Anyone who saw the pictures of the floods in Valencia in 2024 will appreciate the power that water can have. Floods and storms are some of the clearest signs of a chaotic and destructive power that is beyond human control. Jesus’ disciples were far more aware of this than most of us today. As fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John knew the danger of the storms that could blow up on the Sea of Galilee without warning, storms that were beyond human control and dwarfed the works of people.

In this Sunday’s gospel reading (Matthew 14.22-33), Jesus’ disciples were trying to row their boat through one of these storms. In the midst of the wind and waves, Jesus came, walking on the water, in complete control of these destructive and chaotic forces. The disciples must have recalled the ancient stories of God parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the River Jordan (Joshua 3) for the people of Israel to pass through. It may have reminded them of the image of God moving over the chaotic waters of creation, parting the waters to allow the dry land to appear (Genesis 1). No human could control the waters, only God. They could see that Jesus was the Son of God, the great I am in human form living among us.

We can reflect more on this this Sunday at 10.00 am with Holy Communion at St Mary’s. The 10.30 am service at All Saints is Muddy Messy Church. Note that there is no 8.00 am service at All Saints this Sunday.

Sunday 9^th August

10.00 am	St Mary’s	Holy Communion
10.30 am	All Saints	Muddy Messy Church

We have our normal services for the coming week. Next Sunday is the third Sunday of the month so we have Holy Communion at St Mary’s at 10.00 am and All Saints at 10.30 am.

Wednesday 12th	All Saints	9.00 am		Celtic Morning Prayer
Thursday 13th	St Mary’s	10.00 am		Holy Communion
Sunday 16th	St Mary’s	10.00 am		Holy Communion
	All Saints	10.30 am		Holy Communion

May God guide you through the storms of life and land you safely on the shore.

Yours in Christ

Mark