Good morning.
Today is Thursday,
March 4th,
2021.
Oh Lord,
Let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.
Glory to God,
The three in one,
Creator,
Redeemer,
And sustainer,
As it was in the beginning,
Is now,
And will be forever.
Amen.
Find yourself that you are in God's presence.
Notice how God may be speaking to you today.
Let yourself dwell on a word or a phrase that catches your attention or moves your heart,
And let your heart respond to God in prayer.
Please repeat these words.
Where would we go apart from you?
You have the words of eternal life.
Our reading today is from John chapter 6 verses 59 through 71.
Jesus spoke these words while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many of his disciples remarked,
We can't put up with this kind of talk.
How can anyone take it seriously?
Jesus was fully aware that the disciples were murmuring in protest at what he had said.
Is this a stumbling block for you?
He asked them.
What then?
If you were to see the chosen one,
Ascend to where the chosen one came from.
It is the spirit that gives life.
The flesh in itself is useless.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Yet among you,
There are some who don't believe.
Jesus knew from the start,
Of course,
Those who would refuse to believe and the one who would betray him.
He went on to say this.
This is why I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by Abba,
God.
From this time on,
Many of the disciples broke away and wouldn't remain in the company of Jesus.
Jesus then said to the twelve,
Are you going to leave me too?
Simon Peter answered,
Rabbi,
Where would we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe.
We are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.
Please repeat these words.
Where would we go apart from you?
You have the words of eternal life.
On Thursdays,
We pray for our families.
So I invite you now to think about your family.
Perhaps you want to consider your whole family or maybe just someone in your family.
Wherever the spirit of God leads your imagination,
Let your mind rest on whoever you are supposed to pray for today.
Don't worry about diagnosing anyone's needs or telling God what to do.
Just simply hold a person or a group of people before God as we pray together.
Bless all who call on you,
Almighty God,
From the rising of the sun to its setting.
From your goodness enrich us,
By your love inspire us,
By your spirit guide us,
By your power protect us.
In your mercy receive us now and always.
We pray in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray.
Our Father in heaven,
Eternal God,
Earthmaker,
Pain bearer,
Life giver,
Source of all that is and all that shall be.
Not only Father but Mother of us all.
May the hallowing of your name echo through the universe.
May the way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world.
May your heavenly will be done by all created beings.
May your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another forgive us.
In times of temptation and test strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love now and forever.
Amen.
Jesus you are the bread of life.
Give us this bread so that we may never go hungry.
Show us how to work for the food that endures for eternal life.
The food that comes only from you.
Amen.
And now my friends may the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you wherever he may send you today.
May he guide you through the wilderness,
Protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
Go in peace.
