Weekly messages
Thinking of the divine (30 August)
Dear Friends,
Today’s gospel follows on from last week, where Jesus asked the disciples (and us): “Who do you say I am?” My sermon teased out the implications of our response to that question. In this week’s gospel, Jesus continues his interaction with Peter, admonishing him with stern words: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” (Matthew 16: 23) This statement is meant to provoke us as well. Are we focused on our own desires or God’s direction and calling? This is a timely question.
In my last week as Vicar of South Darebin I have kept focusing on that question. Discrimination is required of all of us. How do we collectively maintain focus on God’s Kingdom? Which methodologies will we employ? Which spiritual teachers will we lean on?
A new era dawns for this parish. I wish you every blessing on the journey!
Grace and peace to you all,
Linda
Dear Friends, Today’s gospel follows on from last week, where Jesus asked the disciples (and us): “Who do you say I am?” My sermon teased out the implications of our response to that question. In this week’s gospel, Jesus continues his interaction with Peter, admonishing him with stern words: “Get behind me, Satan! You are…
Dear Friends, This week’s gospel presents us with a question that Jesus put to the disciples: ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ (Matthew 16: 13). This question echoes through the ages and it is pertinent to each of us. Who do you say that Jesus is? We have the capacity to…
Dear Friends, This week brings us to a gospel that feels full of hope as it points us towards the joy of upcoming celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas (Luke 2:1–7). It feels like a breath of fresh air as we anticipate our emergence from the weight of winter. Mary’s ‘yes’ to the angel gives…
Recommended reading
Some reflections and reading recommended by the Vicar.
Read Mother Linda’s sermon for Aboriginal Sunday, 19 January 2025. Download here.
Read Mother Linda’s sermon on Christ the King, 24 November 2024. Download the pdf:
Read Mother Linda’s sermon for the First Sunday of Advent, 1 December 2024, on how we need to live in God’s time. Download the pdf here: