Alison and the whale

Even scars become gift in God's hands

The children of the COVID-19 lockdown will bear scars of this time for the rest of their lives. We worry about this, and yet, healthy scars bear powerful witness to a living, healing God.
A reflection on John 20:19-31 given to Sanctuary, 19 April 2020 (Easter 2A) © Alison Sampson, 2020.

Trusting that life will prevail

The Apostle Paul said that, if Christ had not been raised, then our faith is in vain. So what is resurrection faith?
A reflection on Matthew 28:1-10 given to Sanctuary, 12 April 2020 (Easter) © Alison Sampson, 2020.

Caught between two parades

There were, and always will be, two parades: one embodying the power of empire, the other, vulnerability and self-sacrifice.
A reflection on Matthew 21:1-11 given Sanctuary, 5 April 2020 (Palm Sunday) © Alison Sampson, 2020.

A word of life to a nation in lockdown

Through the prophet Ezekiel, God promises life to a people cut off from everything they once knew.
A reflection on Ezekiel 37:1-14 given Sanctuary, 29 March 2020 (Lent 5A) © Alison Sampson, 2020

Not Donald, not Boris, but you and me

In a time of increasing unrest, it's not big men but little pepole like us who are needed.
A reflection on 1 Samuel 16:1-13 given to Sanctuary, 22 March 2020 (Lent 4A) © Alison Sampson, 2020.

Giving our hearts to Jesus

Jesus calls us to give our hearts to him, that his love might shine through us.
A reflection on John 3:1-17 given to Sanctuary, 8 March 2020 © Alison Sampson, 2020.

It's about family violence, but not what you might think

To suggest victims of family violence should 'turn the other cheek' is to distort Jesus' teaching in the most toxic and destructive way. A look at the context of these words, and how they are an invitation to challenge all forms of violence and control, including within the family.
A reflection on Matthew 5:38-48 given to Sanctuary, 23 February 2020 © Alison Sampson, 2020.

We need to talk about hell

Gehenna, or hell, is an abomination to God; "indeed, it did not even enter my mind" (Jeremiah 7:31).
A reflection on Matthew 5:21-37 given to Sanctuary, 16 February 2020 © Alison Sampson, 2020.

The uses and abuses of salt

Don’t be a moron. Be pure salt. And be ready to be sprinkled around.
A reflection on Matthew 5:13-20 given to Sanctuary, 9 February 2020 © Alison Sampson, 2020.

Happy are the ... losers?

Heaven's blessings are not what you might expect.
A reflection on Matthew 5:1-13 given to Sanctuary, 2 February 2020 © Alison Sampson, 2020.