The following piece was first written for the June 28, 2026 pew sheet at St Augustine’s Anglican Church. I share it here again in the hope that it may continue to encourage and bless.
This Sunday, as part of our series 'Being the Body of Christ,' we reflect on the theme 'A Community of Grace.' Our readings from Genesis 50:15–21 and Matthew 18:21–35 remind us that grace is not simply something we receive from God; it is also something we are called to extend to one another. In Genesis 50, we encounter one of the most moving moments in the life of Joseph. Many years earlier, his brothers had betrayed him, sold him into slavery and caused him immense suffering. Yet through God's providence, Joseph was raised to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. Humanly speaking, he had every opportunity to seek revenge. Instead, he chose forgiveness. He reassured his fearful brothers, provided for them and spoke kindly to them. Joseph recognised that God had been at work even through painful circumstances. His response is a powerful example of grace in action. Jesus' parable in Matthew 18 teaches a similar lesson. A king graciously forgives an enormous debt that his servant could never repay. Yet that same servant refuses to forgive a much smaller debt owed to him by a fellow servant. The contrast is striking. Having received mercy, he failed to show mercy. Jesus reminds us that those who have experienced God's forgiveness are called to become people of forgiveness and grace themselves. A healthy church is a community shaped by this grace. None of us is perfect. We all need God's mercy, and we all need to learn to extend patience, kindness, forgiveness and understanding to one another. This is what it means to be the Body of Christ. This Sunday is also a special occasion as our English and Mandarin congregations gather for a combined service. Though we come from different backgrounds, cultures and languages, we are one in Christ. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the unity God has given us and to express grace, love and fellowship across our congregations. Finally, thank you to everyone who participated in the Parish Mission Action Plan survey and workshop discussions. The Review Team has now begun considering the valuable feedback received as we work towards drafting a new Mission Action Plan for our church. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment as this work progresses.
