Sunday 7 April 2024

Today is Sunday 7 April, beginning the 2nd week of Eastertide.

The Kyiv Chamber Choir sing the Creed: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” As I start this prayer today, can I join in with this strong, almost exuberant expression of faith? Can I begin by declaring my faith in my God, my creator, my heavenly Father?

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John.

1 John 5:1-6

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God…” Spend some time reflecting today on your own belief in Jesus… can you draw a line between your belief and your status as a child of God?

“And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world.” How does this verse speak to you today?

“And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.” Have you ever experienced the Spirit doing anything like this for you?

Just listen now as the passage is read once more for you. Is there anything here that leaps out at you? What might God be saying to you, do you think?

Finally, see if you can bring together all the thoughts and feelings that were arising inside you during this time of prayer. Can you turn them into a prayer to 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.