Dear Friends,

I suppose there are some of those reading my letters who are going through difficulties of one kind or another - indeed don’t we all? As persons of faith - at least in various  degrees - we are not thereby insulated from such difficulties. Obviously the kinds of problems that are worldwide (for instance) will have an effect on all of us, irrespective of our states of mind as particular individuals. Even the difficulties that we as individuals might consider to be personal to us, either because of our own character or our own particular circumstances, may often be found replicated quite closely in the lives of many others when we get to know or understand them better.

As has been pointed out before, and in many sorts of matters a degree of repetition is quite helpful and valid, we in the Body of Christ are invited to the “Way” of discipleship to Christ Jesus in all areas of life, and the Apostle Paul speaks of walking by faith rather than by sight. Sight, of course, is obviously good, but by means of faith placed over sight we can keep more accurately true to the Way of Christ Jesus in any part of that walk.

The Collect for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity is 

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as be rightful; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The prayer reminds us that by and of ourselves we cannot bring about an intention “to think and do always such things as be rightful”, but that such an intention or “spirit” must be conferred upon us by the Lord. This thought is complemented by the admission that we “cannot do any thing that is good without” the Lord. So accordingly we pray to be “enabled” to live according to the will of God; “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

Indeed, it can be said that the Collect for next Sunday is a deep prayer for the ascendancy of faith over sight that that we have just been thinking about. It is a hugely important perspective in any intention to live in a way that conforms with the Way of Jesus Christ.

For directions about the services this Sunday the 14th August 2022, the 9th Sunday after Trinity, please see the website www.TruthWithLanguage.com .

In faith in the holy Name of our Lord Jesus, who will continue to provide guidance and joy by the Holy Spirit to all His people.

+ Nicholas