Dear Friends and Families,
As I write, the medal tally for Australia at the Tokyo Olympic Games is a remarkable 31 medals - 14 Gold, 3 Silver and 14 Bronze. We are currently fourth on the ladder. Simply stunning!
I do hope that you have enjoyed the vast array of sports currently on show and have relished the human drama that competitive sport brings about, both successes and disappointments.
The New Testament in the Bible was written at a time when the Ancient Games were held every four years in Olympia, Greece (between 776BC and AD393). Thus, it is no surprise that some of the letters (epistles) would refer to these contests and draw out spiritual applications from them.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes, ‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever’ [9:24-25].
As noble and exhilarating as it is for an athlete to receive a medal and a wreath, they are both “perishable”; they will not last forever. However, the prize which Jesus Christ offers to every human being is one that will last forever: the gift of eternal life – an “imperishable” reward.
Thankfully also, this gift does not have to be earned by us through works or deeds. Rather, it is a free gift, earned by the merits of Christ himself on the cross. Now that is indeed worth celebrating!
If you would like to speak further, or have questions about the Christian life, then do please contact me at: [email protected]
I also encourage you to pray the collect prayer for the week below.
If you would like to explore the certainty of Christ further, the two local Anglican churches (currently meeting online) listed below lead regular Sunday services.
St Peter’s, Craigieburn (meets at 10.30am on Sundays in the Chapel at Hume Anglican Grammar – 100 Mt Ridley Road, Mickleham)
Locum: Father Charles Potter
Mobile: 0468 331 549 / 03 9308 2452
Email: [email protected]
http://www.humeparish.melbourneanglican.org.au
https://www.facebook.com/humeparishcraigieburn/
Redemption Anglican Church (meets at 4.00pm on Sundays at the Hume Tennis & Community Centre - 225 Marathon Blvd, Craigieburn)
Pastor: Reverend Akhil Gardner
Mobile: 0400 021 381
Email: [email protected]
https://www.rccraigieburn.com.au/online
https://www.facebook.com/rccraigieburn/
Prayer for the week
Almighty God,
whose beloved Son for our sake,
willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross:
give us courage and patience to take up our cross daily and follow him;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Song – especially the last verse! (May the Mind of Christ my Saviour)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE5fOXSymBc
Reverend Peter Waterhouse - School Chaplain