Holy Week Reflections – Wednesday 8th April 2020

The audio file of this reflection can be found at https://ucashford.podbean.com

Welcome.

This is the third reflection in this series for Holy Week.

The readings for today are: ISAIAH 50:4-9a; PSALM 70; HEBREWS 12:1-3 & JOHN 13:21-32

You may wish to look these up in your bible and read them through to yourself today.

There is much in all these readings but I’d like to highlight a bit in John 13. Jesus has just shared supper with his disciples, all of them, and washed their feet, all of them. Then he becomes troubled as he talks about his impending betrayal. As Jesus hands Judas a piece of bread indicating that it is Judas that will betray him, he says (vs.27):

“Do quickly what you are going to do.” (NRSV)

 

Jesus knew that Judas would betray him and yet he shared supper with him, washed his feet and seems to give Judas the encouragement (blessing even?) to play his part in his approaching death. There are many times when we fail or betray God; these words of Jesus reassure us that, even if we do let him down, he always loves us and will still include us, share with us, serve us and give his life for us.

Amazing, isn’t it!

A prayer:

God of abundant grace, and patience and love,

we marvel at your giving to us and for us.

We fail, time and again;

yet you are constant in your resolve to love us, support us, give us – everything.

We are blown away by your compassion and mercy.

May these gifts, so generously given, take hold in our hearts

and show themselves in our lives. 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.