Lent 2023 – Day 22 – Luke 14 v 25-34

Welcome to our Daily reflections for Lent.

We have provided a number of ways of using these reflections.

• You can listen to it in podcast style by clicking on the first audio file. (approx 18 minutes);
• You can listen to the reflection and the prayers with a shortened length for personal prayer (approx 6 minutes);
• You can read your own version of the Bible and then listen to the reflection, play the hymn in the embedded YouTube clip and then listen to the prayer section;
• You can choose to just read through it and ignore the audio files; or
• any combination of the above.

However you choose to use them we hope you will find them helpful and thought provoking.

Full Audio of today’s reflection. – will be added later in the week

Read Luke Chapter 14 verses 25-34. In your own preferred version. The audio uses the NIV.

Link to the Bible Gateway NIV version (Opens in a new tab)

Audio of reflection

“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

I wonder if we have grand plans and visions for our own lives and for our churches?

I hope that we do for it is in those visions and aspirations that we find God. Today’s call is to really consider the cost of being a disciple of Jesus. The constant assessment of what we are and are planning to do as individuals and especially as a church.

Whilst we do need to plan and prepare perhaps we are often guilty of planning and preparing too much. So much so that we never actually start whatever it is we were planning. Sometimes we are tempted to top up the resources we need as we plan to give ourselves some contingency and that is a good thing to do but maybe not to think we need fifty or a hundred percent more than we really need.

We also need to be realistic about what we are able to achieve and whilst we may want to build something magnificent possibly something simple may be just as effective or even more effective.

In an earlier reflection I spoke of the Sagrada Familia. Construction began in 1882 and is not expected to be completed until 2026. Gaudi, the architect, took the view that God was not in a hurry! It is, as I said, a magnificent place of worship but a prefabricated tin chapel constructed over a weekend is, in my mind, as magnificent a place. For it is there that we go to worship God.

The passage also spoke to me not about the cross that we have to carry whatever that cross may be but rather of the fact that we need to pick it up and carry it to allow us to follow Jesus. All of these things are active commitments to our calling as disciples.

Hymn: Singing the Faith –  443 “Open our eyes Lord”

 

Contemplation Words

“And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Let us pray together.

Contemplative Prayer

Think of the words in order to understand context and meaning, Feel the meaning of the words with and in your heart, Pray, using the words, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers. Listen for God’s voice in the quiet of your prayers. Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.

Twitter Prayer

Lord, in everything I do for you may my plans be both ambitious and realistic. Amen

Full Prayer

Loving  God, we thank you that we can worship you in every aspect of our lives and in every place we find ourselves. In the wonder of creation, in the magnificence of a great cathedral, in the comfort of our own churches with our friends an in the quiet of our own homes, as we come in the quiet peace to sit at your feet.