During the time of lockdown my husband set himself the mammoth task of sorting out all the old family photographs – hundreds of them! I am sure that, like us, you are sometimes struck by family likenesses in your family. So often we hear someone say, ‘You look so like your mother/father [or grandparent].’ Or when seeing a new-born baby exclaim that a family likeness can be seen.

As seen in the Bible passage for today we often refer to our Christian Church as a family. A sense of family likeness in shared beliefs and values as we follow Jesus. But, just as in any family on Earth, all members are also very individually different, and, as with our own families, we pray that within our Church family we do not let these differences come between us. In this reflection take time to think and pray for our Church family known to you.

As a child I was aware that my mother had an early morning ‘quiet time’ before the rest of the family got up – I knew she made the coal fire and prepared breakfast. But I was also aware she read her old Bible because I would sometimes look at that difficult-to-read book and I would find new passages and words underlined. It began to trouble me as a child that I did not have her understanding or depth of faith and I had asked her to tell me how to believe in God. I clearly recall her answer, that in the Bible it does not say we can be grandchildren of God – we are sons and daughters – children of God – that I was a child of God.

We had many further discussions about faith, and I am very aware she gave me the building blocks of Bible stories, prayers, and guidance to nurture my own spiritual journey and awareness.

Take a minute today, to reflect who has been the person, or people, who have given you the building blocks and guidance to support your own spiritual journey. A parent, a teacher, clergy or minister, someone from your Church or another Church in this worldwide family of God’s people. In private prayer time today remember these people, and our Church family, who have nourished and help you grow in faith.

Let us pray in these challenging times for our Church family that we are shaped into a Church to the glory of God our Father, through the power of the Spirit and the Love of Jesus. Amen. 

Prayer