Dear friends in Christ,

The Gospel of John was once described as a waterhole that elephants can swim in, and paddling pool for little children.

During Lent the gospel readings are drawn from John’s Gospel, mostly encounters of Jesus with people – religious, outsiders, maimed, stinking of death – and vivid, striking metaphors about the Spirit of God.

In the Resource Centre there are many good books available to borrow. One is “The Fourth Gospel: tales of a Jewish mystic” by John Shelby Spong. He is a pastor-teacher, a provocateur and a deep reader of the Bible. He began studying the Fourth Gospel, almost despite his misgivings, for it has often been interpreted an anti-Semitic. Like all of Jack Spong’s books it has his passion and personality deeply imprinted in its pages.

If you are interested in reading John’s Gospel, and having a thoughtful, engaging commentary this is well worth your while to take up, and read!

There are other many good books on this gospel, but Spong’s energy, ability to communicate in everyday language and sheer fascination with this ancient gospel and the symbols within its pages are worth your time. He says in his first chapter “John’s gospel is about life – expanded life, abundant life, and ultimately eternal life – but not in the typical manner these words have been understood religiously.”

As we journey through this Lent – this season of the Cross – it is also about life saying yes to God, and no to Self.

May we be blessed and disturbed in our life together,

Rev David Carter