Ragamuffin ramblings

Mark 10:17 - 27 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 18 ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good – except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honour your father and mother.”’ 20 ‘Teacher,’ he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’ 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked round and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’ 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jes...

I read a quote the other day, you know the ones that people have on their fridges? It read, "The fondest memories are made gathered around the table."   The power of simple table is often overlooked and neglected. During lockdown it's absence has probably been the greatest battle to overcome. By the way, I totally agree with that quote...my fondest moments have been made around a table as well as my most painful ones too. Usually pain flows from a table that has been created to reinforce who's 'in' and who's 'out' and boy have I had a few of those over the last few years.   I can't remember who said it but I do recall the quote, "If you've not been invited to the table it's usually because you're on the menu."   Being a divorced former church leader who decided to live rather than die has provided a rich menu for many. I remember as a small boy the laughter, the jokes, the stories that used to fly around as my older br...