Wednesday 29 November 2023

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Today is Wednesday 29 November, in the 34th week of Ordinary time.

Josh Garrels sings, ‘Fear Thou Not’.

Fear thou not

For I am with thee

Be not dismayed

For I am thy God

And I will strengthen thee

Yeah, I will help thee

And I will uphold you

With the right hand of my righteousness

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 21:12-19

‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So, make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.

What must the disciples be feeling when they hear these words of Jesus? Sit with them, support them, in their deep humanity for a while.

In absorbing the awful truth of their future careers, do you think they can accept, believe in, rest in the promise of the Lord?

As the passage is read again, try and hear Jesus’ words from his own point of view. In many ways he’s foretelling the outplaying of his own passion and death. How must he be feeling in the pit of his stomach? Is he trusting His own Father, leaning into God, do you think?

Speak with the Lord now. Perhaps you’re supporting someone in just this position. Perhaps you are in a situation yourself of serving the Lord under direct, deeply painful opposition. Let God know exactly how you are feeling. Know that he has been there. He will understand.

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.