Thoughts for the Day

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory....

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I left school at fifteen with no exams behind me. My father was unwell and none of us were sure if he would be able to work again? As it happened he went back to work with a body plaster-cast on and life continued as normal. But in the meantime I left school and found a job to help the family income. And so it was that I didn't take my O level and A level exams until my mid-twenties, long after I had got married. Perhaps doing this as an adult and going to university much later than others has been why I have always wanted to work with adults who've had little education. I still help those on the University Theology for Life course in the Diocese here. One of my mantras when working with those writing assignments is "check what the question says". We can all get carried away with writing amazing essays only to discover that we have totally strayed from the original subject.

Our reading from Paul's letter to Colossae reminds me of this mantra. We should look back at our roots and ask 'What is it that Christ demands of us?' Paul says Jesus calls us to the 'things that are above', in other words to six things in particular: to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek and patient, and overall to measure everything by love!. These are huge demands for each of us, but perhaps we can work this week on one attribute, maybe the one that we find most difficult?

Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to follow You,
and to a life that reflects Your love for us.
When we forget this,
remind us that living a life of love
means we should be compassionate and kind to all people,
learn to be meek and humble,
walk the way of those who are patient,
and learn to 'clothe' all that we do with love.
Amen.