Do not be anxious

“do not be anxious about anything. In everything, resort to prayer and supplication, together, with thanksgiving, and bring your requests before God. Then, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Dear God,

Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us.

Thank you for your great love and care, even during these extreme and difficult times.

Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life.

Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given.

Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh.

Help us to see your love and kindness in everyone, especially now.

Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy.

We love you and we need you, more than ever this day and every day.

We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy!

In Jesus' Name,

Amen."

Spirit of Journey

Spirit of Journey

Open our minds to know your voice.

Open our hands to do your work.

And open our hearts to hold your Spirit.

Companion God,

You call us to be people of journey.

You call us to enter into the story of your people that stretches back through all of time.

Remind us that our journey of faith is walked in and with this community.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, who walks with us.

Amen

The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

When have we failed to recognize Jesus’ presence in our lives?

How might the scriptures help to nourish our life and help us to interpret our own story?

When have you experienced that moment of recognizing the presence of God in your life; in nature; or in another person?

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Like a pilgrimage, the labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. The labyrinth is a metaphor for life's journey. It is a symbol that creates a sacred space and place and takes us out of our ego to ‘that which is within.’

As we go about our day, O God;

As we strive to walk with Jesus as people of Journey,

Remind us that we make this journey in community

And we find you revealed in one another.

May your grace, mercy and peace,

Bless us, keep us and transform us all,

This day, now and forever. Amen

Deeper Encounters

DEEPER ENCOUNTERS

Most importantly we are not alone. This time can give us with an opportunity for greater clarity about the transitions in the life of Christ. He listened deeply in the desert as he prepared for his public ministry; he withdrew to mountain tops and seashores from time to time; he lingered in the Garden of Olives when he realised that the officials were closing in on him.

Deep listening in this time can open us to deeper encounters with the Sacred.

We could make this our prayer at this time:

May all that is not love fall away. May all that is not truth fall away. May all that is not fullness fall away. May all that is not richness fall away. May all that is not peaceful fall away. May this time bring us closer to each other and bring us closer to your all-embracing love. Through and with the love of Christ,

Amen.