HE GATHERS THE SCATTERED

PRAYER PAUSE

Saturday 24 March 2018

HE GATHERS THE SCATTERED

Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: “Jesus was to die to gather together in unity the scattered children of God.” (John 11:45-57)

Reflection. Evil scatters, love gathers.  The story of the Jewish people is one of scattering, vividly and refreshingly illustrated in Fiddler on the Roof. It is a tragic story and is repeated again and again. We are scattered and divided.  But the life and death of Jesus “gathers” us as a hen gathers her chicks, as a mother gathers her family at nightfall.  There are many forces at work in the world that move us slowly but surely towards unity. The death of Jesus, as John prophesises here, acts as a leaven, drawing people together.  Jesus, in his death, has grappled with the forces of darkness and scattering.  He has suffered their impact to the full. He has touched the point of their greatest ferocity and cruelty. He is broken by them but not defeated. They have done their worst but they cannot conquer him. He will rise and we will be gathered and unity with him.   

 

Prayer. Lord, gather us together and break down the divisions that scatter us. Amen