Friday 14 July 2023

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Today is Friday the 14th of July, in the 14th week of Ordinary time.

CalledOut Music sings, ‘God Like You’. I enter into prayer, aware of God’s presence and love around me now.

You know what's best for me

You know my every need my Father

You know my heart, and You know it all

I'll never find another God

I could go east, I could go west

But I know I'll never find a God like You

I can turn right, I can turn left

But I know I'll never find a God like You

If there's anything You want me to do

You know I'll do it all for You

'Cause I could go east, I could go west

But I know I'll never find a God like You

What a night, what a night when I found You

What a life that I have in You

I never thought that right now I'd be smiling

And it's all because of You

Lord, You came and You took away

All the hurt of yesterday

I'm grateful, 'cause I'll never find a God like You

Oh, I could go east, I could go west

But I know I'll never find a God like You

I can turn right, I can turn left

But I know I'll never find a God like You

If there's anything You want me to do

You know I'll do it all for You

I could go east, I could go west

But I know I'll never find a God like You

I could go east, I could go west

But I know I'll never find a God like You

I can turn right, I can turn left

But I know I'll never find a God like You

Today’s reading is from the Book of Genesis.

Genesis 46:1-7,28-30

When Israel set out on his journey with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s own hand shall close your eyes.’

Then Jacob set out from Beer-sheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their livestock and the goods that they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.

Israel sent Judah ahead to Joseph to lead the way before him into Goshen. When they came to the land of Goshen, Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to meet his father Israel in Goshen. He presented himself to him, fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, ‘I can die now, having seen for myself that you are still alive.’

At the end of a long family journey is another journey, blessed by God, as all of Joseph’s family travel to Egypt.

The Lord calls to Jacob as he nears the end of his life and Jacob responds, ‘Here I am’.

Do I feel ready to respond in this way when the Lord calls on me?

The Lord reveals that Israel will flourish in Egypt but that they will not stay there.

I imagine a time when I have felt held by the Lord and my life has held promise.

As you listen to the passage again, consider how God offers consolation even in the most difficult times.

As you reflect on this experience of prayer, take a moment in blessing to share your feelings with the Lord.

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.