Dear Friends
Why should anyone be a Christian? Many people in our society lead moral lives—they know right from wrong—isn’t that enough?
The Lord is clear in his teachings,
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24
It is either, therefore, the Lord whom we serve or money and riches (“mammon” means “money”). And it is possible to lead a good life as one whom the Apostle Paul refers to as having
the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.
Romans 2:15
Yet the snares of Mammon are strong: even those who outwardly “do good” can be caught in his traps. Our world continues on its way oblivious to the spiritual threats around it: our society is moving towards a kind of hedonism where all is permitted so long as it does not negatively impact another. And this is laughably, and without any sense of irony, called freedom.
If we see fellow human beings caught up in slavery we would, rightly, do all we can to free them—not condemning them for being captives but out of love for them. And we see around us, here in Eastleigh and throughout the region, many caught in slavery to Mammon: unjustly caught, deceived and tricked, but without the ability to escape.
Christ’s Resurrection offers to you and to me the chance to escape that slavery and enter true freedom, a freedom which leads to abundant life: who are we to withhold it from our world? Because if my relationship with the Church is based solely on what Church can do for me then my actions lead to condemnation, but if I focus on bringing the freedom I have received in Christ to the world then the possibilities are endless.
My dear brothers and sisters, dear friends, we are not all called to become missionaries in far-flung countries but we are called to love and care for our neighbours. Pray for them—our actual neighbours but also our colleagues, our bosses, our workers, our bus drivers and shop assistants, our doctors and plumbers, all whom we meet—and ask God to plant the seed of his love for them in their hearts. And, when the Lord wills, be prepared to water that seed.
Please note: there will be no services at St Francis Hall 18th–19th September. They will resume 25th–26th September and continue weekly from there.
Services this week
Friday 17th September
Discussion on the book of Genesis, 8 pm
Online only
Saturday 18th September
No service
Sunday 19th September
No service
Can I help you?
I am here for you, you need only ask. Is there a way I can support your life of faith? Get in touch.
Can you help the mission?
Yes, absolutely. Offer yourselves to the Lord: pray! Make available to him all your talents and ask him how he would like you to use them — listen for his reply.
Your prayers!
With love in Christ
Fr Alexander
[email protected]