Faith Daily | 23 June 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p552

Almighty and everlasting God,

you are always more ready to hear that we to pray,

and give more than either we desire or deserve:

pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,

forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid,

and giving us those good things

which we are not worthy to ask,

save through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ,

your Son our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 7: 15-20

15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will know them by their fruits.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Rev'd Jan

I write this reflection in the context of preparing the funeral homily for Mother Eunice (Thursday, Cathedral), of the Society of the Sacred Advent, an Anglican religious order of which she was Mother Superior for three decades. The schools of St Aidan’s and St Margaret’s are SSA schools; their excellence comes from adherence to the Sisters’ philosophy and ethos in all decision making and culture. I am an ‘old girl’ of St Aidan’s and member of St Margaret’s School Council. I chair the Ethos Committee for both schools, to ensure that the Sisters’ living heritage continues to be lived out, as well as the Anglican framework.

Religious Orders have a special place in church life – they are of the church, and yet have their own authority and rule of life that focuses indeed on being known by their fruits. That is, their starting point is prayer, and their mission is to point always to the living presence of Jesus Christ. John the Baptiser is their patron saint, so they emulate that life of pointing always to, and preparing all, to encounter with God through Jesus.

I believe, passionately, that we will find renewal as church when we can do the same – that is, provide a meeting place, an encounter, with our living Lord, so that people meet Jesus the Christ – not the institution of the church.

FINAL PRAYER: from “The Book of Prayers” of the Schools of SSA

Living God, Creator, Redeemer, Strengthener:

enliven, guide and strengthen your Church

in all you send us to do.

By your Holy Spirit enable us to grow –

in faith,

in service,

in generous giving;

and add to your Church new disciples

that your saving, reconciling, recreating

work may go forward,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen