Friday 17 February 2023

Today is Friday the 17th of February, in the 6th week of Ordinary time.



Antoine Bradford sings Coram Deo (‘in the presence of God’). How have you known the presence of God on your journey of faith?

Time and time again
I know that I've seen Your hands
Holy and holding me up
Again and again
And through all the ups and the downs
Thorny and golden crowns
Faithful You've always been (You've always been)
My heart sings in wonder
And I can't help but say
Lord, You are everything to me
Jesus, You are everything to me (You are, You are, You are)
In You I have my being
And Your love's a living stream
Constant and overflowing
And it satisfies all of my longings
My heart sings in wonder, oh-oh
And I can't help but say
Lord, You are everything to me
Jesus, You are everything (You are, You are, You are)
In You I have my being
All my joy is found in chasing You
And I'll chase You till I have more of You
All my joy is (You're my treasure, my being, God)
Found in chasing You (You're my portion forever)
And I'll chase You (You're my treasure, my being, God)
Till I have more of You (You're my portion forever)
All my joy is (You're my treasure, my being, God)
Found in chasing You (You're my portion forever)
And I'll chase You (You're my treasure, my being, God)
Till I have more of You (You're my portion forever)

Today’s reading is from the Book of Genesis.

Genesis 11:1-9

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.’ And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.’ The LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the LORD said, ‘Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.’ So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

In today’s passage, I hear how my forebears attempted to build a tower to reach heaven, wanting to make a name for themselves by exercising great power, and trying to do that which is impossible. I hear too how God thwarted their plans, demonstrating that God has ultimate power over creation. How do I imagine the story unfolding?


In what ways do I try to make a name for myself?

Where and how do I exercise power?

Who exercises power over me?

I share with God any concerns I have about the exercise of power in my life or community.

I listen for God’s guidance.

As the passage is read again, I ponder what it might be like if the whole world spoke the same language.


In the remaining moments, I give thanks for the gift of Jesus, who was born so I might be united with others, with Creation and with God.


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.