Wednesday 21 February 2024

Today is Wednesday 21st February, in the first week of Lent.

The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Laetetur cor quaerentium:
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened, seek his face always. Entering into prayer today, I too am seeking the Lord, seeking his face, looking for the signs of his presence in my life, gently guiding me in truth and peace and love.

Laetetur cor quaerentium Dominum:
quaerite Dominum, et confirmamini:
quaerite faciem eius semper.
Confitemini Domino, et invocate nomen ejus:
annuntiate intergentes opera eius.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 11: 29-32

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgement with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

“[This generation] asks for a sign.” Do you ever find yourself asking God for a sign?

How is Jesus a sign for you in your life? Is this something that others can see in you?

Now listen as the passage is read for you once more. What do you think that it might be saying to you in this season of Lent?

Finally, can you bring together all the thoughts and emotions that this passage has aroused in you? Can you turn them into a prayer to God? Or to Jesus?

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.
Amen.