7th Sunday after Trinity, 1 Aug 1954"

The Collect: Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things; Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and in thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All of us who profess to be Christ’s followers need a greater reality and depth in our religious life – and that is exactly what we pray for in the magnificent Collect for today. “Graft in our hearts the love of Thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of thy great mercy keep us in the same; …” Those who have really made their mark as Christians are the people who are very conscious of their shortcomings and have tried to get near to the Spirit of God, and to allow His Spirit to dwell in them. That is how they have become God’s servants.

Brotherhood Prayer

As we read the Epistle (Romans 6:19-23) we are faced with a challenge – Under which king shall we serve? ‘For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness, unto holiness.’

Uncleanness vs. holiness Sin vs. righteousness

We have to choose. We cannot have it both ways. Christ claims us for his own – and we should have given ourselves to Him when we were confirmed, if not before.

The world really is hungry for Him though most people do not realise this. As with the feeding of the 4,000 in today’s Gospel, Christ feeds us with Himself, especially in and through Holy Communion where He promises us the bread which is life indeed.