Day 4—Sunday 21st January 2024 When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. (Luke 10: 31) May we never turn away from those in need. Additional scripture passages Isaiah 58: 4-8a Psalm 34: 15-22 Reflection The priest and the Levite who walked by on the other side may have had religious reasons for not helping. They would have felt justified in what they had done. Yet, on many occasions, Jesus is critical of religious leaders for placing rules ahead of the obligation to do good. The prophet Isaiah gives us the same encouragement, we should do good rather than look good. As Christians, how far are we prepared to go beyond convention? This parable not only challenges us to do good, but also to widen our vision. The Good Samaritan is often the one we do not expect. Light and love are embodied in our enemy too. We pray for St Mary’s Church, Hawkshaw. Holcombe Brook Methodists. Our clergy, ministers and church leaders. World leaders that they show faith and integrity. We pray together Lord Jesus Christ, may our eyes not look away, but be wide open to the world around us. As we travel through life, may we stop and reach out, bind up the wounded and in so doing experience your presence in them. Amen Question Who are the Good Samaritans in your community? Go and do Reflect on your own circle of relationships and their geography. Choose today to walk through another part of town. What do you see and who do you notice?
Day 3—Saturday 20th January 2024 “Who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10: 29) Lord, open our hearts to those we do not see. Additional scripture passages Romans 13: 8-10 Psalm 119: 57-63 Reflection The teacher of the law wanted to justify himself, hoping that the neighbour he is called to love is one of his own faith and people. This is a natural human instinct. We prefer places of familiarity. This can also be true of our church communities. But Jesus takes the lawyer, and his wider audience, deeper into their own tradition by reminding them of the obligation to welcome and love all, regardless of religion, culture or social status. The Gospel teaches that loving those who are like ourselves is nothing special. Jesus steers us towards a much more radical version of what it means to be human. The parable illustrates in a very visible way what Christ expects from us – to open wide our hearts and walk in his way, loving others as he loves us. In fact, Jesus answers the lawyer with another question: it is not “who is my neighbour?”, but “who was a neighbour to the man in need?” We pray for Greenmount URC. St Paul’s Church, Ramsbottom. Our outreach to the elderly and our local care homes. Those who find it difficult to integrate into society. We pray together God of love, who writes love in our hearts, Instil in us the courage to look beyond ourselves and to be the unexpected neighbour. Amen Question Who are the people who are excluded within your community and why? Go and do Think of a person you have never really thought of as your neighbour? How can you be a neighbour to them in a practical way?
Day 2—Friday 19th January 2024 Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10: 27) Help me, Lord, to receive your love, that I may make you manifest in loving well, both myself and my neighbour. Additional scripture passages Deuteronomy 10: 12-13 Psalm 133 Reflection The answer Jesus draws out of the lawyer, from the well-known commandments of God, appears simple. However, the command to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind will be a constant challenge, requiring a lifelong determination to learn, reflect and seek change in ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit. The instruction to love our neighbours “as ourselves” demands equal consideration. To love and value ourselves as God would wish demands intimate relationship. Is God saying that we cannot love our neighbour fully unless we love ourselves? We do not get to choose our neighbours. Sometimes we must cross difficult barriers to serve them, rather than walking by. Loving means being attentive to their needs, accepting who they are, with humility, encouraging their hopes and aspirations. Let’s learn to celebrate difference in Christ’s unifying life, death and resurrection. We pray for St Philip’s Church, Stubbins. Our neighbours. The lonely and isolated. We pray together Lord, give us the grace to know you deeply, in order to love you entirely. May the gift of the Holy Spirit enable our eyes, ears and minds to receive the unconditional love with which you love us. Purify our hearts that we may always be able to love our neighbour, however different, as ourselves. Amen Question How do you see yourself? How do you think God sees you? Go and do Resolve to get to know a new person in your road and find a loving way to engage with them.
Today is Day one of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 has been prepared by the churches of Burkina Faso. The theme this year is “Go and Do Likewise.” Each day there is are bible readings, prayers for the community and the world, a time of reflection, a question and a 'Go and Do' The details are below are on also on the website www.ramsbottomchurches.org where you can also download a PDF of the week's booklet DAY 1— THURSDAY 18TH JANUARY 2024 A lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25) Help us, Lord, to have a life turned towards you. Additional scripture passages Romans 14: 8-9 Psalm 103: 13-18 Reflection “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” This crucial question asked of Jesus by a lawyer challenges every believer in God. It affects the meaning of our life on earth and for eternity. Elsewhere in the Bible, Jesus gives us the ultimate definition of eternal life “… that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17: 3). Knowing God means discovering and doing the will of God in our lives. Violence, greed and exploitation distance us from one another and from Jesus as “the Way” that leads us to the Father, our ultimate destiny. Speaking from a society that has been torn apart and traumatised by violence and identity based conflict for the last eight years, the churches of Burkina Faso offer us a message of hope in the promise of Christ’s all-embracing love. We pray for Ramsbottom Community Church. Emmanuel Church, Holcombe. Our local vision for working together in Ramsbottom. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who are unable to worship freely. We pray together God of life, You have created us to have life, and life in all its fullness. Help your wounded church to be a source of hope and healing. As we follow the way of Jesus with determination, may we lead others to you. Amen Question How do you see God’s dream for you unfolding in your life? Go and do Christians gathering to worship and witness in parts of Burkina Faso have been attacked and murdered, and the threat of violence continues to oppress and scatter that community. As we gather this week, pray for all those facing persecution in Burkina Faso and other parts of the world.
