A few words on the readings Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-end. Ezekiel speaks of God’s desire for repentance. He argues that we are each responsible for our actions before God but all God wants is a repentant heart. Forgiveness comes to those who turn from their wrongdoing. Philippians 2:1-13. Paul preaches humility. Humility can be found in serving the needs of others. Christ offers us the supreme example of humility because he put aside his divinity to submit himself to human suffering. Paul’s words concerning Christ as Lord and Saviour are sometimes repeated in church as a form of creed. They are also taken up in the great hymn ‘ At the name of Jesus’. They remind us of the great debt we owe Jesus and our need to make our lives reflect all that he has done for us. Matthew 21:23-32. The religious leaders wanting to fulfil their role as guardians of the faith challenge Jesus by asking him to say by whose authority he was carrying out his actions and teachings. Jesus refers to their attitude towards John the Baptist who was considered by the people as a prophet but whom they did not recognise. Put on the spot by Jesus they refuse to reply leaving Jesus to withold his own answer. Instead he tells the parable of the two sons and invites them to answer a simple question on the parable. They are obliged to give the correct answer, namely that the son who had disobeyed in the first place repented and carried out his father’s will. Jesus thus asserts that sinners who repent will enter the kingdom of heaven before those who merely use words but fail to put their faith into action. Opportunities for worship, prayers and other resources 27.09.2020 Reflection & Compline on Thursday at 7.30 pm on the Southwell Minster website www.southwellminster.org Radio & TV Sunday Worship on Radio 4 at 8-10 am Songs of Praise BBC 1 at 1-15 pm. Choral Evensong Wednesday at 3-30pm on BBC Radio 3 & on Sundays at 3.00pm The Daily Service (15 minutes on weekdays) at 9h45 on BBC Radio 4 long wave. Ministry Please continue to pray that a priest will feel called to apply for the new post in the three parishes of our Mission Area. We pray also for all the priests who come to lead our worship on Sundays. We pray as well for Right Revd. Sophie Jelley as she prepares to take up fully her new role as Bishop of Doncaster after her consecration last Monday in York Minster and her installation in Sheffield Cathedral on Wednesday evening. Our prayers are also asked for the new Archdeacon of Doncaster, the Venerable Javaid Iqbal, who was also installed on Wednesday evening and for the 9 deacons and 12 priests who are to be ordained during this weekend. .