‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’ When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place. Matthew 13:47-53
Today was the first day of the Lambeth Conference which included speeches by the Archbishop, his wife and members of his staff. We then had lunch and went into small groups, returning to the discussion groups many of us participated in over the last year. Limited to a wheelchair, I sat in the sun with a collection of bishops from across the communion including Pakistan, Kenya, South Sudan, Canada and the US. We spoke of the challenges of Covid and blessings we have received in the midst of a pandemic. We know we come from very different contexts, theologies and cultures, but we all felt for others' challenges and rejoiced together in the blessings. This is a place of a wide net. May all who are drawn in be blessed see each other as precious treasure, both new and old. May we never set aside anyone's gifts or their way of worship.
Blessed Creator, heart of your creation
we who are honored to gather here
are anxious to know your will for all of us
and receive you blessings for every corner.
Let us listen more than we speak out
help us to pardon more than we offend
give us patience to see your possibilities rising
and help us make way for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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