Monday 7 March 2022

Today is Monday the 7th of March, in the first week of Lent.
The Choir of Royal Holloway sing, 'The Mystery of God', by Dan Locklair. As you enter into prayer, reflect on the ways in which the 'mystery of God' plays a part in your faith…

Today's reading is from the book of Leviticus.
Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-14
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD. You shall not defraud your neighbour; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a labourer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling-block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.

We have just now entered the season of Lent; what does this season mean to you? What might you do to make Lent work for you this year? The reading that you have just heard starts with the holiness of God: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy". Then we are given some clues about what holiness looks like:
• Don't deal falsely
• Don't lie
• Don't defraud
• Don't steal
• Pay wages promptly and in full
• Don't mock those who are disabled
What stays with you from these? How does this holiness speak to you?

Now listen as the passage is read again: Is there anything here that might help you on your journey through Lent?

Finally, what thoughts are coming to you now at the end of this period of prayer? Try to turn them into a prayer to the holy God.

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.