Collect for Trinity 2
Romans 5: 1-8
Matthew 9: 35-10:4
Peter. Fisherman. Impetuous, always speaking his mind and acting on impulse. Rock on whom the church was founded.
James son of Zebedee. Another fisherman
John. Brother of James. Both known as the ‘Sons of Thunder’
Andrew. Peter’s brother. The first to be called by Jesus.
Philip. Probably Greek-speaking. Brings Nathaniel to Jesus.
Bartholomew??
Matthew. Tax collector – member of One of the most reviled professions in first-century Judaism. Matthew collected taxes for Rome from his fellow Jews in Capernaum.
Thomas – ‘Doubting’ Thomas? Or ‘Practical’ Thomas?
James son of Alphaeus??
Thaddeus also known as Jude the apostle.
Simon the Zealot. may have belonged to a Jewish sect known as the Zealots, who were bent on revolution and looking for a Messiah to violently overthrow Rome. Or he may have simply been zealous for the Mosaic Law. Or zealous for Jesus and his teachings.
Judas Iscariot. The betrayer. Many different opinions on his motives. In art, usually depicted wearing yellow clothing and with red hair
What a bunch. Fishermen. A tax collector. A terrorist. A sceptic. Couple of hotheads. Not sure they’re the ones I’d pick, if I were Jesus. Not even sure they’re entirely trustworthy. Surely it would be more effective to go for celebrities – people who are well known and who could act as ‘influencers’?
Well, actually, no. The Gospel isn’t a fashion accessory. It’s real, and it needs real people to proclaim it. Jesus doesn’t choose people for their looks – He is interested in picking the right ones to do the job and to initiate the word being spread abroad. He chose ‘ordinary’ (actually, no-one is ‘ordinary’ as far as Jesus is concerned) people who would be believed by their friends and neighbours – in turn they would spread the word to their own contacts, and so on in turn. To use a current term – going ‘viral’.
Someone once asked who would be the best person to talk about Jesus to a lorry driver. To which the answer is ‘another lorry driver’.
Who would be the best person to talk to your friends and family about Jesus?
You.
Previous Posts
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.
Praying Together 26th April 2026
Fortunately, God’s love is not restricted to those who do good. He sent His only Son to save sinners – whoever they may be, whatever they may have done wrong.
Praying Together April 19th 2026
Judgement is not restricted to either believers or non-believers – but All people
Praying Together 12th April 2026
Let’s talk about Peter, the ‘Rock’ on which Christ’s Church is built.
Seriously, would you have chosen him? Surely, one of the other Disciples would be the most highly qualified.
Praying Together Easter Sunday 2026
A Reflection provided by the Revd. Barbara Irrgang-Buckley for the First Sunday of Easter
Praying Together – A Thought for Good Friday 2026
Through our tears as we stand at the foot of the Cross and witness His Crucifixion on this Good Friday, we have the privilege of looking beyond the day unto a day of joy as we are assured of His life – then, today and tomorrow. We leave our past behind as we walk away from Golgotha, the place of the skull.