St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff
24-04-24

Today's gospel 
John ch12 v 44 to 50.

This is Jesus's last public statement before his crucifixion and his plea to his disciples...that if we believe in him but not really putting/setting our faith in him but in the Father who sent Christ.

So, it is impossible to put our faith in Jesus without resting one's faith in God the Father and visa-versa. And the same applies to the spirit as well because the three are the Trinity and are not separable. 
Put simply in a few words..Jesus is saying that he alone provides the means of SALVATION.

Let us pray! 

Lord Jesus thank you for coming as the light. Making clear the reality of God. 
Please let the light of Jesus reach any dark shadowy areas in our lives that we may be saved we pray 
 
*Amen*

St Barnabas Anglican Church-Bluff 

23.04.2024
Today's Gospel 
John 10:22‐30

The Jews gathered around him saying How long will you keep us in suspense if you are the Christ tell us plainly. 
I did tell you, but you don't believe, you don't believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice I know them they follow me. My father who has given them to me is greater than all no one can snatch them out of my father's hand. I and my father are one.

Reflection
Jesus wants to lead us to safety to the fullness of his life. wants us to listen to his voice. 

Let us pray! 

Thank you, father, that Jesus is our Good Shepherd and through him we can be restored into fellowship 
With you  

Amen

.                                      . 

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 20.04.24
Today's gospel. 
John 6:60-69

 *Some comments*. 

The twelve having had a relationship with Jesus are connected to a deeper knowing having found their home in Him.

He says *the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” * 

It's through faith that the words of Jesus Christ become clear and our experience of His presence helps us to believe in Him.

We thank Jesus for all His provisions and ask Him to strengthen our weak faith.

Simon Peter answered Him, ‘*Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. * *We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’*

May these words resound in our hearts, challenging and encouraging us as we find ourselves uttering them to Jesus.

' *Lord, to whom can we go...? * 

May we listen to Jesus asking us? 
“What about you, do you also want to go away too?” 

Each of us should reply for herself or himself. *Lord, to whom can we go...? *

 *Let us pray*

Lord Jesus Christ increase our faith in You.

Amen.

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 19/4/24
 Today's gospel 
John6:52-59.                                      . 

So by eating this bread they became participants in his dying and also in his risen life.
By doing this we have a personal one on one relationship with Jesus. 
As we partake of the Eucharist in faith it becomes a means of abiding in Christ.

This flesh and blood is also a journey into the life of the world bearing witness to the eternal life of Jesus.This Eucharist is the food for our missionary journey into the world for its salvation.

Basically those who eat the flesh and drink the blood are those who identify themselves with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross....every time you eat and drink this cup we are proclaiming the lord's arrival one day. 

 *Let us pray.* 

Father God, we lift up all those who are in need of your love, comfort and guidance.
Be with the lonely and suffering and the lost. Use us as a vessel of your love and also to be a source of encouragement in Jesus mighty name. 

​Amen

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 
18.04.2024.
Today's gospel 
John 6:44-51

Some thoughts on today's gospel. 

The point about Jesus Christ, the bread from Heaven, continues. 

Jesus Christ our spiritual nourishment for our daily journey, gives us energy for everyday life. The struggle to do good and to live a gospel-centered life.
The bread of life is the gift of God's life on earth. In opening ourselves to the Word of God and the Bread of God we are gifted and graced with the love that lasts forever.

 *Let us pray*. 

Jesus Christ our bread of life, thank you for offering yourself to be our bread of life. May we be accompanied on the pilgrimage of our life by the one who feeds us with living bread, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 17.4.2024.
Today's gospel 
John 6 35 to 40

If we change the words slightly from, I am the bread of life to...
Jesus is the bread from heaven that satisfies our deepest hunger in life. This is the eternal life that we are given.
So, Jesus was born not to give the bread of life BUT to be the bread of life.
Plain and simple, Jesus was saying that when we trust in him completely, we will be spiritually fulfilled and satisfied in faith. Is part of becoming more like Jesus.

Let us pray! 

Lord Jesus thank you for being our sustainer...healer and the bringer of life.
We open our hearts to the everyday miracles in our lives.
Give us strength to continue and to use it for good so that we may continue your good works. 

Amen

St Barnabas Anglican Church-Bluff

16.04.2024
Today's Gospel 
John6:30-35

30 So they asked him what signs you will give us that we may see it and believe in you. 
31 Our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness.
32 Jesus said to them: Very truly I tell you it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. 
34 Sir they said ALWAYS GIVE US THE BREAD 
35 Then Jesus declared I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE. Whoever comes to me NEVER GO HUNGRY and whoever BELIEVES IN ME WILL NEVER BE THIRSTY 

Let us pray

Our fountain of life 
Lord of peace
Lord of miracles we praise you and worship you have mercy on us.

Father helps us not to believe of things that are human hand made but to Jesus Christ our minister. 
Thank you for him being our bread of life we pray! 

Amen

St. Barnabas Anglican Parish, Bluff. 15.04.24.  
 Today's gospel           
John 6:22-29 

... 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

 *Comments* 

Friends, Jesus offers us material and spiritual gifts. The disciples followed Him in this text, to get more bread. They wanted to be fed and not to lack ordinary food. Jesus has more to give. He offers the food and the drink of eternal life. The food and drink of His love and the love of God which will never get stale or run dry. This is the food of faith - prayer is the nourishment of faith.

 *Let us pray. *   

Lord Jesus Christ, may we always hunger not only for physical food but also for Spiritual food that endures for eternal life. We thank You for Your generosity. Increase our faith in You and strengthen us daily.

Amen.

St. Barnabas Anglican, Bluff.  13.04.24                               
 *today's gospel*                 
John 6:16 - 21                                                                           

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing, and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, [a] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “*It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21* Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

 *Some comments*.               We are never alone in all the storms of life. Jesus is always watching over us and is ready the calm down our storms. Have faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The storm will be over.   
                                   
 *Let us pray*                     

Risen Lord Jesus Christ, we trust Your presence in our life, keep Your eyes on us and come to our rescue before the waters of life go over us. Stay with us and calm down our fears and storms.

Amen.