Thursday 30 July 2020

Today is Thursday the 30 July, in the 17th week of Ordinary Time.  

Checko Ankrah sings ‘Make Me Like You’. Can you make this your prayer today? That you can be molded, shaped and worked by God, the potter, our Creator…  

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah.  

Jeremiah 18:1-6  

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done?’ says the Lord. ‘Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.’  

When you watch a potter at work, it can look almost like magic. A lump of wet clay turns swiftly into a shapely vessel. Take a moment to watch that happening before your mind’s eye.  

But if the clay is off-centre, the vessel will quickly collapse. The potter can only start again. Watch that happening too, in your imagination.  

This, Jeremiah is told, is how God works with us. Each of us is moulded and re-shaped by God. Where do you recognise that pattern in your own life?  

As the passage is repeated, ask yourself what God is saying by showing Jeremiah the potter at work.  

Respond in your own words to the Lord who is shaping your own life into something beautiful for God.

Using the Suscipe Prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola:

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.