Music Info
Surrender
By Jeff Wahl
A Light in the Darkness | Magnatune
Our Song in the Night
By Bifrost Arts
Lamentations | Bifrost Arts Music
Script
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Today is Thursday the 23 April, the Feast of St George, in the Season of Easter.
Bifrost Arts sing ‘Our Song in the Night’.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.
‘If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, “Servants are not greater than their master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. (John 15:18-21)
Today is the feast of St George, patron of England, of Portugal and of several other countries. His legend speaks of a brave soldier-saint, best known for saving a young woman by slaying a dragon. Later he dies a martyr’s death, and the gospel passage is chosen to respond to that martyrdom. What’s your first reaction to heroic legends like this?
Jesus tells us that anyone who tries to live like he did has to be ready to be harshly treated at times, as he was. Has this ever been true in your own experience? How do you react to it?
Unexpectedly, these times of being misunderstood or even persecuted become opportunities to be most closely identified with Jesus. They are only happening, he tells us, because he has chosen us to be with him. Notice what this promise – or does it sound more like a threat? – stirs up in you.
In the middle of his passage Jesus says “Remember the word that I said to you”. As you listen again, notice what this word, or phrase, is that he thinks it important to remember.
Speak for a moment or two to the one who has “chosen you out of the world” about the challenges of being chosen like this. You might like to talk to the Lord about the challenges in your own life.
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.