Many sparrows

0:06

Lighten Our Darkness

Today is Friday the 16th of October, in the 28th week of Ordinary Time.

The Phoenix Consort sings, ‘Lighten Our Darkness’. The world is full of darkness at the moment. Perhaps you are experiencing darkness in your own life. As you begin to pray today, take a moment to acknowledge any darkness causing despair in your life. Let Jesus listen and comfort you, as you become aware of his kind presence.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;

and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;

for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

3:37

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 12:1-7

Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered in thousands, so that they trampled on one another, [Jesus] began to speak first to his disciples, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

5:56

Such a Light Surrounding

Be Still the Earth

Gathering by the thousands and trampling on one another: can you get a sense for what this would have been like in reality? Imagine the scene.

'What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light.' How do you feel when you hear those words addressed to you? Does it sound like a threat or a promise?

These words of Jesus may be challenging, even frightening - with their talk of darkness and light and killing and fearing and hell - but as you hear them again, listen out for his last words, the 'summing up', the firm message of reassurance that Jesus concludes with.

8:51

Luke 12:1-7

Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered in thousands, so that they trampled on one another, [Jesus] began to speak first to his disciples, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

10:52

Is there any situation in your own life at the moment where your integrity is under threat, where you're in danger of hypocrisy or double standards, or trying to appear different to what you really are? If there is, can you talk to the Lord about it? What might God, who loves you dearly, have to say about it? What help might you want to ask for from God?

13:24

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