Mission Sunday | The 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today is Sunday the 24 October, Mission Sunday, beginning the 30th week of Ordinary time. 

Molly Parden, with Bifrost Arts, sings a setting of Psalm 126. 

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah. 

Jeremiah 31:7-9

For thus says the Lord:

Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,

   and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;

proclaim, give praise, and say,

   ‘Save, O Lord, your people,

   the remnant of Israel.’ 

See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,

   and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,

among them the blind and the lame,

   those with child and those in labour, together;

   a great company, they shall return here. 

With weeping they shall come,

   and with consolations I will lead them back,

I will let them walk by brooks of water,

   in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;

for I have become a father to Israel,

   and Ephraim is my firstborn. 

‘With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back’… This is a wonderful song for the vulnerable ……. that is, for us all.  Can you include yourself in this band of people led by God?  Can you bring along someone you love who is hurting?  

There’s movement.  A journey.  From one ‘land’ to another.   From afar to nearby.  There’s a great returning.  A leading back on a straight path.  By refreshing brooks of water. There are sounds of singing and joyful shouting.  It’s noisy! How do you imagine this scene? How does it sound? 

As you listen to the passage again, place yourself and those around you, in all your vulnerabilities, back in the scene. 

As this time of prayer comes to an end, talk to God, as one friend to another.  Allow the vulnerability of Christ Himself into your prayer.  And give thanks.

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.