Faith Daily | 27 October 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST Pentecost 21

Almighty and everlasting God,

give to us the increase of faith, hope and love;

and, that we may obtain what you promise,

make us to love what you command;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 13: 22-30

22Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

23Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, 24“Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then in reply he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 26Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27But he will say, ‘I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Kathy Allen

Jesus is on the move and he is moving towards His certain suffering and death. Is it any wonder that Jesus can sometimes seem as if He is impatient or annoyed with people who state that they are believers, but who continue to prevaricate and question every word He utters? Jesus is making it clear that the road to salvation is not easy. It requires effort on the part of each person, not once in a blue moon, but every day. Each of us must look critically into our own hearts, put aside all that is unnecessary and move towards God through Jesus so that the narrow door remains open to us. Time is of the essence. None of us know when Jesus will return.

It is easy to become distracted by not only things, creature comforts, but also ideas of self-advancement and personal power, no matter how small the scope. How much more difficult to put all that aside and try to establish an active, personal relationship with Jesus. He will know us and ask us to join Him. It is not enough for Jesus to just see us around the place.

The message from Jesus is consistent: it is not who you are or what you do but how you respond to Him that matters. I read this recently: Will the saved be few or will the saved be you?

FINAL PRAYER: Breathe On me Breath of God TIS 407 Edwin Hatch, 1835-1889

Breathe on me, breath of God,

fill me with life anew,

that I may love all that you love

and do what you would do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

until my hear is pure,

until with you I will one will –

to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

and all my life refine,

until this earthly part of m e

glow with your fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

so shall I never die,

but live with you the perfect life

in your eternity.

Amen.