Friday 7 February 2025

Today is Friday the 7th of February in the 4th week of Ordinary Time. The Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Walk With Me’. Let us lead with patience, with a gentle word Bearing every burden, laying down the old hurt When our feet are stumbling and the climb is steep All you people of good will, would you walk with me Would you walk with me through the wilderness When we cannot see through our differences When the dust has settled and the votes are cast Would you walk with me? Let us lead with kindness, with a listening ear Hearing every story, laying down our old fears Though our hearts are broken and the pain runs deep All you people of good will, would you walk with me? Would you walk with me through the wilderness When we cannot see through our differences When the dust has settled and the votes are cast Would you walk with me? Today’s reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. Hebrews 13:1-8 Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’ Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. In today’s reading the writer of Hebrews gives advice to those in the service of God. Reflect now on each of these suggestions, with a short pause after each one. Notice if a particular phrase stands out to you, as you reflect on your service and prayer for others. Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers. Remember those who are in prison. Those who are being tortured. Let marriage be held in honour. Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be content with what you have. Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you. Notice which of these instructions gives you peace. Notice which of these causes discomfort. Offer your responses to the Lord now, who sees you and loves you. Finally receive these words as if the Lord himself is beside you, blessing you: ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ 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.