Wednesday 7 August 2024

Today is Wednesday 7 August in the 18th week of Ordinary Time.

Josh Garrels sings, ‘Steadfast’. What word would you use to describe God today as you enter into prayer?

I will build my house
Whether storm or drought
On the rock that does not move
I will set my hope
In your love, O Lord
And Your faithfulness will prove
You are steadfast, steadfast
You are steadfast, steadfast
By the word You spoke
All the starry host
Are called out by name each night
In Your watchful care
I will rest secure
As You lead me with Your light
You are steadfast, steadfast
You are steadfast, steadfast
I will not trust in the strength of kings
On Your promise I will stand
I will shout for joy, I will raise my voice
Hallelujah to the Lamb!
You are steadfast, steadfast
You are steadfast, steadfast
In the moment of emptiness
All was fulfilled
In the hour of darkness
Your light was revealed
In the presence of death
Your life was affirmed
In the absence of holiness
You are still God
You are steadfast, steadfast
You are steadfast, steadfast




Today’s reading is from the Prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 31:1-7

At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.
Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel!
Again you shall take your tambourines,
and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant,
and shall enjoy the fruit.
For there shall be a day when sentinels will call
in the hill country of Ephraim:
‘Come, let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God.’
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
‘Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.’

This is a lovely passage, the glimpse of a glorious future when Israel might at last return from their experience of exile. How would you describe the mood of this passage?

Is there a single word or phrase you heard in this passage that, for you, describes what God is up to?

Now listen once more as the passage is read again. Does anything really strike you this time?

Finally, look back over the feelings and moods that you have experienced during these moments, and try to 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.