Lent 2023 – Day Fourteen – Luke 10 v 25 – 42

by Chris Hancock · Published March 6, 2023 · Updated March 11, 2023

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 15 minutes);
You can listen to the reflection and the prayers with a shortened length for personal prayer (approx 5 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 including Bible reading (approx 15 minutes).

Audio of Reflection and shortened prayers (approx 5 mins).

Read Luke Chapter 10 Verses 25-42. In your own preferred version. The audio uses the NIV.

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

“Go and do likewise.”

Having spoken about barren places yesterday we move today to a story based on an inhospitable road. The familiar story of the good Samaritan.

Continuing my thoughts from yesterday – here we are in a rocky place a place where we would not expect to find anything good. A place which is remote and dangerous but a place which has to be traveled through in order to journey between towns and Jerusalem.

Yet in this barren place we catch a glimpse of what it means to follow Jesus’ instruction to love our neighbour. The Samaritan’s actions are unexpected because of the animosity between the nations. When we step into these places it is also perhaps unexpected and uncomfortable for us.

We do not need to put ourselves in the dangerous place where robbers lurk but we do need to get out of our comfort zone and interact with people in need where they are. We cannot turn our heads away and keep walking.So that even in those unwelcoming and sometimes hostile places we can reveal a glimpse of God and catch a glimpse of him ourselves.

Hymn: Songs of Fellowship – 599 “When we walk with the Lord”

1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.

[Refrain]

3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favour he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
[Refrain]4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey.[Refrain]

Contemplation Words

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (v 27 NIV)

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 give us the courage to help others in the places where we do not feel comfortable. Help us to draw others from the stony barren places into your fruitful presence. Amen

Facebook Prayer

Lord keep my feet firm on your path. Where I see need may I be quick to respond and not be held back by my own fear. Help me remember that you are always with me. Amen

Full Prayer

Lord, if we stay on the safe paths we will never meet those in need of our aid. Help us to see the opportunities which come before us and to respond in your name.

Lord, we remember Mary as she sat at your feet and listened. In this season of Lent may we too come before you and listen to your word. May we hear your desire that we love all of our neighbours. Not the easiest or the closest, those that we see as safe but all our neighbours.

Lord we also pray that as we travel through life that your loving arms will enfold us and keep us safe as we trust in you. Amen.

Copyright Notices

Reflections and Prayers

By Chris Hancock

Hymns

Hymn words where displayed are in the Public Domain. Hymn organ recordings where used are from Small Church Music. Copyright notice: Rev. Clyde McLennan, performer in this collection, has assigned his performer rights in this collection to Hymnary.org. Non-commercial use of these recordings is permitted. Other hymns are from YouTube and covered by YouTube copyright processes.

Bible Readings

Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Images

Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.

Background Music

The background music in today’s recordings is: Music from Pixabay Relaxing Music Vol.12 – Relaxing Time slightly edited by Chris Hancock as permitted by the Pixabay licence.

Sound Effect from Pixabay Andrew kn – At the edge of space II – Re-mixed and tinkered with by Chris Hancock as permitted by the Pixabay licence.