Faith Daily | 27 October 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p593

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: 31-35

31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Rachel McFadyen

This is one of my favourite images of God: the hen gathering her chicks to keep them safe under her wings. It is such a wonderful feminine image of God, protecting and caring for us, God’s helpless young. I have watched quails in the aviary in my garden and they do just the same – gather their minute fluffy chicks under their wings, keeping them warm and safe, hidden from predators. But the people of Jerusalem, led by their king Herod, would not come to Jesus, and so “their house is forsaken”. For the chicks are only safe if they stay close to the hen and come to her calls, and this the people of Jerusalem would not do.

For us too, Jesus holds out his loving arms to us, so that we will never be ‘forsaken, abandoned’, but first we need to hear God’s call and come close to Jesus. Then we can say “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

FINAL PRAYER Psalm 91: 1-4

Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High:

who abide under the shadow of the Almighty,

They will say to the Lord

‘You are my refuge and my stronghold:

my God in whom I trust.’

For he will deliver you from the snare of the hunter:

and from the destroying curse.

He will cover you with his wings,

and you will be safe under his feathers:

his faithfulness will be your shield and defence.

Amen.