This Sunday’s Old Testament reading is a call to the prophet Ezekiel to warn the people to turn away from their wicked ways. However, it also contains a challenge to Ezekiel. If the prophet does not warn the people, God will blame him for whatever happens to them as a consequence of their deeds. However, if he does warn them, then God will know that the prophet has done all that he can and cannot be blamed.

God puts this challenge before us as well. If we do not challenge the bad behaviour we see, then it is partly our fault if that behaviour continues. Whether it is language or jokes that demean people, wasting of resources, ignoring the needs of those around us or refusing to engage in social and political issues, God expects us to challenge behaviour which does not meet his standards.  Those challenges need to be made in loving constructive ways, but if we turn a blind eye, then part of the blame falls on us.

We will have more chance to think on this at our 10:30 am service of Holy Communion at All Saints. At St Mary’s we have Creative Church at 10:00 am and Choral Evensong at 6.30 pm. This gives the following services this Sunday:

10:00 am	St Mary’s	Creative Church
10:30 am	All Saints	Holy Communion
6:30 pm	St Mary’s	Choral Evensong

The services for the coming week are as normal. Next Sunday follows the normal second Sunday format. This gives the following services for the coming week:

Wednesday 9th	9:00 am	All Saints	Celtic Morning Prayer
Thursday 10th	10:00 am	St Mary’s	Holy Communion
Sunday 13th	8:00 am	All Saints	Holy Communion
	10:00 am	St Mary’s	Holy Communion
	10:30 am	All Saints	Messy Muddy Church

Yours in Christ

Mark