Faith Daily | 15 August 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p570

Almighty God,

you have given your only son

to be for us both a sacrifice for sin

and also an example of godly life:

give us grace that we may always thankfully receive

the benefits of his sacrifice,

and also daily endeavour

to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life;

through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 2: 1-7 MARY, MOTHER OF OUR LORD

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Maggie Woolley

God's timing is always impeccable and this is no exception. To fulfil the prophecy of Micah, Joseph had to return to his ancestral home so that Jesus could be born in Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David. It probably never entered Mary's mind that she would travel far from home so close to her due date, but Caesar Augustus ordered a census and there was a change of plan. Poor Mary! She had to go with Joseph on an arduous trek of over 100 kms. Imagine that long journey (most certainly no first class seats on that donkey) whilst heavily pregnant. It's almost unthinkable. However, It's amazing how God brings it all together in perfect timing, in charge of every detail. In the case of this major event in history, from the moment Mary opened her heart to the Angel Gabriel to agree to be the vessel for the Son of God, to Jesus' eventual arrival in a manger in Bethlehem, it allows us to see God's almighty power of timing. But we don't always see it like that. It's like looking at the back side of a tapestry and only when we turn it over do we see the perfect picture - in every finer detail. What a struggle it is that we are sometimes so immersed in our own plans and instant gratification that we fail to see God's perfect timing - in every finer detail. (Today, 15 August is the day in the church calendar that acknowledges and marks the occasion of the Virgin Mary's bodily ascent to heaven at the end of her life.)

FINAL PRAYER

Give us the patience to wait on Your timing Lord. It may not always be the way we want or expect, but is done with compassion and care in Your perfect way. Help us to wait patiently for You to work in our lives.

Amen.