John Hebenton's Podcast

John explores the relationship between John and Jesus, and talks about taking the axe to the roots of our identity – what shapes our lives and give our lives meaning. He suggests that this is about us needing to be rid of those elements that lead us away from God’s generosity, peace and goodness.John finishes by inviting those listening to take time at the end of each day to give thanks for ways God brought peace and hope into your day, and to reflect on the roots that might help you to live peace.

The first Sunday in Advent is about Hope. This Sunday we bless our Nativity sets as symbols of hope. We will hear the story of St. Francis and the first nativity crib at Greccio, and then wonder about hope.

John explores what Luke suggests are the marks of Jesus Kingshipwhat does this tell us about the nature of Godwhat does this mean for how we exercise leadership, and what we look for in leadersoffers Saints like Hilda of Whitby as an example of leadership

How should we respond to events here and in the world that cause us anger, fear, despair? Jesus in Luke says not by focussing on these things, good or bad, but on the activity of God in which we are involved. That is how we respond to a Trump PresidencyOn Remembrance Sunday – what does all this have to offer?

This week our Ministry Educator, Deborah Broome preached.This is what she wrote for our pew sheet about the theme."Haggai's prophecies are set in the post-exilic period during the reign of Darius. The work had stalled because of discouragement; Haggai's prophecies encouraged them to resume the work by reminding them that God was with them. Don’t get paralysed by the past, remember that God holds the future. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians had addressed concerns that Christ would never return. Now people thought that he would appear at any second—but no one knows the timing of Christ's return except Christ himself. The author thanks God for those who are faithful: God chose them to be forerunners of others who will come later, through being set apart through the Holy Spirit and through their faith. Sadducees were known for not believing the Resurrection; so the question seems designed to draw Jesus into their old argument with the Pharisees. Jesus uses the hypothetical questio

Was Zacchaeus already giving half his income to the poor, or was he going to give half his income because of what Jesus says to him. Both work. If he was already, then the issue is not that he was corrupt – as we assume, but that those he lived among assumed he was corrupt and a sinner – like we still do and Jesus saw who he really was. How do our assumptions blind us to the saints living around us?On All Saints/All Souls – how do we honour those we grieve?

How often do we join the Pharisee and give in to the temptation that we have earned our salvation thanking God for our goodness? How often do we stand with the tax collector knowing we have nothing to offer, trusting in God’s deep love and thanking God for God’s goodness?

Do we pray without ceasing? what is it we pray for? and why do we pray – so that God will fix it, or something else? John explores what it means to pray unceasingly for justice, and how that prayer changes us to be people of justice.

What does it mean to increase our faith? Is this a real question? What is it we have faith in God to do? Fix it? Be with us in the midst of life?

Some thoughts on Pet Sunday as we celebrate St. Francis of Assisi.

John explores how this story (Luke 16:19-31) relates to a number of stories about humility and chastity – seeing others as belonging to God and not for use in our quest for self-fulfilment. He invites people to examine their own attitudes individually and as a church

John talks about how these are stories of the importance of celebrating together rather than stories about the need to repent. He then invites people to bring that sense of joy to the Eucharistic table and their lives.

A reflection to help people reflect on the healing of the stooped woman (Luke 13: 10-17); where they are in this story, and how this story speaks to their story.

This the Bishops sermon on our celebration of St. George and of being the Anglican Parish of Gate Pa for 54 years.

John explores the importance of the word “has” in our understanding of the Kindgom of God

John explores how where we stand affects how we read this story and then explores some different ways of reading this story bringing it back to ‘how do we honour God’s name?”

John explores the Good Samaritan story – saying that it asks who our neighbour is; and both who am I willing to be a neighbour to and who am I willing to let be a neighbour to me?

John explores this central scripture for Franciscanism and looks at why Christianity is a communal religion, as opposed to not being about me and God

John explores what harvest festival is about, linking it with climate change and land and water degradation, and all that with Jesus' sense of honesty and urgency

Who is a good citizen? Was Elijah? Or Paul or Jesus? John explores todays readings wondering where they nudge us to as we seek to be good citizens.