And the books were opened

12 Sept 2021 - 16th Sunday after Pentecost - As the Day of Atonement approaches, religious Jews around the world will exchange the greeting “Gmar Chatima Tova", “…may your name be inscribed”, that is may your name be written and sealed in the Book of Life. In the Hebrew calendar, we are currently in the Days of Awe, a time of reflection, repentance, and making amends before the great fast day of Yom Kippur. The purpose of this period is not unlike that of Christian Lent, but the intensity and the outcome are very different. Jewish people hope for a year of blessing if their repentance has been adequate and accepted. Disciples of Jesus understand repentance, coupled with spiritual maturity, to be the way of life that leads to eternal life in the presence of the Lord. Canon Daryl Fenton discusses the great difficulty people today have with spiritual judgement and accountability and explores the practical ways the apostle James offers to ensure one’s name is inscribed. Readings: Proverbs 1:20-33, Psalm 19:7-14, James 1:2-12; Mark 8:27-38 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app. Recording includes cover of "The Law Of The Lord Is Perfect" by Ed Grugor.