Weekly worship: Sunday 4 February

• Psalm 147:1-11   
• Isaiah 40:21-31  
• 1 Corinthians 9:16-22  
• Mark 1:29-39

Today’s readings tell us of a God who cares for all people, always.

The Isaiah reading draws us into our call to service, a call to empowerment of all people, and a specific call to support and empower people who are vulnerable.

I believe St Paul, as he writes in 1 Corinthians, calls upon us to understand, to come alongside those who need us, to proclaim the gospel in ways that make sense. This means giving practical care and sharing the blessing of the gospel in ways that makes sense in every context. 

In our gospel we have an impatient Jesus, not prepared to wait for sunset on the Sabbath, but who heals on the Sabbath because the person was more important than the rule.

In 2018 we live, not just in a complex world, as the world has always been complex, but in a world where there is often an emphasis on difference – between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’.

This Sunday, let’s focus on what we share, not what sets us apart. We have in common our humanity, a common purpose, and we share God’s love as equals.

Tuesday 6 February is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. If that were the only injustice in this world, then that would be too much, but there are many.

There is much to be done to bring about God’s kingdom of justice and peace. But today let’s take comfort and strength, confident that God is with us, always.  

Pray for courage and sustaining energy for all those working to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation and for this harmful practice to end.