Lent 2023 – Day 26 – Luke 16 v 16-31

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.

Read Luke Chapter 15 verses 16-31. 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

“the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached.”

When I first jotted down my initial thoughts having read the passage. I wrote down “I told you so or I told you that would happen”. Which would have made for a very short reflection for the day.

I am sure, like me, that you had parents or friends who would offer sound advice on the likely outcome of an activity. Which you, like me, chose to ignore “knowing” that what we intended to do would turn out alright. Only to have the predicted disaster happen. Most of the time we restrain ourselves from these words but once in a while we just cannot help saying “I told you that was what would happen”. In this story Jesus is pointing out that throughout history, by the patriarchs, the prophets and now himself those warnings have been given.

I have been fascinated by the rise in “belief perseverance”. That is the situation where someone continues to hold a belief despite there being new evidence which firmly contradicts it. Indeed the more it is proven to be incorrect the firmer the belief becomes. Perhaps the partygate hearing is ringing in my ears as I write.

However, in reading the passage it highlighted to me that there is nothing new under the sun. That even in Jesus’ time our human nature is such that even when faced with the confirmation of what has been told by a warning from beyond the grave we are likely to not believe it.

There is also a challenge for us in this passage. We are called to bring the gospel to those around us who have no interest and do not believe. I am firmly of the view that it is only in our quiet demonstration of the impact God has had on our own lives. Through our love and care that we can encourage others to take that step to meeting face to face with their Saviour and allow them to find their own way to belief.

Hymn: Singing the Faith –  393 “She sits like a bird brooding on the water”

Contemplation Words

“ the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached”

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, may my life, all my words and all of my actions speak of you. Amen

Full Prayer

Lord,we are good at ignoring the consequences of our actions and often surprised when things turn out predictably badly. Help us to be more thoughtful and attentive to your word considering the impact of our actions on both ourselves and those around us. We thank you for the guidance we find in the scriptures. The words of your prophets and leaders which still resonate with us today. We thank you for Jesus and the words of his ministry here on Earth which open up the way for us to come to know you.