Holy Week Reflections – Monday 6th April 2020
The audio file of this reflection can be found at https://ucashford.podbean.com
Welcome.
This is the first reflection in this series for Holy Week, written and recorded for use in these strange days in which we find ourselves.
My hope is that through these short daily devotions, we may find another way of worshipping together, even while we are physically apart.
Each day’s reflection will list the set readings for these special days, as the season of Lent heightens its intensity into ‘Passiontide’ and the self-giving of Jesus looms large.
The readings for today are: ISAIAH 42:1-9; PSALM 36:5-11; HEBREWS 9:11-15 & JOHN 12:1-11
You may wish to look these up in your bible and read them through to yourself today.
For now, I’d just like to highlight a verse of the Psalm that stands out for me – verse 7 from Psalm 36:
‘How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.’ (NRSV)
In these days of Covid-19, social-distancing and self-isolation, I find these words of the psalmist, and the idea they convey of God, immensely comforting. God is portrayed as close by and caring, always to be relied upon – like a mother bird holding her chicks near to her heart and sheltered under her wings.
May you know the closeness, love, faithfulness, warmth and protection of God today.
A prayer:
O God, we need you close to us;
as we are distanced from each other, may your love hold us fast.
May each one of us, all those we know and pray for, all those we love dearly
and even the ones we don’t know – be sheltered under your gentle wings of love,
today, tonight and always. AMEN.
I invite you to share the Lord’s Prayer with me as we close this time together:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.