chosen by God, day 1

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

Opening Prayer:
Almighty God, you have created us, called us, chosen us to be your people.  We wait now to receive your word of guidance and blessing.  Grant unto us ears to hear, eyes to see, and faith to respond to your love and leadership.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen. (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants by Rueben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck)

Psalm for the Week: Psalm 135

Scripture for the Day: Matthew 20:1-16

Reading for Reflection:

     “Come here,” said the Lion.  And she had to.  She was almost between its front paws now, looking straight into its face.  But she couldn’t stand that for long; she dropped her eyes.

     “Human Child,” said the Lion.  “Where is the Boy?”

     “He fell over the cliff,” said Jill, and added, “Sir.”  She didn’t know what else to call him, and it sounded cheek to call him nothing.

     “How did he come to do that, Human Child?”

     “He was trying to stop me from falling, Sir.”

     “Why were you so near the edge, Human Child?”

     “I was showing off, Sir.”

     “That is a very good answer, Human Child.  Do so no more. And now” (here for the first time the Lion’s face became a little less stern) “the Boy is safe.”  I have blown him to Narnia.  But your task will be the harder because of what you have done.”

     “Please, what task, Sir?” said Jill

     “The task for which I called you and him here out of your own world.”

     This puzzled Jill very much.  “It’s mistaking me for someone else,” she thought.  She didn’t dare to tell the Lion this, though she felt things would get into a dreadful muddle unless she did.

     “Speak your thought, Human Child,” said the Lion.

     “I was wondering—I mean—could there be some mistake?  Because nobody called me and Scrubb, you know.  It was we who asked to come here.  Scrubb said we were to call to—to Somebody—it was a name I wouldn’t know—and perhaps the Somebody would let us in.  And we did, and then we found the door open.”

     “You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,” said the Lion.

     “Then you are Somebody, Sir?” said Jill

     “I am.”  (The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself

Song for the Week: Jesus You Are Lord

Jesus you are Lord.  Jesus you are holy.

Jesus you are Lord.  Jesus you are holy.

And I praise your name

And I praise your name
For you are Lord.  You are Lord
For you are Lord.  You are Lord

Jesus precious Lord, send your Holy Spirit.

Jesus precious Lord, send your Holy Spirit

And I praise your name
And I praise your name
For you are Lord.  You are Lord.
For you are Lord.  You are Lord.


Closing Prayer:
You, O Lord, are the fountain of life, and the source of all goodness; You made all things and filled them with Your blessing.  Thanks be to God.  Amen. (Venite by Robert Benson)