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. He reminisced about a picnic he went on with Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral. They had an amusing encounter with two American tourists who didn't realise they were meeting the Queen.

“There were two hikers coming towards us and the Queen would always stop and say hello”, Griffin said, “and it was clear from the moment we first stopped that they hadn't recognized the Queen”. One of the Americans then asked the Queen where she lived. “She said, “Well I live in London, but I've got a holiday home just on the other side of the hills”, Griffin recalled. “And he said, 'How often have you been coming up here?”. When the Queen told the American she had been coming up to Balmoral Castle for over 80 years, the hiker asked if she had ever met Queen Elizabeth. “Well I haven't, but Dick here meets her regularly,” the Queen replied, referring to Griffin.

The hiker then asked Griffin: “Oh, you've met the Queen? What's she like?”. “Because I was with her a long time and I knew I could pull her leg, I said, “Oh, she can be very cantankerous at times, but she's got a lovely sense of humour”. Griffin told Sky News. The American then put his shoulder around Griffin, got his camera out, and gave it to the Queen, asking if she could snap a picture of him with the royal protection officer. “Anyway, we swapped places and I took a picture of them with the Queen and we never let on, Griffin said. “And Her Majesty said to me, “I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he shows those photographs to their friends in America — and hopefully someone tells him who I am”.

Well on Easter Day I’ll be speaking about another time when two people met a monarch – and didn’t recognise him. It is from Luke 24, when two disciples met the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They were returning home from Jerusalem, deeply saddened by the death of Jesus. Jesus comes alongside them but, “they were kept from recognising him” (verse 16). These two disciples explain that all their hopes were dashed by Jesus’ death, “we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (v21). They were also confused by rumours of Jesus’ resurrection.

What’s significant is that instead of immediately revealing himself to these disciples, Jesus speaks to them and brings clarity into their confusion: “He said to them, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (v26-27). At this point it’s more important that the disciples see Jesus in the Scriptures than to see him in person. They need to realise how the Old Testament speaks of the necessity of the Messiah’s suffering and then prophecies his resurrection.

Only after Jesus takes the disciples on an incredible Bible study were their eyes opened “and they recognised him and he disappeared from their sight” (v31). This unexpected meeting becomes a life-changing meeting. Death has been defeated. Jesus is in front of them. The promise of new resurrection life is theirs. But just as quickly as they recognise Jesus, he vanishes from them. Jesus has left them but his Word remains with them. The disciples then asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us” (v32).

If the risen Christ, on that first Easter day, made himself known through the Bible, then he will continue to so today. I hope your hearts burn with excitement as you read the Bible. Through the Scriptures we hear the voice of the risen Lord speaking to us, drawing us into fellowship with him. It should set your heart on fire for Jesus when you realise from the Bible that Jesus had to die for your salvation. It should set your heart on fire for Jesus when you realise from the Bible that Jesus has risen. So this Easter can I encourage you to have a life-changing meeting with Jesus through reading the Bible. Do contact me if you want to find out more or come along to St Catherine’s!

Happy Easter!

James

St Catherine's Tranmere

Vicar's letter