“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”    Matthew 6 : 33 – 34

Readings this week Genesis 1 : 1 – 2 : 3; Romans 8 : 18 - 25; Matthew 6 : 25 - 34

Thoughts for this week

Jesus words in our Gospel reading speak very powerfully into our modern lives. The call to ‘Not worry’. So much of our lives is preoccupied with things that could worry us, yet would disappear if we lived more simply. Also Jesus calls us to ‘Look’. To see the flowers and the birds, their variety and majesty in the world around us. Also Jesus calls us to think of each day, and not tomorrow. Each day is a gift, and we can learn to appreciate each moment more fully.

This Sunday is Racial Justice Sunday, a reminder that the Lord’s love spans the diversity of the human race. We each have so much to learn from one another. Without question each life is so precious to Jesus. We live in the aftermath of the hurts of the past. We also live in a world broken by sin, including prejudice, and how we treat other people.

Jesus came to call us to focus on the Father’s heart of love for the world. To step away from all that hurts and damages us in our sin. In becoming human, Jesus embodies the full diversity of human life, and heals and restores our humanity, and our own personal lives when we turn to Him and receive from Him. In Jesus, every life is treasured, full of gift, deeply loved, and full of hope. 

Rev Paul

Collect for Racial Justice Sunday

Merciful God, you are righteous and love justice: stir the hearts of your people that, rejoicing in our diversity, we may repent of the wrongs of the past, and, by your grace, seek the peaceable kingdom of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

We praise the Lord and give thanks …

For those discovering their faith in Jesus

For our Bible studies and home groups

For our caretaking teams who work so hard on Thursday mornings

Prayers for Ordinary Moments have been produced by Our Daily bread Ministries for Lent. Short, inspiring prayers including for when brewing coffee, watching a football game, for travelling, for reading the Bible. Copies are available at the back of St Eds.