Saturday 18 February

Reading:
Luke 19:41-44

Reflection:
The Gospel of Luke gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ heart as he rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. There may have been celebration and singing, but for Jesus there was grief. God had been revealed to God’s people in so many ways over the centuries. God’s ways had been taught and God’s peace and justice proclaimed. Now, through the ministry of Jesus, God’s Reign had been revealed as never before. However, in spite of all this, the people had failed to recognise God’s presence among them. They had failed to see and embrace the values of peace and justice that would bring life to God’s people and, through them, to the world. Jesus grieves because this “blindness” has consequences. Ultimately, since they have rejected peace, they will become victims of war – defeated, conquered and vulnerable.

Seeing God’s glory is about more than just having a blessed experience of God’s presence and love. It is also about being changed into carriers of God’s justice and peace. When we fail to recognise this, we actually miss God’s glory altogether. But, when we embrace the transforming challenge of God’s glory, we become channels of God’s peace, justice, grace and compassion to the world.

Where in your life do you still have blind spots to God’s glory? Where is God’s glory challenging you to change and become a channel for healing change to others? How can you open yourself to this manifestation of God’s glory today?

Practice for Today:
When we leave our worship gatherings we often receive a benediction – a good word – that invites us to take the vision of God that we have enjoyed in our worship out into the world. Each day we can continue this “benedicting” in our own lives, opening us to the possibilities for God’s presence, justice and healing in our corner of the world. Why not practice speaking “good words” through the day?

Breath-Prayer for Today:
Let me see your glory and let others see your healing glory through me.