“How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing”. Luke 13 : 34

Reading for this week : Luke 13 : 31 - 34

Thought for the week

In our Gospel reading Jesus laments over Jerusalem. The holy city, the place long associated with the Lord’s love for His people and His commitment to them. Yet for so long the people have turned their hearts away from Him. While He longed to protect them and cover them with His love, the people have followed their own way, even when the Lord Himself has come to them in Jesus.

The cities of Ukraine are very much on our hearts and in our prayers this week. There is now constant bombardment and indiscriminate danger to civilians and soldiers alike.

Yet while Jesus longs for protection for the city, He does not seek protection for Himself. Jesus journeys to Jerusalem knowing He will be arrested, and crucified. Jesus’ concern is only to fulfil the purposes of the Lord, and to bring salvation and hope to the whole of humanity.

We pray and live in that hope today, that Jesus has won for us. Hope that cost Him everything. Hope that comes from His incredible love for us, and His promise never to abandon humanity, but to stay with us, no matter how far we stray. This is the hope we have through Jesus’ Cross and Resurrection. This is our hope today.

Rev Paul

A Prayer for this week

Almighty God,

by the prayer and discipline of Lent

may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings,

and by following in his Way

come to share in his glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen