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Friday, March 22, 2013
Lenten Reflections
Christian Formation Commission
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Greetings!
Thank you for joining us in prayer and reflection during this season of Lent. We will travel through daily scripture, reflection and prayer. Additional people have been joining us each day. Please feel free to forward these reflections to others. We invite you to explore the other resources for the season found at the bottom of the page as we continue the journey together. Christian Formation Commission |
Scripture
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the Lord. For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon's seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-13
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Our reading from Jeremiah comes from the second half of the book.. This section contains a few of Jeremiah's prophecies but the main emphasis is on Jeremiah and his conflicts with the kings who ruled in Judah during his ministry. It also is a message to the people who were carried away as captives into Babylon.
Jeremiah tells the people that while they are in Babylon they are to live their lives as if they were at home. Let us remember also that the people who were taken into captivity were the leading citizens of Judah. They would remain in captivity for half a century. What was needed was a new type of covenant - a covenant of grace and forgiveness.
Jeremiah tells the people that after seventy year, the Lord will allow the people to return to their home country. Verse 11 tells them that, "For surely I know the plane I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope."
These particular words are written on a plaque that is in my prayer area. It reminds me that God has a plan for my life. It also tells me that God holds me in the hollow of His hand, always.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory. Behold and visit, we pray, the cities of the earth. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form our civic life. Send us honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, and that men and women from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the City, Book of Common Prayer,p.825
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