Author Archives: bryanmartinlittle
The death of the Queen and the Future of the Church of England
At the end of this period of national mourning for the death of Queen Elizabeth II, I feel weary. Certainly, we parish clergy have been busier than usual – busy making space for others to be less busy. Such is … Continue reading
Living Sacrifices
A sermon preached at St Mary’s Church, Clevedon 23.8.20 ‘I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.’ Romans 8:1 … Continue reading
John’s Pentecost: The Birthday of Forgiveness
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace … Continue reading
How should we behave in lockdown?
This is a reflection written for the East Clevedon churches at the start of Christian Aid Week, 2020, based on John 14:1-14. One of the last major UK televised events before we entered lockdown was the famous dog show … Continue reading
‘Seeing Your Way Out of Worry: Vision as the Healer of Anxiety’
Anxiety is the enemy of vision. But vision is the healer of anxiety. Continue reading
A Bigger Table: A Sermon for All Saints’ Day
In the light of an economics of ‘enough’, the ‘woes’ of Luke 6 take on a different light. They are not the petty vindictive punishments of a God who says ‘I told you so.’ They are the birth pangs of a new community. They are the hunger pangs that precede a new and healthful diet of righteousness. They are the bum notes that all saints play as we learn a new song of sibling-hood – the sound of our final fences falling. Our tears and mourning at heaven’s banquet are but the last regrets of a fading delusion, as Jesus wipes each one from our eyes. Continue reading
Sermon: We are human beings not human doings!
A sermon preached for a service of Holy Communion with baptism; St Mary’s, Clevedon, UK, 21 July 2019 Imagine for a moment you’re sitting in your house when the postman arrives. You hear the rattle of the letterbox and the thump … Continue reading
Running with the Dogs: A Sermon on Jesus and the Syrophoenician Woman
A sermon preached at All Saints, East Clevedon, 9.9.18. by the Rev’d Martin Little. 15th Sunday of Trinity; Readings: Mark 7:24-37; James 2:1-10,14-17; Isaiah 35:4-7a This week I watched a remarkable documentary on BBC 2 called ‘We Are British Jews’. Did … Continue reading
New Poem: Elevation
Another long hiatus in posting here, but it feels right to upload some more poetry. Next Saturday, I will be, God-willing, ordained priest in the Church of England, having spent the last year as a deacon. I’ve written and spoken … Continue reading
A Sermon for Christ the King
Christ the King – A sermon preached at SS Peter and Paul, Weston-in-Gordano, North Somerset at Choral Evensong, 26th November 2017, 6pm. Matthew 25:21-46; Ephesians 1:15-end Today is the feast day of Christ the King, the very end point of … Continue reading
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