This week’s Gospel passage (Matthew 10:40-42) is rendered in “The Message” version of the Bible as:

“Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice.”

“The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice.”, what an encouraging thought. All those small acts of giving and receiving that have gone on in London, Manchester and anywhere else where people are in need, where people are prepared to give even just “a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty”.