While everyone was marvelling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.  Luke 9 : 43 45

Readings this week 1 Kings 19 : 5 – 16, 19 - end; Galatians 5 : 1, 13 - 25; Luke 9 : 43 – 62

Thought for this week

In our Gospel reading today Jesus has a great sense of urgency. Jesus knows it His time to go to Jerusalem. To enter the confrontation and ordeal that will lead to the offer of salvation for all people. He knows His journey to the Cross will change everything in our relationship with God and brings us into a new age of the Lord’s love and welcome.

This is Jesus’ mission. To bring forgiveness and a new beginning. Yet in this mission Jesus calls His disciples to go with Him. He calls all who will follow, including us. All who will lay aside distractions and other demands, however worthy.

One of the biggest privileges we have each day is how to use our time. We are given this precious gift each day. The potential to use our time to bring Jesus’ life to others, to show they are precious to the Lord, to reveal Jesus’ Kingdom in our lives, to pray for the Lord’s presence and His hope.

Jesus knows the frustrations and distractions of every day. He came to share our lives with its times of joy as well as it’s times of hardship, and the times of waiting. Jesus calls each of us to fix our eyes on Him. To grow in His love. To live knowing that this now is the time of His Kingdom, the time of His hope. 

Rev Paul

Prayers for this week, on the theme of discipleship, from Christians long ago :

Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way.
What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand Than if a host did round me stand.
(Columba, c.521 - 597)

Lord, thou hast given us thy Word for a light to shine upon our path;
grant us so to meditate on that Word, and to follow its teaching,
that we may find in it the light that shines more and more until the perfect day; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Jerome, c 342 - 420)

Jesus, my feet are dirty. Come even as a slave to me, pour water into your bowl, come and wash my feet. In asking such a thing I know I am overbold, but I dread what was threatened when you said to me, “If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.” Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.

 (Origen, c. 185–254)