We’ve come to the final question of the series we have heard the last few weeks – the last put by the Lord’s many critics to undermine His authority, to challenge His knowledge of the Law of Moses. In the verses immediately preceding, Jesus has finally silenced the Sadducees in a resounding affirmation of the resurrection. Now it is the turn of the scribes and Pharisees. They, too, will be silenced. Christ shows His mastery of sacred Scripture in arriving at these two princip

Today’s gospel, in which Jesus’ enemies, who therefore are our enemies as well, try to entrap him by asking whether they should pay tax to Caesar or not, is often read as making a distinction between politics and religion. There is Caesar’s world and that of God. The Church should keep out of politics and stick to spirituality, but happily for us, the two are inseparable, and even Andy Burnham wants a go at choosing Bishops, so I suggest that the bishops choose the next PM, a

One of the lovely things I have come to appreciate about life at St Stephen’s Church is the warmth of people’s hospitality. Important moments of parish life do not only happen here at the altar or within the liturgy itself, but afterwards in the narthex or at social events in the parish hall, people gathered around tables, shared celebrations, harvest suppers, shared meals, cheese and wine evenings, where conversations flow, laughter is shared, and good times are had long aft

On a Saturday in early September 2024, I embarked on a train journey to Blackburn, the cathedral to be precise, on a reduced ticket thanks to my senior railcard. This would be a journey I was to make weekly, on a Tuesday evening, during term time for the next 2 years. This particular Saturday was my enrolment Eucharist during which I formally enrolled for Licensed Lay Ministry (LLM) formation with Emmanuel Theological College (ETC). This was hugely thrilling, but what also ex

It’s not very likely, is it? Paying the same amount to one who has worked for one hour as to those who work ten, it seems unfair. Is it also unfair that people doing different jobs get paid startlingly different wages to others? Why do we value the head of a Water Company such a lot more than a teacher or a Doctor? But no normal employer would pay the same wages to those who worked twelve hours and to those who worked one in the same job. If trades unions functioned in his so

It is by happy chance that this Sunda we have a serving Police Detective (who is also a priest) preaching at the 10.30am Mass, because today’s Gospel can sound very much as though it is concerned with policing the Church! It is really though about forgiveness in cased of breaking rules of behaviour? Fundamentally we ask can wrong-doers remain members of the Church? Matthew wrote his Gospel, inspired by God, for the local Churches in Syria, Palestine and neighbouring regions.

Get behind thee me Satan! The start of the gospel today effectively heralds a turning point. – the Galilean ministries are now completed and Jesus is setting His face towards Jerusalem, and His eventual suffering, death and resurrection. Peter has just confessed Jesus as the Son of the Living God. Now he’s admonishing Jesus and ends up being referred to as Satan! Woah!! Some turn around! But to Peter, the thought of the Messiah, the conqueror, succumbing to torture, humiliati

There are rules that we need, and ones that we do not need, and ones that we do not always need, so can be ignored or waived from time to time. If you give me a grouse, I will cook it for 14 minutes in a hot oven and eat it with game chips, bread sauce and port gravy. If I were to use it for sushi or a lasagna, you would be at liberty to phone the emergency services. There are rules of engagement as well – we don’t go up to people we do not know and invite them to go on holid

It is our great happiness this week to invite the Bishop of Blackburn to come and Confirm our candidates in the faith of the Church. Confirmation is a sacrament conferred less frequently than Baptism. Indeed it may be seen that Baptism is the most ‘popular’ sacrament in terms of numbers, followed by Holy Communion, and then numbers tend to dip rather towards Confirmation and even further to Marriage and to an all time low for Ordination, picking up again for the Last Rites –

Much of our life, in one way or another, revolves around food. Some of our happiest memories gather around tables, Sunday dinners, birthday cakes, fish and chips by the sea, the smell of fresh bread, the comfort of a meal lovingly prepared. Even our entertainment reflects this fascination, like many people, I rather enjoy programmes such as The Great British Bake Off. There is something joyful and reassuring about watching flour, butter, sugar, and skill become something beau