Every Sunday a member of the Metanoia Project team will be sharing the Gospel passage and a short reflection to help us all apply it to our lives today. We hope you will find it useful! Why not leave your own reflections on this passage in the comments?
Gospel for Sunday 25th July
John 6:1-15
Jesus went off to the other side of the Sea of Galilee – or of Tiberias – and a large crowd followed him, impressed by the signs he gave by curing the sick. Jesus climbed the hillside, and sat down there with his disciples. It was shortly before the Jewish feast of Passover.
Looking up, Jesus saw the crowds approaching and said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?’ He only said this to test Philip; he himself knew exactly what he was going to do. Philip answered, ‘Two hundred denarii would only buy enough to give them a small piece each.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said, ‘There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish; but what is that between so many?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Make the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass there, and as many as five thousand men sat down. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them out to all who were sitting ready; he then did the same with the fish, giving out as much as was wanted. When they had eaten enough he said to the disciples, ‘Pick up the pieces left over, so that nothing gets wasted.’ So they picked them up, and filled twelve hampers with scraps left over from the meal of five barley loaves. The people, seeing this sign that he had given, said, ‘This really is the prophet who is to come into the world.’ Jesus, who could see they were about to come and take him by force and make him king, escaped back to the hills by himself.
Reflection
Today's reading is so well known, we will have heard it so many times. For me I sometimes feel that the immensity of this miracle is lost because 'the feeding of the five thousand' sounds so common to us. But it isn't! Jesus performed a miracle. For many people to see and understand 'this really is the prophet who is to come into the world.'
Jesus works in commonplace ways in our lives (and in amazing moments too!) but do we sometimes overlook where God is working because he works in ordinary places?
Looking at my life, even the last few days, I can think of things that have happened that I know God has had a hand in, but have I always stopped to acknowledge this and say thank you?
Also in this reading I love that Jesus gets everybody to sit down, in another translation it says Jesus calls for everybody to 'recline'. Jesus is going to do the work, those being ministered to need to do nothing but wait.
Do we take time to recline, to sit back and rest to let God work in us? God knows what He is doing, He wants to work with us, but we need to let Him do that, don't interfere. Be open, listen, follow. Don't force things to happen, allow God's work to happen in God's time. Relax!
After everybody had eaten enough the leftovers were collected and they were left with more than they started with!
As disciples we are asked to give our whole selves to God. But in return we will receive so much more! Just like in this Gospel story, God has more than us, more than we can imagine, if we give freely, we will be in a position to receive all God has for us!
What does this mean for me and my life today?
Firstly, I need to make more of an effort to
remember God in the commonplace. To see His work, and to thank Him for all He is constantly doing for me. So many blessings!
Secondly, I need to relax more, let go and allow God to work. His plan is the one for me. I don't need to force my own agenda. If things aren't going the way I expected, wait and trust and see where God is taking me.
And thirdly, give freely of myself, my time, my energy, my possessions. Because the reality is everything I have comes from God and needs to be used for Him. When God has something to give to me, I don't want my life to be too full of "my things" to be able to accept from Him.
~Nora
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🎶 Worship Wednesday 🎶
This song is a comfort to me so I’m so excited to share it with you all . When I first heard it , it was like I was being held in the hugest hug .
There are so many voices we let into our minds - voice of negativity, voice of doubt , so many lies we believe and the pressures of society . They drag us down and drain us . We so quickly forget that we are each a beloved child of God . We are known , seen and loved .
God loves us , he never gives up .
God lavishes us with love , he is constantly trying to remind us how much he loves us , if only we could remember this - how much more beautiful our lives would be .
I feel it’s time you need to be reminded just how much God loves you . It’s time to hear what your Father has spoken !
I feel it’s time for you to sit and let His love pour over you like a soothing balm .
He’ll tell you that you are His and he smiled when he made you and that you are beautiful in every way . He wants you to listen .
Like it says in this song , God’s love is fierce and unending , he will never stop running after you , so why not stop running away from him and let him love you .
We must live in His truth .
I know It’s time for me to own my belovedness, will you be doing the same ? Jen
youtu.be/QlcoEC-hNfg
This song is a comfort to me so I’m so excited to share it with you all . When I first heard it , it was like I was being held in the hugest hug .
There are so many voices we let into our minds - voice of negativity, voice of doubt , so many lies we believe and the pressures of society . They drag us down and drain us . We so quickly forget that we are each a beloved child of God . We are known , seen and loved .
God loves us , he never gives up .
God lavishes us with love , he is constantly trying to remind us how much he loves us , if only we could remember this - how much more beautiful our lives would be .
I feel it’s time you need to be reminded just how much God loves you . It’s time to hear what your Father has spoken !
I feel it’s time for you to sit and let His love pour over you like a soothing balm .
