Wednesday 25 November

Today is Wednesday the 25 November, in the 34 week of Ordinary Time.

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing: Venite exsultemus Domino.  “Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the God who saves us. Let us come before him giving thanks.  With songs let us hail the Lord.”  As I listen, I become aware that I am in God’s presence right now.  As I come before the Lord, I give thanks for God’s goodness to me, and present myself to him, just as I am.

Today's reading is from the book of the Apocalypse.

Apocalypse 15: 1-4

Then I saw another portent in heaven, great and amazing: seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is ended.

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:
‘Great and amazing are your deeds,
   Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
   King of the nations!
Lord, who will not fear
   and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
   All nations will come
   and worship before you,
for your judgements have been revealed.’

Thanking God is one of the most important things we can do in prayer. Discovering and practising a sincere sense of gratitude for God’s many gifts can change our lives, opening our eyes and hearts to God’s presence in our lives, other people and all of creation.  What do you want to praise and thank God for today?

Sadly our world is filled with great injustices: millions of people living in poverty, without adequate food or education, victims of climate change which they did nothing to cause.  How is God inviting you to respond in gratitude to these situations? 

As you listen to the reading again, what injustices in our world come to mind? Where is God’s will for creation being thwarted?

God’s ways are always “just and true” even though ours are not. Ask for God’s light to see where a relationship of yours is imbalanced. It might be someone you live or work with, or your relationship with the wider world, including the natural world and people in any kind of need.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.  As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.