UNCOMFORTABLE PRAYERS

When we think of what we see as the unloving world, may we remember that it is our own failure and not God's that has brought it into existence.  May we understand.  May we forgive and may we welcome lovingly our estranged brothers and sisters into Christ's Church.

Then the righteous will answer him,
"Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? "
The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Give me the faith which can remove
And sink the mountain to a plain;
Give me the childlike praying love,
Which longs to build thy house again;
Thy love, let it my heart o'er-power,
And all my simple soul devour.

I would the precious time redeem,
And longer live for this alone,
To spend and to be spent for them
Who have not yet my Saviour known;
Fully on these my mission prove,
And only breathe, to breathe thy love.

 

My talents, gifts, and graces, Lord,
Into thy blessed hands receive;
And let me live to preach thy word,
And let me to thy glory live;
My every sacred moment spend
In publishing the sinner's Friend.

Enlarge, inflame, and fill my heart
With boundless charity divine,
So shall I all my strength exert,
And love them with a zeal like thine,
And lead them to thy open side,
The sheep for whom the Shepherd died.

Charles Wesley

Jesus was invited to dinner with a well to do Pharisee. The house had an enclosed garden. A fountain played bringing some refreshment in the heat of the day. The guests reclined at table eating the meal set before them. Jesus had been invited because he was a local celebrity and Simon the host wished to impress his neighbours with this provocative young Galilean. Simon felt he had everything he wanted - he liked to be admired but felt no need of love. A group had been allowed in to hear the wisdom of their betters. From the edge of this group a woman, who had been listening intently stepped forward to stand in front of Jesus. She began to weep and her tears fell on to his feet. She tried to dry them with her hair. Like all Jewish women, she wore about her neck a small phial of concentrated perfume. She poured this on Jesus’ feet and kissed them repeatedly. There was a murmuring in the crowd. They were shocked that this woman should make such an exhibition of herself. They noticed her unbraided hair - no modest Jewish woman would have worn her hair thus. Now they could see who she was - the men especially knew she was a prostitute. Simon knew and muttered to himself:

"If this Jesus was really a prophet he would know what sort of woman it was who was touching him."

"Can I tell you a story?" said Jesus turning to look at Simon.

"Speak on, master" he replied.

"There were two men who were in debt to a certain money lender. One owed twenty pounds and the other just two. They were unable to pay but the moneylender wrote off both their debts. Which man do you suppose was more grateful to the money lender?"

"Why the man who was left off the bigger debt of course" replied Simon.

"Quite right" said Jesus and turning to the woman held out his hands. "Simon I came to your house but you gave me no water for my feet but she has washed them with her tears and for a towel she has used her unbraided hair. You gave me no kiss but she still kisses my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil but she has anointed my feet with her expensive perfume. For her great love, her many sins are forgiven. He who is forgiven little loves little." Jesus looked intently into the face of the woman. "Your sins are forgiven - now go in peace."

The others around the table whispered to each other:

"Who is this who can even forgive sins?"

 

Think of all those sinners we think of as beyond the pale the great unloved. Our hearts are hardened against them so they in return know little of the love we proclaim. Jesus is here talking about our forgiving others not of God’s abounding grace.

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