Day Twenty Seven

John 7

25 Now, some of the people of Jerusalem were saying,
"Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill?

26 And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him!
Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah?

27 Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from."

28 Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple,
"You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own.
But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him.

29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me."

30 Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come.

31 Yet many in the crowd believed in him and were saying, "When the Messiah comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?"

From: St Matthew-in-the-City, Anglican Church, Auckland, New Zealand

"In the last month I've officiated at the funerals of two children. I find the following poem, adapted from Jim Cotter, expressive of my feelings.

Barely I believe yet truly,
God is here though hard to see
God is love and known most fully
Suffering on a withered tree.

And I trust renewing Spirit
In and through our common life,
Weaving threads all torn and broken,
Shaping hope out of strife.

Yet I do not understand
How shock, grief and pain
Are part of any great plan.
Just hold me, comfort me, keep me sane,
In the palm of your pierced hand."

Glynn Cardy
Vicar, St Matthew-in-the-City