What is the word of God?

This is a very good question to ponder on this Bible Sunday and a very good question to ask one’s self. 

In the reading from Isaiah we are told that the Word of God is, as God says:

“… everything that goes out from my mouth”   Isaiah 55:11a

Which is further explained by Isaiah as everything we might need to live a happy and healthy life, from what we eat and what we might or might not spend our money on. Which, says to me, that the Word of God is more than...

In 1932 the German writer Hermann Hesse published a short novel entitled The Journey to the East. It’s about a group of men, members of a religious sect called The League, who set out on a difficult and demanding pilgrimage in search of Ultimate Truth. the travellers make progress because of the presence of a man named Leo. Leo does all the menial chores and, just as importantly, he does his best to keep everyone cheerful. He raises their spirits by his singing and by his very presence.

Then the travellers find themselves in a deep gorge and Leo...

Mark 10, 17-31 

One way or another this morning’s readings are all about righteousness. In the first reading, Amos, the prophet of Northern Israel, sees with deep concern the way of  life of his countrymen. They have turned away from godly living. In those days of walled cities justice was supposed to be dispensed “in the gate”, but this has ceased to happen. Men hate the one who reproves in the gate and abhor the one who speaks truth. They take bribes and push aside the needy. The Israelites as ever did not listen to Amos. It was not long...

Hebrews 1:1-4 & 2:5-12

Whenever I hear the opening words of this passage:

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways ... "

I always think of the Advent hymn; 'Long ago prophets knew Christ would come born a Jew ..." a hymn that takes this bit of Scripture as its inspiration and celebrates the 'Word made flesh' in creation. The unknown author of the Epistle to the Hebrews is at pains to show that Christ is the pinnacle of God's marvellous creation as well as being fully divine as well. Christ is the one bit...