He’ll tell you that you are His and he smiled when he made you and that you are beautiful in every way . He wants you to listen .
Like it says in this song , God’s love is fierce and unending , he will never stop running after you , so why not stop running away from him and let him love you .
We must live in His truth .
I know It’s time for me to own my belovedness, will you be doing the same ? Jen
youtu.be/QlcoEC-hNfg
![Every Sunday a member of the Metanoia Project team will be sharing the Gospel passage and a short reflection to help us all apply it to our lives today. We hope you will find it useful! Why not leave your own reflections on this passage in the comments?
Gospel for Sunday 18th July 2021, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B: Mark 6:30-34
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
Reflection.
To put this passage in context in St Marks Gospel, the Apostles have been sent out to proclaim the coming of Gods Kingdom. Indeed this idea of helping to build the Kingdom is key throughout Marks Gospel with Jesus first public words being to repent and believe the good news of Gods Kingdom. Todays Gospel emphasises Jesus’ identity as the true, divine shepherd, who will guide his sheep into the kingdom.
As a teacher at this time of the year I am immediately drawn to the line Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. This seems to fit perfectly to me coming to the end of another academic year with my mind and body weary and in need of rest and recuperation. The chance to remove myself from the hustle and bustle of the working day and week and just be with God to rest into His loving and healing presence seems ideal. I feel as though Jesus is inviting me to come and rest with Him and to let Him take control. To take the time to pray and reflect more deeply on my life is certainly necessary especially given the nature of the past year or so with its many new challenges and difficulties.
Like us, the apostles needed to rest, time to recuperate, regenerate and gain spiritual nourishment, but there was no rest for Jesus. The people followed him in their thousands to the place where they had chosen to rest. So, moved with compassion, Jesus responded to their needs spiritually and physically.
In a sermon in 2017, Pope Francis used five verbs to refer to the “closeness” of Jesus to his people: see, call, talk, touch and heal. “Christ calls us to touch the flesh of the other by hand, particularly the suffering and the needy.” This is “the path of the good shepherd”.
This is the kind of shepherd Jesus calls us to be if we are to feed those who are hungry, give drink to those who are thirsty, shelter those who are homeless, visit those who are sick and prisoners, bury the dead and give alms to those who are poor.
Through the gospel, we are asked to prepare ourselves better to reach out to others in need, through strengthening our relationship with God.
So a crowd gathers, as we hear so often in the Gospels. Seeing the great crowd, Jesus “had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd”. Instantly I am reminded of what Shepherds do and are like. They are faithful, kind, protective, loyal, generous and selfless. How often in my life do I feel like a sheep away from its Shepherd? How often do I fall into the trap of trying to follow the wrong crowd? Or do I let the Good Shepherd show me the way to follow?
Jesus, moved in compassion for these lost sheep, “began to teach them many things. The food for which the people hunger is the very Word of God, and in so feeding them Jesus shows himself to be a shepherd “after [God’s] own heart,” feeding God’s people “with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). What is more, he shows himself to be the divine shepherd, the very Son of God in whom the kingdom has come.
So today as I prepare to welcome the chance to rest in the summer holidays, I pray that my rest will be with Jesus. That I will be nourished by His Word and the Sacraments. That my faith will be enriched in the joy of the Gospel and the beauty of Gods Kingdom. And that, especially as society begins to open up more, I might be guided by the Good Shepherd to build His Kingdom here on earth. Amen
- Jonathan](http://metanoiaproject.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/custom-facebook-feed-pro/assets/img/placeholder.png)
Every Sunday a member of the Metanoia Project team will be sharing the Gospel passage and a short reflection to help us all apply it to our lives today. We hope you will find it useful! Why not leave your own reflections on this passage in the comments?
Gospel for Sunday 18th July 2021, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B: Mark 6:30-34
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
Reflection.
To put this passage in context in St Mark's Gospel, the Apostles have been sent out to proclaim the coming of God's Kingdom. Indeed this idea of helping to build the Kingdom is key throughout Mark's Gospel with Jesus' first public words being to repent and believe the good news of God's Kingdom. Today's Gospel emphasises Jesus’ identity as the true, divine shepherd, who will guide his sheep into the kingdom.
As a teacher at this time of the year I am immediately drawn to the line "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. " This seems to fit perfectly to me coming to the end of another academic year with my mind and body weary and in need of rest and recuperation. The chance to remove myself from the hustle and bustle of the working day and week and just be with God to rest into His loving and healing presence seems ideal. I feel as though Jesus is inviting me to come and rest with Him and to let Him take control. To take the time to pray and reflect more deeply on my life is certainly necessary especially given the nature of the past year or so with its many new challenges and difficulties.
