Not all heroes wear capes
On Sunday we are celebrating Michaelmas, the Feast of Michael and All Angels. It is a major day in the church; quite often it is when the church ordains people (the other being the Feast Day of Peter and Paul at the end of June), but angels have a chequered history with us as Christians. When we think of common ideas of angels, we tend to think of winged cherubs, possibly strumming a harp - something that is cute, non-threatening, twee, or guardian angels on your shoulder, guiding you and keeping you on the straight and narrow.
The descriptions of angels in the Bible more often than not are just outright terrifying, I am sure that Jacob didn’t feel it was twee when he was wrestling with one in the Book of Genesis, and Daniel 10: 5-6 is enough to give anyone nightmares. They are the messengers of God, they have power, not caricatures.
But my favourite mention of angels in the Bible comes from the letter to the Hebrews. We don’t know who wrote it, but the words are wonderful: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it”. (Hebrews 13:2)
Not all heroes wear capes (or have wings).
Rev’d Mark
Readings for Sunday
Psalm 37: 1-9
Of David.
Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Luke 17: 5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.
‘Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from ploughing or tending sheep in the field, “Come here at once and take your place at the table”? Would you not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink”? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, “We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!” ’
Readings for the week
Monday 3rd – Galatians 1: 6-12, Luke 10: 25-27
Tuesday 4th – (Francis of Assisi) – Galatians 1: 13 – end, Luke 10: 38 - end
Wednesday 5th – Galatians: 2: 1-2, 7-14, Luke 11:1-4
Thursday 6th – (William Tyndale) – Galatians 3:1-5, Luke 11: 5-13
Friday 7th – Galatians 3: 7-14, Luke 11: 15-26
Saturday 8th – Galatians 3: 22-end, Luke 11: 27 - 28
