Collect for Trinity 6
Luke 1:57-66 – The Birth of John the Baptist
Mark 6:6-13 The Mission of the Twelve
What then will this child become?
It is inevitable that people should speculate about a child’s future life – when Zecharia was healed of his inability to speak at the naming ceremony for his son John, all who heard asked ‘what will this child become?’ (Luke 1:66) We know something they didn’t – that he would become ‘The Baptiser’.
It will have been the same for the disciples in their childhood ‘Well, Simon Peter, what would you like to be when you grow up? Fisherman, like your Dad? What do you mean – Bishop of Rome??? Don’t be silly.’
But that’s what happened. Jesus appointed the unlikeliest people to be the ones who would spread the Gospel message of forgiveness, healing and freedom. They would never have believed it, or even thought it would be possible – but clearly, in the presence of Jesus, they are changed and equipped for their chosen task.
And so are we. When you were a child, what did you want to be? Nurse? Scientist? Bus driver? Politician? Put your hand up if you said ‘Apostle’. Yup – thought so. You will notice that my hand wasn’t up either, as it wouldn’t be if I had asked ‘Evangelist’, ‘Disciple’, ‘Prophet’, ‘Teacher’ ‘Healer’, ‘Priest’. But nevertheless some of us are in one or more of those roles, and some of us will be even if we don’t know it yet.
Being a Christian – being the Body of Christ – is the task to which we are called. Sometimes that is being with Him in quiet meditation – sometimes it is being committed to work in His Creation, putting our faith into action according to our gifts and our opportunities. You can’t have one without the other. (James 2:14-17) So be blessed to (and be prepared for) whatever you are called this day, in His name, however unexpected!
Previous Posts
Praying Together 30th August 2026
Just like those early disciples and apostles there’s an important work to continue. You and I are part of that bunch of followers – ordinary people – let’s keep that in mind – as we reach out to others, each and every day of our lives.
Praying Together 23rd August 2026
Cambridge dictionary definition: ‘Conform’ – to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society.
Praying Together 16th August 2026
We share the shame of both if we fail to address the divisive hatred within our own purportedly Christian ‘tribe’ before condemning others. For Scripture also says Judge not lest ye yourself be judged (Matthew 7:1). Jesus Himself makes it clear that hypocrisy has no place in a Kingdom founded upon love.
Praying Together 9th August 2026
Trusting Jesus and obeying His call takes commitment, it takes faith, it takes the courage to face antagonism, discomfort and sometimes suffering.
Praying Together 26th July 2026
Just cling to the promise that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Pray Together 19th July 2026
We define hope as ‘to want something to happen or to be true, and have a good reason to think that it might’.
Praying Together 12th July 2026
But the real task to which godparents promise is to ensure that the newly-baptised are supported in their Christian growth, by prayer, advice and example.
Praying Together 5th July 2026
We obey His command, but not as slaves – instead, he invites us to be willing servants, alongside the freedom to always ask and reason together with Him as we choose our actions. Therein lies the path to Wisdom, and in God’s Wisdom lies gentleness, humility and rest for our souls.
Praying Together 21st June 2026
‘You are of more value than many sparrows.’
Yes perhaps we are – but that doesn’t mean that sparrows have no value at all.
Praying Together 31st May 2026
Throughout the world, greeting one another with a kiss is a standard way of greeting – once, twice or more (four times in some regions of of France.) In our less demonstrative culture, we perhaps tend to ‘Share the peace’ by means of a nod, wave, handshake a hug or sometimes even a kiss itself in order to respect what we understand as the boundaries of a person’s ‘personal space’.
Praying Together 17th May 2026
‘Somethin’s comin’, don’t know what it is, but it is gonna be great’
Praying Together 10th May 2026
This week I offer a report of our Archbishop John’s Introductory address to this week’s General Synod. It speaks for itself. I wish certain political leaders would read it too.