Tuesday 20 May 2023

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Today is Tuesday the 30th of May, in the 8th week of Ordinary time.

Paul Zach, with iAmSon and Jessica Fox, sings, ‘Create in Me’, a setting of Psalm 51. Can you make these your own words today?

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord

Against you only I have sinned

Done evil in your sight

But you have shown me what I've done

With mercy in your eyes

Then washed my shame and guilt away

My weary soul renewed

From all my sinning turn your face

Let me return to you

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord

So I will give you what you ask

A humbled broken heart

A spirit burning down to ash

Within your flame O God

And this will be your mercy Lord

Transforming all of me

Til every act and every word

Your love and glory speaks

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord

Have mercy on me according to your endless love

Have mercy on me according to your endless love

Have mercy on me according to your endless love

Have mercy on me according to your endless love

According to your endless love

Today’s reading is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus.

Ecclesiasticus 35:1-12

One who keeps the law makes many offerings;

one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being.

One who returns a kindness offers choice flour,

and one who gives alms sacrifices a thank-offering.

To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,

and to forsake unrighteousness is an atonement.

Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,

for all that you offer is in fulfilment of the commandment.

The offering of the righteous enriches the altar,

and its pleasing odour rises before the Most High.

The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable,

and it will never be forgotten.

Be generous when you worship the Lord,

and do not stint the first fruits of your hands.

With every gift show a cheerful face,

and dedicate your tithe with gladness.

Give to the Most High as he has given to you,

and as generously as you can afford.

“Be generous when you worship the Lord”. Take a moment to consider your own generosity when worshipping the Lord…What are your generosity levels like today?

“Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford”. How generous do you think God has been to you over your life? How would you describe your own giving in turn?

Now listen once more as the passage is read again. Is there one sentence in particular that really speaks to you today?

If you could take away one thing from this time of prayer, what would it be? Talk to the Lord about it now…

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.