Lent 5

Lectionary Reading 29 March   Lent 5  

Read Ezekiel 37:1-14“Can these bones live? O Lord you know!” This is a great word of encouragement in its setting. The nation had been virtually destroyed and all hope of ever establishing a nation state again seemed all but lost: then comes this amazing prophecy. Bone to its bone and flesh with godly life from the four winds. It is a great word of promise and a building block for the growing belief that the Lord, the great Creator would re create a new nation of Israel. Yes the nation would live but more importantly they would know that it was the Lord who had achieved this amazing turnaround. As this is being written there is the image of people fighting over toilet paper in a supermarket with a steady supply of stock of every description not just toilet paper. It seems such a timely reading as we approach Easter and remember the promise of new life that the Easter story presents. Our world is in turmoil with the coronavirus threat affecting many aspects of daily life. In that present scenario these ancient words seem to speak clearly to us. Of course we know that this threat will pass whether we gather toilet paper or not but will we learn anything from it? The fear and panic that is causing people to do irrational things reminds us that we have lost the understanding of a Creator who both guides and protects. As we read this passage today it is good to remember that the future is always in God’s hands and we are to trust in God for the future. By all means take precautions and gather basic provisions but at the same time recognise that God is the one who guides us most surely into the future. Life has always been a gift which we need to cherish but let us thank God for it and be at peace.

Prayer. Holy Lord to you alone will I lift up my life, the essence of my very being are your gift to me and for this I thank you. As I come to you in prayer I give you all thanks and praise for you lead me day by day as the psalmist says by pools of water and near to green pastures. So in a world shaken by the realisation of our mortality I pray, restore my soul and spirit that refreshed in you I may find a new confidence for daily living. I pray not only for myself but for all who at this time are afraid of what lies ahead. Strengthen those who are in despair, be with those who are sick and empower those who are working in the many different occupations that provide support. For all of us, may we find renewed confidence in your providential care, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Read Psalm 130

The Psalmist’s cry is “out of the depths”. Sometimes in life the stuff that is going on both around us and within us can be overwhelming and just like the state before creation, it can seem like darkness covers the face of the deep.(Genesis 1:1) It is that situation the Psalmist faces yet hidden within the cry is the understanding that God is there and that God will listen, the Divine ear will be attentive. With that in mind the Psalmist moves along to place thought and trust in something outside himself a waiting on the Lord to respond. This is not a passive waiting but waiting with the expectation that God will act on his behalf: That sense of longing for God’s action is heightened by thinking that the situation is like a sentry  waiting for the watch to end which will mean a return to the warmth and safety of the barracks. So for us as we cry out there is this sense of hope and trust in what God can and will do on our behalf. That God can bring us to a better place and so filled with confidence the Psalmist looks to the future with renewed confidence. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. Psalm 130:7 NRSV 

Prayer. Come among us gracious God. Breathe new life into our souls. Revive our spirits with your eternal truths and restore in us the beauty of your image. Open your word to us that we might know the truth and be set free. Open our eyes so that we may see you present in every situation of life. By your presence refresh our hearts that we may be filled with your love and give to you true praise and thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.