Thursday 18 February

Today is Thursday the 18 February, in the season of Lent. 

Audrey Assad sings ‘Drawn to You’. 

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. 

Luke 9:22-25

‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’

Then Jesus said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

Today we continue on our Lenten pilgrimage with Jesus to Jerusalem. His invitation to accompany him on the road is risky : what do you make of his opening words to us: ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’? How do these words speak to you today at a time of immense suffering?

During the pandemic you may have experienced many losses… How does it feel when Jesus invites you to “deny” yourself “and take up your cross daily”? What does it stir in you?

Now listen once more as the passage is read again, and ask: “How does this gospel message speak into my Lenten journey that has just begun?”

Finally, try now to gather all the thoughts that have welled up in your heart in this time of prayer, aware of this time of loss and ask God to draw you near to him, now in this moment.

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.