Collect and Readings for Sunday 7th February 2021 – Private Prayer at All Saints, Marthall 9:30am.The Second Sunday before Lent
Readings: Proverbs 8.1,22-31, Psalm 104.26-end, Colossians 1.15-20, John 1.1-14
The Prayer for today
Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children: through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever. Amen.
Our readings today are pointing us to think about Christ being the unseen image of God. I love the Book of Proverbs. Our passage today talks about wisdom and shows us the extraordinary creative energy of God's wisdom. When I was at school my school motto was 'Honour Wisdom' and as time has passed I have reflected on exactly what this means. I think we often think of wisdom as something only old people can have; you know those who have had a lifetime of experience to learn things. But I don't think that this is necessarily true. Our reading gives us an insight. It shows us an image of God's wisdom as a creative woman, sensitive, delighting in all the unfolding wonders, appreciating and valuing everything with a childlike innocence which is playful yet candid and pure. It shows us God's feminine side, a lightness and gentleness of touch. It also tells us that Wisdom has been there since before the start of the earth. Wisdom worked in tandem with God working with and rejoicing with him in the whole of creation.
Perhaps this then gives us something to think about in our own lives. Do we spend enough time with God, every day, praying and praising him? Do we have sensitivity towards other people and the community around us which reflects God's Wisdom? Do we recognise God's delight in us and that we are all deeply valued by him?
Things to do and think about:
- Do we show sensitivity to everyone we meet
- Do we rejoice in creation and do everything we can to protect and make it flourish
- Do we look for the good in the world rather than focussing on the bad news stories
- Think of all those sayings e.g. 'Pride comes before a fall' Prov.16.18, 'The apple of your eye' Prov.7.2. How many more can you think of that can be found somewhere in the Bible?
God bless and stay safe and well
Rev'd Fiona