Thought For The Week 10 March 2024

Welcome to our services of worship today. Whether you are a regular member here, a newcomer to Timaru checking out churches looking for a spiritual home, or just passing through, we are glad you are among us and we pray you will find a place of shelter and encouragement as we worship together.

This Lenten season we are departing from our usual reliance on the Common Lectionary for our readings, instead following Tear Funds’ Seeds of Hope plan. This has meant the readings are not following particularly closely to the narrative we usually see in Lent. For example, today’s reading from John 19:23-30 takes us to Jesus on the cross. In this scene is gathered Mary, Jesus mother, her sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene and the ‘disciple whom he loved’. The focus of the scene is Jesus saying to his mother “Woman, here is your son and to the disciple here is your mother” (26-27). It’s as if Jesus is saying to his mother that her mothering task doesn’t end with his death; there is a young disciple that needs you still. And to the   disciple, take care of my mother, don’t neglect her.

This scene has added poignancy because today is International Women’s’ Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of women and the struggle to overcome oppressive systems that seek to marginalize them. John’s gospel is full of female heroes who   often demonstrate what true discipleship looks like. The Church, which is shaped by this gospel, has been slow to elevate women, preferring instead to keep them in positions of servitude rather than make room for their gifts and spirituality. But through the cross we are all made one, we are all equal. I’m very pleased to be a part of a church that honours people according to their gifts and callings rather than their gender.

Nga manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa (Blessings to all)

Brent