Transcipt 14th November

 

Hebrews 10:11-12

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

11 And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, ‘he sat down at the right hand of God’,

Hebreaid 10:11-12

Beibl William Morgan

11 Ac y mae pob offeiriad yn sefyll beunydd yn gwasanaethu, ac yn offrymu yn fynych yr un aberthau, y rhai ni allant fyth ddileu pechodau: 12 Eithr hwn, wedi offrymu un aberth dros bechodau, yn dragywydd a eisteddodd ar ddeheulaw Duw;

S100 SACRIFICE

On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918 an Armistice was declared beginning the end of hostilities in the 1^st World War. This war was talked about as the war to end all wars, such was the sacrifice made by countries all over the globe, lives and resources spent in conflict. It was an idealistic name, it was aspirational but unfortunately it proved to be untrue as the second world war followed on it’s heals. The sacrifices never truly stopped although the world knows greater peace nowadays than it once did.

When Jesus was visiting the temple with his friends he said “You see these great buildings? One day they will be gone, nothing but rubble!” it wasn’t only a prophecy of the destruction of the temple but I think it was more likely Jesus saying, “One day soon this place of sacrifice to correct for humanities misdeeds will no longer be needed.” Jesus’ sacrificial giving of himself was to end the sacrificial system, a sacrifice to end sacrifice. Unlike the war to end all war it was true. It allowed for humanity to step out of the cycle of sin and sacrifice and follow what God asked for “With what shall I come to God? With burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will God be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousands rivers of oil? How about my firstborn for my transgression, fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 

 

Pocket Prayer

God of peace, you created all humanity in your image.

You created us to live in peace, sharing your perfect love, shown through Jesus. We remember and give thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus bringing to an end the sacrificial system, the dying and rising once to save all, both friend and foe, saint and sinner.

We give thanks for and honour the memory of all who died as a result of war, in the hope that one day there might be peace.

God of peace, we pray for this cycle of sacrifice to end,

Women and men sacrificed for the safety of others, sacrificed on the alter of power and ambition, sacrificed in the name of peace.

We remember before you, God of peace, all those who have given so much. Given their lives in service to help and protect those who are in danger. Given their lives in commitment to the ideals of peace, refusing to kill in spite of the cost. Given their lives in being trapped in danger unable to flee or fight.

We lament before you, God of peace, the cycle of war. The cycle of greed, desiring the resources of others. The cycle of prejudice, which looks beyond your face on others only seeing difference. The cycle of hate and anger, remembering wrongs and ancient divisions.

We celebrate before you, God of peace, love showing the way. Love showing the way, guiding people to choose life over death. Love showing the way, revealing your image in our shared humanity. Love showing the way, teaching us to share your resources entrusted to us.

God of peace, go behind us, walk beside us and wait before us.

In the name of Christ we will remember, lament and celebrate.

Amen.