Thursday 29 February 2024

Today is Thursday the 29th of February, in the second week of Lent.

The King’s Singers sing Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis. ‘I have never put my hope in any other but in you’. As I begin this time of prayer today, can I speak those words to God? Can I place all my hope, all my trust, all my faith in him?

Spem in alium nunquam habui
Praeter in te, Deus Israel
Qui irasceris et propitius eris
et omnia peccata hominum
in tribulatione dimittis
Domine Deus
Creator caeli et terrae
respice humilitatem nostram
I have never put my hope in any other
but in Thee, God of Israel
who canst show both wrath and graciousness,
and who absolves all the sins
of man in suffering
Lord God,
Creator of Heaven and Earth
Regard our humility




Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 17: 5-10

Thus says the Lord:
Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals
 and make mere flesh their strength,
 whose hearts turn away from the Lord.
They shall be like a shrub in the desert,
 and shall not see when relief comes.
They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness,
 in an uninhabited salt land.
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
 whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
 sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
 and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
 and it does not cease to bear fruit.
The heart is devious above all else;
 it is perverse—
 who can understand it?
I the Lord test the mind
 and search the heart,
to give to all according to their ways,
 according to the fruit of their doings.

In today’s reading, the Prophet Jeremiah presents us with some images that question the state of our hearts.

We hear that those whose hearts are turned away from the Lord are like shrubs in the desert, in a parched place, in uninhabited salt land.

Can you identify with this image, perhaps from past experience, or maybe this describes how you are feeling now?

The second scenario shows a picture of those who trust in the Lord, who are like trees planted by water, sending out roots, with green leaves, always bearing fruit.

Take a moment to talk with the Lord about which of these scenarios you feel you most identify with.

Perhaps you know what it is like to regularly go between the two pictures in your spiritual life. What causes you to become dry?

As you listen to the reading again, notice which word or image most challenges you.

‘I the Lord test the mind and search the heart.’

As you approach the end of this time of prayer, spend some time with the Lord…you may like to offer your own heart and mind to be tested.

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.