The Son of Man…

Our passage for today from Mark is set in two places but seems to flow seamlessly between them. Firstly, Jesus is walking through a field with his disciples who are hungry and picking some heads of grain. Pharisees seem to always be watching Jesus in Mark’s Gospel, and here they see the grain being picked and immediately accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. Rather than be drawn in to discussions over the law, Jesus simply quotes King David’s actions on behalf of his hungry companions and redefines the Sabbath. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” End of discussion. Jesus has just described himself as more than equal to David by not only citing David’s actions, but calling himself by the title Son of Man, which was a known title for the Messiah. We are then taken to a synagogue where again it was the Sabbath, and again there were people there watching for a chance to accuse Jesus. Knowing what is being plotted against him, Jesus demonstrates the truth he revealed to the Pharisees in the previous altercation. A man with a withered hand is in the synagogue. He shouldn’t be there, given his disability and pharisaic rules, but he is. Jesus makes him stand up in front of everyone. Perhaps he will throw the man out. But Jesus instead asks the watchers whether it would be lawful to do evil or good on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill. This is to bring the issue clearly into the light. They want to trap him into ‘breaking Sabbath’ by healing the disabled man. Jesus, angry at their stubbornness, heals the man – and they go out to plot his death. What is the point of the two altercations? Mark wants us to see that Jesus is clearly greater than David or any of the biblical patriarchs. This is the Son of Man, the Messiah who has been prophesied. He is Lord. Not only does he heal the sick, but he challenges the authority of the rules made by men which are not honouring the laws of God which they were made up to protect. Instead, the rules are adding to the burdens of the people of God. His direct challenge is gaining him enemies but releasing those who have been burdened by the weight of condemnation. Jesus is setting captives free and bringing grace, and we are to do the same.

Janice

This Week

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Op Shop…

Our Op Shop is a ministry of this parish to the wider community which Parish Council would like to see grow as a ministry, alongside its financial support of our work here. We have had some volunteers resign this week for various reasons and will be in need of others to assist. If you can spare some time to help, please see Edna South or another member of our Op Shop Committee: Vicki Brown, Lorraine Strickland, Richard Watson, Graeme and Cheryl King or Rev’d Janice.

Fencing & Security Project…

There are pedestrian access gates at either end of the carpark so we can easily come and go on foot. Only need gates now. Thank you to those who have contributed to the cost of the fence. We are still in need of donations. If you would like to donate towards this project, please put any cash into an envelope marked “Fencing/Security” and put it in the offering bag on a Sunday. We will provide you with a receipt and keep these monies aside for the project. If you wish to give to this project electronically, please speak to Janice as we are keeping these monies in a special account.

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine.
• For families affected by violence.
• For those affected by natural disasters in around the world.
• For King Charles III, the UK and the Commonwealth.
• For peace and unity in countries around the World.
• For aid agencies such as “Save the Children”, Oxfam, CARE, UNICEF, World Vision.

In our community:

• For teachers and students.
• For doctors, nurses, paramedics, Coast Guard, the CFA & SES.
• For local community outreach groups such as the Dromana Community House and “Food for All”.

In our Diocese and beyond:

• For Archbishop Geoffrey Smith’s ministry as Primate of Australia.
• For Archbishop Philip Freier’s ministry in the Diocese of Melbourne.
• For the ministry of Bishop Paul Barker in the Jumbunna Region and for Archdeacon Helen Phillips in the Frankston Archdeaconry. Give thanks that Archdeacon Helen is now well and beginning to return to work.
• In our Deanery, we pray for the Parish of St George’s Red Hill and their Vicar Rev’d Fiona Goy.
• For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
• For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary.
• For Christian churches around the world to be free to worship and be witnesses of the love of God as shown through the coming of His Son.

In our Parish:

• For our leadership and ministry teams.
• For Rev’d Janice O’Gorman our Vicar.
• For the finances of our Parish.
• For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
• For the success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
• For the 2024 Alpha program, its leaders, and all who attend.
• For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For: Joy, Maggie D, Harry, Pat, Ilett family, Joan R, Chloe, Ted, Monica, Jessica, Audrey, Joan, Backy, Margie, Fred, Robert, Jan, David, Guy.