Faith Daily |17 July 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p561

O Lord, we beseech you

mercifully to receive the prayers of your people

who call upon you,

and grant that they may both perceive and know

what things they ought to do,

and also may have grace and power

faithfully to fulfill them;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 12: 14-21

14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. 15When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, 16and he ordered them not to make him known. 17This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 18God,

without you we are not able to please you;

mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things

direct and rule our hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19He will not wrangle or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory. 21And in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Helen Menzies

In the preceding verses so many things Jesus's did made the Pharisees furious. Often he turned their words back on them - isn't a human being more important than an animal, however important to them.

They were conspiring to destroy him so he moved on, not in fear, because he continued his healing ministry, but because his time had not yet come. He therefore admonished them not to talk about it even though those healed and all who travelled with him were aware of his power and care.

The beautiful words from Isaiah underline the link between the OT and the NT. Jesus the chosen servant with the spirit upon him will not be heard until the appointed time when justice is fulfilled at the Cross and it is for all not just the chosen.

In “The Message” translation the heading before these verses is of Jesus being in charge.

May we behave in our lives today that this is evident to those we meet.

FINAL PRAYER: Final prayer APB 464.

God,

without you we are not able to please you;

mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things

direct and rule our hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.