Like us, the apostles needed to rest, time to recuperate, regenerate and gain spiritual nourishment, but there was no rest for Jesus. The people followed him in their thousands to the place where they had chosen to rest. So, moved with compassion, Jesus responded to their needs spiritually and physically.
In a sermon in 2017, Pope Francis used five verbs to refer to the “closeness” of Jesus to his people: see, call, talk, touch and heal. “Christ calls us to touch the flesh of the other by hand, particularly the suffering and the needy.” This is “the path of the good shepherd”.
This is the kind of shepherd Jesus calls us to be if we are to feed those who are hungry, give drink to those who are thirsty, shelter those who are homeless, visit those who are sick and prisoners, bury the dead and give alms to those who are poor.
Through the gospel, we are asked to prepare ourselves better to reach out to others in need, through strengthening our relationship with God.
So a crowd gathers, as we hear so often in the Gospels. Seeing the great crowd, Jesus “had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd”. Instantly I am reminded of what Shepherds do and are like. They are faithful, kind, protective, loyal, generous and selfless. How often in my life do I feel like a sheep away from its Shepherd? How often do I fall into the trap of trying to follow the wrong crowd? Or do I let the Good Shepherd show me the way to follow?
Jesus, moved in compassion for these lost sheep, “began to teach them many things." The food for which the people hunger is the very Word of God, and in so feeding them Jesus shows himself to be a shepherd “after [God’s] own heart,” feeding God’s people “with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). What is more, he shows himself to be the divine shepherd, the very Son of God in whom the kingdom has come.
So today as I prepare to welcome the chance to rest in the summer holidays, I pray that my rest will be with Jesus. That I will be nourished by His Word and the Sacraments. That my faith will be enriched in the joy of the Gospel and the beauty of God's Kingdom. And that, especially as society begins to open up more, I might be guided by the Good Shepherd to build His Kingdom here on earth. Amen
- Jonathan
Gospel for Sunday 18th July 2021, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B: Mark 6:30-34
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
Reflection.
To put this passage in context in St Mark's Gospel, the Apostles have been sent out to proclaim the coming of God's Kingdom. Indeed this idea of helping to build the Kingdom is key throughout Mark's Gospel with Jesus' first public words being to repent and believe the good news of God's Kingdom. Today's Gospel emphasises Jesus’ identity as the true, divine shepherd, who will guide his sheep into the kingdom.
As a teacher at this time of the year I am immediately drawn to the line "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. " This seems to fit perfectly to me coming to the end of another academic year with my mind and body weary and in need of rest and recuperation. The chance to remove myself from the hustle and bustle of the working day and week and just be with God to rest into His loving and healing presence seems ideal. I feel as though Jesus is inviting me to come and rest with Him and to let Him take control. To take the time to pray and reflect more deeply on my life is certainly necessary especially given the nature of the past year or so with its many new challenges and difficulties.
Like us, the apostles needed to rest, time to recuperate, regenerate and gain spiritual nourishment, but there was no rest for Jesus. The people followed him in their thousands to the place where they had chosen to rest. So, moved with compassion, Jesus responded to their needs spiritually and physically.
In a sermon in 2017, Pope Francis used five verbs to refer to the “closeness” of Jesus to his people: see, call, talk, touch and heal. “Christ calls us to touch the flesh of the other by hand, particularly the suffering and the needy.” This is “the path of the good shepherd”.
This is the kind of shepherd Jesus calls us to be if we are to feed those who are hungry, give drink to those who are thirsty, shelter those who are homeless, visit those who are sick and prisoners, bury the dead and give alms to those who are poor.
Through the gospel, we are asked to prepare ourselves better to reach out to others in need, through strengthening our relationship with God.
So a crowd gathers, as we hear so often in the Gospels. Seeing the great crowd, Jesus “had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd”. Instantly I am reminded of what Shepherds do and are like. They are faithful, kind, protective, loyal, generous and selfless. How often in my life do I feel like a sheep away from its Shepherd? How often do I fall into the trap of trying to follow the wrong crowd? Or do I let the Good Shepherd show me the way to follow?
Jesus, moved in compassion for these lost sheep, “began to teach them many things." The food for which the people hunger is the very Word of God, and in so feeding them Jesus shows himself to be a shepherd “after [God’s] own heart,” feeding God’s people “with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). What is more, he shows himself to be the divine shepherd, the very Son of God in whom the kingdom has come.
So today as I prepare to welcome the chance to rest in the summer holidays, I pray that my rest will be with Jesus. That I will be nourished by His Word and the Sacraments. That my faith will be enriched in the joy of the Gospel and the beauty of God's Kingdom. And that, especially as society begins to open up more, I might be guided by the Good Shepherd to build His Kingdom here on earth. Amen
- Jonathan
🎶Wednesday Worship 🎶
The song I wanted to share this week is 1,000 Names by Phil Wickham. I’ve had this song on repeat since I first heard it a couple of weeks ago. The song goes through many of the names we have for God, celebrating His goodness and just Who He is.
