Day 8—Thursday 25th January 2024 Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise”. (Luke 10: 37) Lord, may our mercy be a sign of your Kingdom. Additional scripture passages Romans 12: 9-13 Psalm 41: 1-2 Reflection Jesus sends each of us, and our churches to live out his commandment to love. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we are sent out to reach to a suffering humanity with compassion and mercy. Like the Good Samaritan, we can choose not to reject those who are different, rather actively seeking out opportunities to be hospitable, to welcome and to share. To truly be neighbours, we must go beyond that which does not cost us anything, as we learn how Christ’s love visits us through the welcoming of others. Striving together for merciful unity helps rebuild relationships, so that violence can give way to solidarity and peace. As mutual trust and confidence increase, our hope is that Christ’s love heals us through each other’s mercy and care. We pray for Christ Church. Emmanuel Church Centre. Our local volunteer groups. Cooperation and love between our churches. We pray together … Father God, who holds the world in loving embrace, may we care for each other as you do. Holy Spirit, giver of life, open us to each other and strengthen our bonds of communion and mutual affection. Prince of Peace, give us the resolve to live out the Gospel faithfully, that we may be radical welcomers and reconcilers. Amen Question What does this call of Christ imply for your relationship with members of other churches? Go and do Where do you notice God’s dream working in your community? Explore how you might join in.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Day 7—Wednesday 24th January 2024 Jesus said: “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour?” (Luke 10: 36) Lord, show us how to respond to our neighbour. Additional scripture passages Philippians 2: 1-5 Psalm 10: 17-18 Reflection At the end of the parable, Jesus asked the lawyer who was the neighbour to the man who was robbed. The lawyer replied that it was the one who showed mercy. He does not say “the Samaritan” and we might imagine that the hostility between Samaritans and Jews made that hard to admit. We often discover our neighbours in the most unexpected people. In today’s world, where polarised politics often set those of different religious identities against one another, Jesus challenges us to see the importance of our vocation to transgress borders and walls of separation. Like the lawyer, we are challenged to reflect upon how we live our lives, not merely in terms of whether we do good or not, but whether, like the priest and the Levite, we are neglecting to “do mercy.” We pray for St Joseph’s R C Church. Our local interfaith groups. Those working for peace and reconciliation. We pray together Holy God, your Son Jesus Christ came among us to show the way of compassion. Help us by your Spirit to follow his example, to serve the needs of all your children, and so witness together as Christians to your ways of love and mercy. Amen Question How can you “do mercy” today? Go and do Think about the ways that Christians, churches and people of other faiths have been merciful to those who have least expected it.
Day 6—Tuesday 23rd January 2024 Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (Luke 10: 34) Lord, turn our churches into inns, welcoming those in need. Additional scripture passages Genesis 18: 4-5 Psalm 5: 11-12 Reflection In any society, hospitality and solidarity are essential. They require the welcoming of strangers, migrants and all people without a home. Such hospitality can require sacrifice, but it is an important witness to the Gospel. When faced with insecurity, suspicion and sometimes violence, we tend to mistrust our neighbours so that extending and accepting hospitality becomes more difficult. Welcoming “the other” and being welcoming in turn, is at the heart of ecumenical dialogue and practice. Christians are challenged to turn our churches into inns, open and inviting spaces where our neighbours can find Christ. When we, as followers of Christ, move beyond our traditions and choose to practise ecumenical hospitality, we stop being strangers and start being good neighbours. We pray for Edenfield Parish Church. Trinity Grace Church. Our churches to be places of welcome to all. Those working with the isolated and vulnerable. We pray together God of unity, Help us to become a community that generously welcomes those who feel abandoned and lost, together building an inn where all are welcomed and loved. Amen Question When have you seen Christ in someone who was not like you? Go and do What ecumenical projects can be found in your area? Find out what Christians are doing together and get involved.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Day 5—Monday 22nd January 2024 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. (Luke 10: 34) Lord, help us see the wounds and find hope. Additional scripture passages Joel 2: 23-27 Psalm 104: 14-15, 27-30 Reflection The Good Samaritan did what he could out of his own resources: he poured oil and wine and bandaged the man’s wounds and put him on his own animal. He went further still by promising to pay for the man’s care. When we see the world through the eyes of the Samaritan, every situation can be an opportunity to help those in need. His example motivates us to ask ourselves how to respond to our neighbour. What can we give, so that we can be part of God’s work of healing a broken world? This brokenness shows itself in our world through insecurity, fear, distrust and division. Shamefully, these divisions also exist between Christians. Though we celebrate sacraments of healing, reconciliation and consolation, we persist in behaviours that cause division. The healing of our own divisions would perhaps promote the healing of the nations. We pray for Dundee Lane URC. St Andrew’s Church, Ramsbottom. Our pastoral care groups. Those who are ill or grieving. We pray together Gracious God, You who are the source of all love and goodness; enable us to recognise the needs of our neighbour. Help us to be honest about our need for healing. Change us, so that we can love all, that we might build a world of peace. Thank you for leading us to a future which is full of hope. Amen Question What can we give, so that we can be part of God’s work of healing a broken world? Go and do What groups already exist in your area that are actively involved in healing in some way? Explore meaningful ways of engaging with them.
