tears, thursday

Thursday, February 19

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

Opening Prayer: O God. We give ourselves over to your care, trusting only in your infinite mercy and love.  We will continue to give thanks to you, O Lord, for all that we have and all that we are.  We will rest assured in the knowledge that when we cry to you in sadness or in joy you will hear our cry and make reply.  Amen. (A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God by Rueben P. Job, Norman Shawchuck, and John Mogabgab)

                     

Scripture Reading for the Day: Luke 7:36-50

Reading for Reflection:

 

     I would love to have been a fly on the wall, an eyewitness to this extravagant outpouring of sorrow and love.  I would love to have seen her face as she both wept upon and kissed the feet of the Savior.  Surely these were no normal tears.  These tears were an odd combination of the remorse and regret associated with the gravity of sin, coupled with the immense gratitude and affection that comes from the joy and delight of being forgiven.  Because, of course, the gospel is always both.  They cannot be separated, this weeping and kissing.  So as we journey together through these next days and weeks, let us always hold these two things together in perfect harmony.  Let an abundance of tears and an abundance of kisses continually bathe his pierced feet.  Thanks be to God!

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself    

                      

Closing Prayer: Gracious God, you know the sighs confined and hidden within the depths of our hearts. Sighs for which there are often no words.  Do not be far from us, O God, when we cry out unto you.  Hear our prayers today.  Amen. (A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God by Rueben P. Job, Norman Shawchuck, and John Mogabgab)