Journey of a Thousand Steps

• Is it Important to Go to Church Every Week?

  Have you always told yourself that regular Church attendance isn't important? Or, have you been a regular attender, tithing and serving on rosters, yet found the experience did not enrich your faith? John 20.19-31 tells us two stories in a row about Jesus appearing at an early church gathering: the first without Thomas present and the second with. When Thomas is away he misses the experience of Jesus appearing and filling the disciples with the Holy Spirit. His faith suffers as a result. This week's Gospel reading reminds us that faith is 80% lived and experienced publicly, and only partly in private. Limiting our faith to a private expression is like limiting a relationship to sex. Very. Limited.   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 27 April 2025. 

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• The Resurrection is More Natural Than We Think (Easter Sunday)

  The first witness of the Resurrection was Jesus' friend and Apostle, Mary. The account of her experience, as well as that of John and Peter in John 20.1-18, tells us straight away what the Resurrection was like and why Jesus did it. First, we see that it was a very natural experience as Mary reconnected with her friend in a garden. It was hugs and words and no bells or whistles or dancing angels or glitter. Secondly, Jesus' reason for appearing in a resurrected body and then returning to Heaven was strategic and purposeful. This Easter Sunday we considered these things and heard a testimony from Jude Becela, who was baptised into new life this day.  Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 20 April 2025. 

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• O Happy Fault (Good Friday)

  If someone were to ask you to explain in thirty seconds why Jesus had to die on a cross, what would you say? The cross has a power that is unmistakable and undeniable. Even the symbol of a cross standing in a church carries an emotional impact for people as they enter. The story of Jesus bring betrayed, sentenced and crucified, as we read aloud every Good Friday, never ceases to be deeply moving. This week, after reading the Passion narrative in John 18.1-19.42, we considered how to make its meaning plain. The cross means that there is no suffering God hasn't experienced and cannot meet us in. It also means there is no compromise, dehumanisation or harm that God cannot make us totally free from.    Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 18 April 2025. 

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• Something Bigger (Palm Sunday)

  How do you feel about being affiliated with the institutional Church? Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem in John 12.12-16 reminds us that He never saw Himself as merely starting a spiritual movement for local communities or individuals. Accepting the title of a Messianic king, Jesus saw Himself as launching a campaign for world change. He had a very big plan in mind, even though the method through which He planned to change the world was not what anyone was expecting. Jesus made a way for a new order and the world has never been the same since. It was bigger than expected. It was political. It did have social, economic and institutional structures attached. So how do we stay proud to be a part of this movement in light of the many reasons to distrust and dislike institutional religion?   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 13 April 2025. 

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• A Woman Who Spends Her Time, Her Sexuality, and Her Money... and a Man Who is Offended

  "Leave her alone," Jesus said when His friend, Mary, was criticised for her act of love towards Him. In John 12.1-8 we encounter a story of Jesus sharing a final meal with His friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary, days before His journey to the cross. Mary prophetically anoints His body with a highly expensive perfume (and a lot of it), and takes down her hair to dry His feet. As the fragrance fills the house and sinks into her hair, and His, we see her marking a moment of anguish and deep sorrow with extravagant love. Jesus' ultimate sacrifice is preempted as beautiful. As we watch this scene we are invited to consider how we will spend our time, beauty and riches? Are we prepared to let our lives look wasteful to others?   Podcast by Heather Cetrangolo, 6 April 2025. 

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