“I call you Maker,
You give life an eternal spark
I call you Healer
You can mend any broken heart
I call you faithful Father
Because you finish everything you start
My soul was made, to respond”
This song reminds me a lot of when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, telling him, “I Am Who I Am”. God has so many names, because He is so many things.
We will probably never fully understand the depth of God’s character, but this song is a great way to praise Him for Who He is!
“I know You by 1000 names,
And I sing them back to You”
-Anna
youtu.be/gricEbvNhNg
The song I wanted to share this week is 1,000 Names by Phil Wickham. I’ve had this song on repeat since I first heard it a couple of weeks ago. The song goes through many of the names we have for God, celebrating His goodness and just Who He is.
“I call you Maker,
You give life an eternal spark
I call you Healer
You can mend any broken heart
I call you faithful Father
Because you finish everything you start
My soul was made, to respond”
This song reminds me a lot of when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, telling him, “I Am Who I Am”. God has so many names, because He is so many things.
We will probably never fully understand the depth of God’s character, but this song is a great way to praise Him for Who He is!
“I know You by 1000 names,
And I sing them back to You”
-Anna
youtu.be/gricEbvNhNg
Great choice Anna Jordan!! This is definitely going to be the next song I learn to play and sing so that we can use it in worship!
We had a wonderful time celebrating the end of term with our Seekers at St Clare's! So thankful we have been able to meet over the past few months and looking forward to seeing everyone in September. Have a fantastic summer break.
Every Sunday we share some thoughts on the Gospel. Today's reflection comes from Jen - thanks Jen!
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Come and join us for the last Unveiled before the summer break
Thank you everyone for joining. Let us all keep Chris' family and Brenda's son in our hearts and prayers. This will be our last Unveiled for the summer. We will continue in September, however online sessions will not be taking place September onwards. It has been a tough year for the Metanoia Project, it would be great if you check out the link below outlining how to donate to the metanoia project. Thank you so much everyone! metanoiaproject.co.uk/donate/
The next song is oceans by hillsong worship
Please Lord bless and protect Chris and his Family. 🙏
Thank you Joe for that inspiring talk! We will now go into Adoration and worship. Ruth will now sing Gratitude by Brandon Lake
The reading is from Mark 6:6-13
Ruth will now sing 'Build my life' by HouseFlies
The first song is ' There is a power' by Rita Springer
Hello everyone, welcome to the last Unveiled for the summer. If there are any technical issues please place them in the chat and if there is anything you would like us to pray for please also put them in the chat. Thank you so much, we hope you all have a great evening!
May I ask prayers for my brother,Brian,who is in his last days now having suffered long with Parkinsons.Also his wife who has nursed him who is now in heart failure.Thank you,Lord, for your great love.
🙏🙏 for Brian his wife and all Parkinson sufferers,of whom I know 3 people and also 3 friends who have died in last 18months RIP Amen…..come Holy Spirit with your healing power and peace
Thank the Lord I was with you tonight….May You receive continued grace for all future endeavours….and any open doors! God bless you all 🙏🙏
Evening and glad to be worshipping our King with you all❣️
Thanks so much,Joe. Great message.
Thank you. I will miss unveiled being online but may God bless you in all the work you do 🙏
🙏🙏for my son Peter suffering with life changing Long Covid
Thank you metanoia project, God bless you for the good job you are doing
Amen
🙏🙏 for continued trust in the Lord ….his time, his ways not ours Amen
Christ is risen Alleluia Amen 🙏
Alleluia
Thank you
🎶WORSHIP WEDNESDAY🎶
I have only just come across this song and I couldn't wait to share it for my Worship Wednesday.
Million Little Miracles by Elevation Worship & Maverick City.
This song reminds me of how blessed I am, how much I have to be thankful for and just how good and generous our God is.
"I think it over and it doesn't add up" God gives us more than we could imagine. Big things and little, we have so much to say thank you for! A million little miracles, more than we can count!
Enjoy 🙂
Nora
I have only just come across this song and I couldn't wait to share it for my Worship Wednesday.
Million Little Miracles by Elevation Worship & Maverick City.
This song reminds me of how blessed I am, how much I have to be thankful for and just how good and generous our God is.
"I think it over and it doesn't add up" God gives us more than we could imagine. Big things and little, we have so much to say thank you for! A million little miracles, more than we can count!
Enjoy 🙂
Nora
Are you a young adult looking for your next adventure with God? Get in touch or check out our website for more details: metanoiaproject.co.uk/metanoia-missionaries/
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