2nd Sunday before Lent

Readings: Genesis 2v4b-9&15-end; Psalm 65; Revelation 4; Luke 8v22-25.

Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

A Word: What a selection of readings we have for today, readings that tell us a lot about God. In Genesis we hear about God as a creator. For God formed man from the dust of the ground, then breathed life into him to make him into a living being. Then God created the Garden of Eden for the first man to live and work in. After this God made all sorts of animals and birds to keep the man company. However, when the man found that none of the animals or birds were a suitable partner and helper, God made woman as a partner for the man. A partner who alongside the man made one whole being. Just like the two sides of a single coin – make one united whole.

In the psalm we hear about God’s love for humankind. For it tells us that when we turn to God and confess our sins that our sins are washed away. It also says that everyone drawn to God’s temple will find blessing and hope beyond measure. For the God we worship and praise and thank is the one who cares for the whole of creation.

In the book of the Revelation, we hear about the awesome and mighty presence of God in a vision of heaven. For heaven is a place where there is a throne alongside 24 other thrones and a sea that looks just like crystal in front of the main throne. On the main throne is seated one who is brightly coloured like jasper and carnelian - a shiny rusty red sort of colour - one who is described as living forever and ever. And, in this place, there is a sound like thunder and reverberation; there are four living creatures with wings and lots of eyes singing songs of praise to God; and on the other thrones are elders, all dressed in long white robes and wearing golden crowns; elders who fall to their knees and put down their crowns before the one who lives forever, as they sing songs of glory and praise to the one who lives forever.

In Luke we hear what the disciples have to say about God’s Son on a day when Jesus is tired and falls asleep whilst he and his disciples are in a boat crossing to the other side of the lake. For while Jesus is sleeping, a serious storm that puts Jesus and the disciples in danger breaks out. In fear, the disciples wake Jesus and alert him to the troublesome storm and upon waking and understanding what was happening, Jesus reprimands the wind and raging waves. In response the storm evaporates and Jesus asks his disciples “where is your faith?”. The disciples, amazed by what they had witnessed, simply ask each other “who is this that even the winds and waves obey him?”.

As God’s gathered people, we are called to believe and trust in the God who created us; the God who loves forgives, cares for and blesses humankind; the God who is worshipped in heaven; the God who came to earth and asks “where is your faith?” I pray that all of us here will be just as amazed by what we witness in our lives that we too will be able to say of God- Father, Son and Holy Spirit - “who is this that even the winds and waves obey him?”

Let us Pray: Almighty God, maker of the whole of creation, who has set the tree of life in paradise and the bread of life in the heart of the Church; transform us through our Saviour’s cross; teach us to detect your hand in all your works and to see your likeness in all your children; and call us to share in the delights of eternity. Amen

Thanks for joining us today.