Lent 2023 – Day Sixteen – Luke 11 v 29 – 54
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.
Audio of Reflection and shortened prayers (approx 6 mins).
Read Luke Chapter 11 verses 29-54. In your own preferred version. The audio uses the NIV.
Link to the Bible Gateway NIV version (Opens in a new tab)
“so that those who come in may see the light.”
We read today of what shows on the outside is a reflection of what is inside.
It is true that we can pretend but eventually our inner state is reflected by our actions and our attitudes.
In our reading Jesus calls out the Parisees who challenges him because he has not washed his hands a very pertinent topic for us today! However, the Pharisee would have seen this is a religious context that Jesus had not performed the correct outward rules to ensure he was clean according to the “law”. Jesus uses this to make his point that they were zealous about the outward signs of complying with God’s law but terrible about meeting the requirements to look after the poor and not to weigh down God’s people with endless rules and regulations.
Jesus also speaks to us in this and with the helpful analogy of the light from a lamp. He calls us to ensure that we are filled with his light and not concerned with the external perception of our faith. If all is well, our light will shine steadily and brightly. The light will shine into the world and draw those who do not know Jesus to him. The light is our actions and our words which must reflect our daily journey with Jesus.
As humans we like stories and embelish them to make them more exciting or relevant. In speaking the stories of Jesus’ impact on our lives we must remain firm in the reality and truthfulness of our experiences and then they will be the most powerful stories of all.
This Lent look for someone you can share your stories of your experience of Jesus with and share them as a light shining into the world.
I have recently started singing with the Babies and Toddlers group at church – it is tremendously uplifting to have the children dance and stomp around shaking their percussion instruments whilst I sing. There is such a joy in the simplicity of Nursery Rhymes and their actions. This probably explains why I have chosen as our hymn today one of those simple Sunday School songs of old. “This little light of mine”. Not content with just a couple of verses I have “written/added” some and given the song a slight swing feel. I hope you have as much fun listening to it as I had recording it.
Hymn: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”
Contemplation Words
“…if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” (v 36 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 may your light shine in my life driving out any darkness I may hold there. Amen
Facebook Prayer
Lord encourage us to shine in your world. By our lives help us to place the lamp of your love in a visible place. Through our words and actions may we speak enthusiastically about your place in our lives. Let our stories of your presence in our lives be vivid and full of truth. Amen
Full Prayer
Loving Father we pray that our lives may match our words. That as we speak of you our actions will not speak more loudly than our words. Help us not to drive people away from you by our rules and traditions but in all things to be sensitive to your calling that we should love as you love.
In our worship may we be innovative and flexible whilst not losing sight of the reason for worship, as we praise your holy name. Keep our worship from becoming rigid and comfortable, more for our own enjoyment than from a need to come into your house and pour out our praise and worship to you.
Help us to be a light to the nations in all that we do. 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.
