I like your new format! You always have so much that is helpful to the text.

So interesting...thankyou!

You're so right, so often "we" merge the Gospels. This is one of the most interesting places where we do that because it wouldn't make for a great children's nativity play if all we had was Matthew and the slaughter of the Innocents. I don't think families visiting my parish on Christmas Eve would come back if Matthew was all we did. 🤣 Yet we sanitise the reality of the 21st Century and suffering children. 😥

Thank you all for still doing Conversation Minis.

Thankyou so much...and may the blessing of God be with you all also.

Today, this was just the lift, the tonic I needed! Thank you - maybe I am ready to face 'Christmas' after all

Thankyou so much!

Thank you! A blessed Christmas to you too.

Christmas Blessings and thankyou for providing these conversations!😊

Thank you, Lisa, for defending the truth, and for returning the session to Christ's kingship.

The truth does belong to one person: Jesus.

Fantastic thankyou all

Fantastic thankyou all

what a great conversation. Thanks team!

Jesus died so that we may live: Everything Jesus ever did was for the glory of the Father and for us. Jesus said it was a very big honor to die for our sins. Jesus died so that we can receive God’s Holy Spirit, which is the only way we can receive God’s truth through Jesus. Jesus died so that by God’s Holy Spirit we can be saved. Jesus died so we would remember God the Father and have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus died so that we can return back to the Father once we become lost to sin. Jesus knows how much the Father loves us that he sacrificed himself for our sake. Jesus of his own free will gave his life for us; no man took his life, but Jesus gave his life to save ours (John 10:18). God and Jesus did this so that we can know the only true God, the Father, and Jesus Christ. They did this so that we may become a family again (John 17:3), for they are one in spirit and in truth (John 10:30, John 17:21-23).

Great conversation

It's easier to believe that Jesus is present in the elements than to believe that the wafer is really bread. :)

Always a blessing. Thank you!

Thankyou so much for the song recommendation...love it!

Greetings from South Carolina, USA to my Anglican siblings Down Under! I am a priest serving a small congregation here. Thank you for sharing your insights.

Thankyou so much!

Thank you all for such beneficial and thoughtful reflection.

What about how when we surrender to God in love for Him, we will obey his commandments. Often obeying his commandments is scary and often takes more faith in God and love for God and surrender to Love than not obeying his commandments. And when we think about the way God's commandments come to us, they're always in part if not completely a sense within ourselves of what would be good or what would be loving, or what would be just or right to do for the sake of all things and reality... The question of obedience is one of trust and the question to our own hearts "will you love?" I'm reminded of how Peter says those who live in love live in God, and God in them, because God is love.

Ditto….such helpful commentary. Thank you!

Thank you, great work again.

Thanks everyone! Great points and interesting reflection.

Thankyou so much for these conversations.

Thank you again so much. You've given my more thought for Sunday's Sermon. I think it is important that this Gospel used the term Canaanite Woman. It is Mark's Gospel that talks about her as a Syro-Phonecian. Matthew uses a term that doesn't just designate her as a Gentile but as 'the old enemy' of the Israelites. Canaanites were a culture/society that was long gone, relegated to a history before Rome and Babylon, before Samaritans and divided Kingdoms, before Pharisees and Sadducees. Canaan and Canaanite didn't exist in the first century. Matthew is making an issue of her 'Canaaniteness'. Yet the "So what ...?" for the readers / audience (throughout Matthew, not just here) seems clear that the Gentiles are not excluded. Actually, I think Anne put it more strongly, that the Gentiles are welcomed. Thanks all!

You all are so terrific! Your conversation blesses me every week. Thank you!

Thanks again for a really helpful discussion

Thanks team. Hope Gillian feels better soon!

Thanks guys, I love these discussions and this one was exceptional

I continue to be impressed and amazed by the depth of insights you (and other contributors) offer week after week. Thank you so much!

great stuff folk

Listened to this as we have a quiet day with snow flakes heavy in the air now touched down in UK! . Having been through the cyclone and week long power cuts in Hawkes bay that you were talking about , we are thankful for all the kindnesses that made our time in NZ including with you Ann and Michael so special and grateful that internet can be a tool for good even though also it can seem like an invasive power.

Over here in the Uk and I wanted to say thank you, I look at for this each week to get me started on my sermonising :)

Thank you for being so vulnerable Peg. thank you for not editing this out

So well done as always. Thank you! A blessed Christmas to all of you.🎄❤️

Great work team. Have a wonderful Christmas.

These are so helpful in thinking about sermon prep, but also feeding me in my own discipleship. Thanks so much!

Btw...global church and study here. At the airport in San Diego going to Virginia, US

I am so grateful to have stumbled onto your conversations. I really enjoy exploring parables that are not at first reading "clear cut".

I so appreciate listening in on your conversations. So much that is helpful! Thank you!

I appreciate your insights. Thank you!

😭 ρ尺ｏΜ𝐎ᔕᗰ

Very interesting conversation and the idea of a balance between active and contemplation. I feel it is about active contemplation. I feel Jesus called Martha to do her work in contemplation.

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I find these reflections and conversations so very helpful, not just for sermon prep, but also for the wisdom to ponder throughout the week. Thank you for doing them and putting them online. From Tony in the UK.

Appreciate this. Thanks from the states!