Faith Daily | 4 October 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p588

Generous God,

whose hand is open

to fill all things living with plenteousness:

make us ever thankful for your goodness,

and grant that we, remembering the account

that we must one day give,

may be faithful stewards of your bounty;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI 4 October

O God, you ever delight to reveal yourself

to the child-like and lowly of heart:

grant that, following the example of the blessed Francis,

we may count the wisdom of this world as foolishness

and know only Jesus Christ and him crucified,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 12: 22-34

He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Cathy Grant

For me, this passage speaks to our time better than almost any other. There’s so much stress and uncertainty for so many at this time:

When can I visit my ailing Mum/Dad in aged care/other parts of the country?

Will we go into lock-down again this week?

What about my friends and family struggling in NSW and Victoria – I’m really worried about their mental health?

Will I have a job if we have another long lockdown?

How am I going to manage working and home schooling – again?

When will I get to have a holiday – I’m exhausted?

Will we be able to meet as a church community this Sunday- I really need our church family’s love and encouragement?

So many of us are really struggling at the moment. It’s been a long two years.

“Don’t be anxious,” Jesus says. “Your father knows you[r] need….Don’t be afraid little flock.”

As I read these words, I feel a weight lift from my shoulders and a sense of peace settle - the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. God is holding us all in the palm of his hand at this time. He knows us – every hair on our head - and loves us more that we can ever imagine. We can trust that.

Our Lord longs to shower us with grace and new life. We can relax in this knowledge. God, our father, loves to give us good gifts, loves to give us the kingdom, loves to bring his sovereign care and rescue right to our door. Let us treasure that in our hearts – for ourselves and those we love.

FINAL PRAYER:

God of Life,

you are the giver of growth,

the refresher of creation, and the gardener of your vineyard.

Look with love on us and on all your world:

where it is in danger, guard it,

where it grows astray, prune it,

where its growth is stunted, nourish it,

and where it strikes true, strengthen it

so that it may tell of the depth of your love in all the world.

Amen.