Faith Daily | 1 March 2021

PRAYER of the WEEK Lent Two

Remember, O Lord,

what you have wrought in us

and not what we deserve,

and, as you have called us to your service,

make us worthy of our calling;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen APBA p484

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 6: 36-38

36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37 ‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by Rosemary Bruton

After reading this passage in my old faithful Good News Bible, I read the interpretation from The Message Bible and I really liked the way it was put:

· God is kind, you be kind.

· Don’t pick on people or find their faults, for the same will be done to you.

· Be easy on people and you will find life easy on you.

· Help and give without expecting anything back. You will not regret it.

· Live out your God created identity the way our Father lives towards us. Graciously, generously, even when we are at our worst, God is gracious and generous to us.

Give your life away and it will be given back to you. Given back with bonus and blessing.

I was reminded of the character of Jean Valjean from Les Miserable, when I read these verses. The story set during the very hard times before the French revolution. A time of poverty and crime on the streets of Paris and elsewhere. Valjean is a convict who is eventually freed taking shelter in the Church and then takes off with the Bishop’s silverware.

When arrested by the Gendarmes, the Bishop shows mercy and kindness to him and told the police that Jean Valjean had in fact been given the silver and gives him some more, so he was able to walk free and now has great wealth. The Bishop tells Valjean that his life has been spared by God and to make an honest man of himself. What did Jean Valjean do in turn? Reinvents his life and eventually pays to rescue a young girl Cosette after her mother Fantine dies, and becomes like a good father to her.

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FINAL PRAYER: Sent in by Heather Jones : IN THE WORDS OF POPE FRANCIS

Lord Jesus,

following your example and command,

we pray for our enemies today.

We ask that you would saturate our lives

with your Holy Spirit

and send your love to flow through us.

Forgive us for holding on to anything

that could hinder our prayers.

Give us wisdom as we seek how

to bless, to love, and to pray for our enemies.

We pray you would show them and us mercy,

in knowledge that we were all enemies of God,

before you extended your mercy to us.

We ask this in your holy name.

Amen