The 3rd Sunday of Lent | Sunday 12 March 2023

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Today is Sunday the 12th of March, beginning the third week of Lent.

Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘As The Deer’.

As the deer panteth for the water

So my soul longeth after Thee

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee

You alone are my strength, my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee

You're my friend and You are my brother

Even though You are a King

And I love You more than any other

So much more than anything

You alone are my strength, my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee

How I long to worship Thee, yeah

You alone are my strength, my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my strength, my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee

I am longing

I am longing

I am longing

Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus.

Exod 17:3-7

But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’ So Moses cried out to the LORD, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ The LORD said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’ Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the LORD, saying, ‘Is the LORD among us or not?’

It might be difficult to choose the most telling phrase in this passage from Exodus. The words paint a scene of utter desperation. It may be God who has called the people out of Egypt but trying to survive desert conditions, without water, is a very immediate, human challenge.

I try to sense the heat, dust, the crying of children and animals, the calling of the elders, short tempers snapping with frustration, that particular sensation of heat that seems to draw moisture from your very bones. What are my feelings as I place myself in the throng of people?

“Why?” An honest question. Can I recall a time when this was my question?

“What shall I do with these people?” Has Moses forgotten that these are not HIS people?

Are there times when I feel burdened by the weight of responsibility or the inability to make things right?

This is also a prayer. “What shall I do with these people?” Hear and see how God responds as we listen to the reading again.

As this time of prayer comes to an end, consider, how is God answering your needs this Lent? Talk to God about anything that arises for you.

You have given all to me,

To You Lord, I return it.

Everything is Yours, do with it what You will.

Give me only Your love and Your grace,

That is enough for me.

Amen.