16th February: 3 before Lent
online Morning Prayer.
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Jeremiah warns the Jews that in these uncertain times, when the Assyrians were threatening to attack Judah, they must put their trust in God alone if they are to survive.
Thus says the Lord:
Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals
and make mere flesh their strength,
whose hearts turn away from the Lord.
They shall be like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see when relief comes.
They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.
The heart is devious above all else;
it is perverse—
who can understand it?
I the Lord test the mind
and search the heart,
to give to all according to their ways,
according to the fruit of their doings.
Luke 6:17-26
He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
‘But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
‘Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
Something to think about
Luke and Matthew both record an occasion when Jesus addressed a crowd (Matt. 5:1-7:20, Lk.6:20-49). Luke presents the teaching through a series of strong contrasts between those who are blessed by God for their godly deeds, and those whose behaviour is totally self-centred.
Collect
Almighty God, give us reverence for all creation
and respect for every personthat we may mirror your likeness
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Post Communion
God our creator, by your gift
the tree of life was set at the heart of the earthly paradise,
and the bread of life at the heart of your Church:
may we who have been nourished at your table on earth
be transformed by the glory of the Saviour’s cross
and enjoy the delights of eternity;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (25th) Readings:
Genesis 2:4b-9,15-25
Luke 8:22-25
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are sick or suffering, including Tim Sadler, Linda Torr, Margaret Marsden and Nadia, or very elderly, especially Stella Young, Gerald Humphries and Arthur Williams.
The recently bereaved, especially the friends and relatives of Una Ratcliff, Sheila Bull, Stanley Hodge, Valerie Riley, Janet Carrington, Angela Bonning, David Lowe and Patrick Lacey.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, as they face up to the problems of the future, such as the interregnum.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel & Lynda and her support: Simon.