Lent 2010 #10

Matthew 23:37-39 (NRSV)

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

REFLECTION:

The contrast between harsh and tender in this passage really strikes me. On one hand, Jerusalem "kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it", but on the other hand, Jesus longs to gather us "together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings". Jesus tells us that if we allow Him to gather us together, God will give us comfort and strength against the harsher parts of life, and we will have each other in community, under the wings of God, for support. So let us say "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord (verse 39)" and return to our Mother Hen to be kept safe.

PRAYER:

Comforting God, help us to listen to your call, and be gathered up in your wings together; so that we can have strength, comfort, and support on our journeys. AMEN.

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Thoughts by Anna Jones, Sophomore at George Mason University involved with Lutheran Campus Ministry

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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