The second Sunday after Trinity

Matthew Chapter 10

Father’s Day

Jesus said to his disciples, “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household!
So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.
What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father knowing.
And even the hairs of your head are all counted.
So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

A prayer

Faithful Creator, whose mercy never fails: 

Deepen our faithfulness to you and to your living Word 

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Some thoughts

These parts of the gospel reflect the turbulent times in which the early church found itself.

Expelled from the synagogues, rejected by Orthodox Jews, persecuted by the Roman empire. 

They faced beatings, prison, torture and death! And yet they persevered, they kept the faith, they stood fast.

How do they do this? It is because they know that they are loved. They know that Jesus showed God’s love for them when he died for them. As in our passage above they know that they are loved as individuals, they are wanted and cared for and cared about, that God the great creator of all things actually cares for them as individual people. Sparrows don’t fall without God noticing. God knows us so well as to know the hairs on our head.

As we remember Fathers on this day, remember also your Heavenly Father who loves you and has always loved you.

There is a freephone line with a daily service introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury

0800 804 8044 As I said it’s free! Do use it.