Wednesday 27 November 2024

Today is Wednesday the 27th of November in the 34th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach sings, ‘Nothing to Fear’. Notice if any fear is lingering within you today and bring this to Jesus as you begin to pray. When you pass through the waters I will be with you And the depths of the river shall not overwhelm When you walk through the fire you will not be burned I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always In the depths of your sorrow I wept beside you When you walked through the shadow I drew you near And yesterday, today, tomorrow, always the same I am the Lord, I am the Lord And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always And there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear There is nothing to fear, nothing to fear For I am with you always What can separate you from My perfect Love What can separate you from My perfect Love What can separate you from My perfect Love Do not fear Do not fear Do not fear 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 opposition to your faith have you experienced? Bring that experience to Jesus now. What do you sense Jesus wants to say to you about such opposition? What opportunities do you have to tell others the good news of Jesus? How do the words and wisdom of Jesus work within you as you do this? As you listen to the reading again, ask the Spirit to bring to mind someone who is currently suffering for their faith. Pray for them. As this time of prayer comes to a close, rest quietly with Jesus who promises that not a hair of your head will perish. 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.