Alison and the whale

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.

Praying for an invasion of light

Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, land of the Eastern Maar nation: Jesus comes to bring light and healing to occupied territories and colonised people.
A riff on Matthew 4:12-23 given to Sanctuary, 26 January 2020 © Alison Sampson, 2020.

Gettin' down and dirty with Jesus

if you want a pure spirituality, uncontaminated by blood and sickness and appetites and conflict and politics and other people, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you want an earthy faith, a real faith, which embraces all our materiality and mess, look to Jesus Christ.
A reflection on Luke 2:1-20 given to Sanctuary, 24 December 2019 © Alison Sampson, Christmas 2019.

Is this the real deal? You decide!

Christ comes in unexpected ways. When we ask if his incarnation is the real deal, he points to the fruits of his ministry, and leaves it to us to decide.
A reflection on Matthew 11:2-11 given to Sanctuary, 15 December 2019 © Alison Sampson, 2019.

An Antidote to Christmas Chaos

The prophet John provides a bracing antidote to consumer Christmas chaos.
A reflection on Matthew 3:1-12 given to Sanctuary, 8 December 2019 © Alison Sampson, 2019.