Collect and Readings for Sunday 14th February 2021 – Private Prayer at All Saints, Marthall 9:30am. The Sunday next before Lent
Readings: 2 Kings 2.1-12, Psalm 50.1-6,2 Corinthians 4.3-6, Mark 9.2-9
The Prayer for today
Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Our readings today take us from Christ's heavenly glory revealed on earth which we have been exploring over the last few weeks, to now get ready for Ash Wednesday, 17th February, when we turn around and have space to take a long hard look at our human shortcomings, and in spite of them, also see and hear God's amazing and insistent call to us to be his disciples. Our readings show us that God is better than the best, whereas we humans, have so many shortcomings we need time to face up to them, repent, seek forgiveness and by our actions show that we have changed.
Our prayer for today shows these three stages. First we ask for grace to be able to see and understand Christ's glory just as the disciples did in the reading from Mark. We then move to the image of the suffering Christ and a plea that we are given strength to cope with our sufferings as Christ did. I am sure that after the last 12 months we are all praying for strength to continue to deal with the ongoing consequences of the pandemic. Finally, we have the Easter message of hope, resurrection, ascension and our transformation into Christ's likeness from glory to glory. Just as Christ brought light into the world's dark places, so we as his disciples, are challenged to continue to bring the light of hope to those who are in the world's dark places.
As Lent approaches: Things to do and think about
- What will you do differently this Lent?
- Will you rediscover your faith?
- How will you draw closer to God?
- Will you give something up or will you start to do something that makes a difference in your life and the life of your family and the community?
God bless and stay safe and well
Rev'd Fiona Robinson