Faith Daily | 12 November 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST

Blessed Lord,

you have caused all holy Scriptures to be written

for our learning:

grant that we may so hear them,

read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them,

that, by patience and the comfort of your hold word,

we may embrace and ever hold fast

the blessed hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 17: 26-37

26Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30—it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. 32Remember Lot’s wife. 33Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.’*37Then they asked him, ‘Where, Lord?’ He said to them, ‘Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.’

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: by Rev’d Graham

In the previous passage, Jesus has indicated that the kingdom of God is present in all that there is about people and among people including us. The focus of today’s passage is the need for the disciples – and we need not forget that we are called to be disciples – to be prepared for the return of Jesus in whatever form it may be.

Together with the disciples, we are beware that, while we may have everyday concerns, they do not replace active, personal waiting as we go about our activities including loving service. Other calls include renouncing attachment to possessions, as well as being prepared to face opposition and even persecution for our belief in the necessity to follow Jesus’ example.

During the past two years, no doubt we wished that we had never heard of Covid, and lamented the discomforts and unpleasantries that have been associated with it. But on the other side of the coin, there have been some positive outcomes which indicate a greater awareness of God’s presence with us even if that awareness is not expressed. For many there has been an opportunity, with what seems like more time available, to reflect, even to think deeply on the meaning of life. Also, many have realised the need to care for others, even if physical contact has been limited.

Recently, I read a sentence of ten two-letter words I believe can inspire each of us to go forward in the faith of Christ and with confidence to overcome any hesitations we have in answering God’s call to us:

If it is to be, it is up to me.

FINAL PRAYER: ‘A new creed’ United Church of Canada. From Bread of Tomorrow, ed. Janet Morley.

We are not alone, we live in God’s world.

We believe in God:

who has created and is creating,

who has come in Jesus,

the Word made flesh,

to reconcile and make new,

who works in us and others

by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be the church:

to celebrate God’s presence,

to love and serve others,

to seek justice and resist evil,

to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,

our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,

God is with us.

We are not alone.

Thanks be to God.

Amen.