Welcome to Trinity Church, Newport
Trinity Church is a friendly welcoming community which seeks to enable people to explore the Christian life of faith, worship and service.
We regret that church services and activities have been suspended for the time being.
August 9th 2020
Reflection by Rev Fiona Brown
Jesus has fed the 5000 (plus the women and children) and at last has the opportunity to go off on his own to pray. The disciples have been sent across the lake in the boat to meet with him later.
Read: St Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 14, verses 22 - 33
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Reflection:
The boat is caught up in a storm and a rough sea. The disciples must be busy keeping it afloat and going in the right direction. Suddenly they see Jesus striding across the water towards them. This terrifies them. It’s not natural. But Peter forgets his fear and rushes towards him, walking over the water. The trouble is that he just as suddenly remembers where he is and falters. Jesus saves him and the disciples recognize that Jesus really is the Son of God.
Peter stopped concentrating on Jesus and that’s why he floundered. When we are in the midst of turmoil we need to concentrate on Jesus, trusting him in the midst of the storm and not be distracted by the awfulness and stresses of the situation. We will come through.
A lecturer at college used to say of white water rafting that the only way is through. The only way through the Coronavirus storm is through. One day we will come through the other side. We must not lose hope or trust in God. This may feel like our Good Friday moment, but Good Friday is followed by the Resurrection and we are Easter people.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, We bring to you our difficult times when we feel bruised and battered. We bring before you all who are struggling with Lockdown and coming out of it. We remember those whose income has vanished, but not their payments and so do not know where to turn.
We also pray for our ministers Hendry and Molly and their families in their difficult times. Amen.
Read: Singing the Faith 629 God of my faith, I offer you my doubt
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