Minister's Letter for March 2018

At this time of year, and as we continue to traverse the desert towards the hope of Resurrection, we can put too many words in the way of our reflection and prayers. Let the following encourage your personal reflections.......

On Palm Sunday, we will be aligning our own journey with the imagery of the olive tree, often found in Bible stories, but with particular poignancy as we approach Holy Week.

Watch this space on what we will be doing but, in your times of reflection and prayer, look to the olive tree:

..The dove that returned to Noah's ark brought forth an olive leaf, signalling that the earth had come back to life again.

..Paul says to us, in the tradition of the olive tree representing Israel: "if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree" (Rom 11:24)

...and Gentiles, being "a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree" (Rom 11:17).

..Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. (Luke 22:39)

..In the Olive Tree, the Hope to come.............

Peace

Rev Sue