Gospel Reading: Matthew 19:14 (KJV)
‘But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’
Reflection On The Gospel
In this verse of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus emphasizes the value and importance of children in the eyes of God. Jesus welcomes children with open arms and assures us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. This message highlights the need to care for and protect children, especially those who are most vulnerable. Jesus’ compassion for children is a powerful reminder of our responsibility to ensure children’s well-being and to provide them with the love and support they need.
Reflection On Children Living In Poverty
In England, in the UK, childhood poverty impedes the children’s physical, emotional, educational and spiritual development. Lack of access to nutritious food, warmth, and basic, decent clothing are daily struggles for many. Our children often endure harsh living conditions and limited opportunities. There is a need to break the cycle of poverty. There are hundreds of thousands of such children, who are hungry. As a Church, irrespective of denomination, may we pray for these children, and do what we can individually and as a society to help them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask your help for children living in poverty. These precious souls face hardships that no child should ever endure. I pray for your protection and provision over their lives. Grant them access to the food and warmth and a home they need to grow and thrive. Surround them with caring individuals who can offer love and practical support. May your grace and mercy uplift them, giving them hope and a future. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel
Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:14 resonate deeply as I meditate on the importance of caring for children, especially those in poverty. Jesus calls us to welcome and nurture children, seeing in their innocence and vulnerability a reflection of the kingdom of heaven. This call to action challenges me to consider how I can be a source of support and encouragement to the young ones.
In Luke 18:16, Jesus says, ‘But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.’ This verse emphasizes the special place children hold in God’s heart. By extending compassion and assistance to children in need, we are not only following Jesus’ example but also participating in the work of the kingdom of God.
I consider the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. This parable teaches us to show mercy and compassion to those in need, regardless of background or circumstance. As I reflect on this story, I am reminded that true neighborliness involves active efforts to alleviate the suffering of others. This commitment to compassion and action is to be essential to living out my faith.
Additional Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your boundless love and compassion for all children. Help me to see the world through your eyes and to respond with empathy and action to the needs of the poor. Guide my steps as I seek ways to support and uplift these young ones. May my efforts, no matter how small, contribute to their well-being and bring glory to your name. Amen.
Closing Scripture Reading: Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Our Blessing
May the love and compassion of Christ fill our hearts as we work to support children living in poverty. May we be instruments of God’s grace, providing hope and opportunities for these precious souls. May we go forth in love, carrying God’s light into the world and making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. Amen.
Psalm 150 concludes the Book of Psalms; a doxological finale, the psalm encapsulates essence of worship and praise. This psalm, concise yet profound in scope, commands praise for God across various mediums and settings, emphasizing universality and diversity of worship. The psalm is both capstone to the psalter and an invitation to all of creation to join in a chorus of adoration for God [ … ]
YouTube: Ash Wednesday | T.S. Eliot | Audio Christian Poetry | Word Aloud Ash Wednesday, one of T.S. Eliot’s most profound and enigmatic poems, marks a significant transition in his life and work. Written in 1930, it is the first long poem Eliot composed after his conversion to Anglicanism in 1927. The poem, often considered one of Eliot’s masterpieces, delves into themes of faith, redemption, and spiritual struggle. It reflects the poet’s personal journey towards spiritual enlightenment and serves as a testament to his newfound religious beliefs. A reading of Ash Wednesday is an exploration of the poem’s religious, literary, and personal contexts, as of the poem’s complex structure and themes. Religious Context And Symbolism Ash Wednesday is deeply embedded in Christian symbolism and tradition. The title refers to the first day of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar, a day marked by penance, fasting, and prayer. Ash Wednesday is a time for reflection on mortality and repentance, themes that are intricately woven throughout the poem. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism profoundly influenced his writing; ‘Ash Wednesday’ is an expression of spiritual awakening and quest for redemption. The poem is replete with religious imagery and references, drawing on Christian doctrine and scripture. The use of liturgical language, biblical allusions, and references to saints and spiritual figures creates a tapestry of faith that invites readers to contemplate deep spiritual truths with which Eliot is grappling. The repetitive and prayer-like quality of the verses echoes meditative practices of the faithful, in part enabling the contemplative nature of the poem. Literary Influences And Techniques T.S. Eliot was a master of literary allusion and technique, and Ash Wednesday expresses Eliot’s ability to blend various influences into a cohesive whole. The poem reflects the influence of Dante, particularly The Divine Comedy, which Eliot admired for its exploration of spiritual ascent and redemption. Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven parallels Eliot’s own spiritual journey, and the structure of Ash Wednesday can be seen as a reflection of this pilgrimage. Eliot’s use of fragmented narrative, a hallmark of his earlier work such as The Waste Land, is also present in Ash Wednesday. However, in this poem, the fragmentation serves a different purpose. Instead of depicting the disintegration of modern society, it mirrors the fragmented and often painful process of spiritual rebirth. The disjointed structure reflects the internal struggle of the speaker, who is torn between the pull of worldly desires and the aspiration for divine grace. The poem’s language is rich and varied, combining the lyrical and the obscure, the personal and the universal. Eliot employs a range of poetic forms and devices, including free verse, rhyme and meter, to convey the tumultuous journey of faith. The shifting tone and style reflect the complexities and contradictions inherent in the spiritual quest, capturing moments of doubt, despair, hope, and transcendence. Personal Significance Ash Wednesday is a deeply personal work. Eliot’s conversion to Anglicanism marked a profound shift in his life, providing a sense of purpose and direction that had been missing. The poem can be read as a reflection of Eliot’s own struggles with faith and his efforts to reconcile his intellectual skepticism with his desire for spiritual certainty. Eliot’s personal experiences, including his troubled marriage and professional pressures, also inform the poem. Themes of renunciation and acceptance, sin and redemption, are not merely abstract concepts but lived realities for the poet. This personal dimension adds a layer of intimacy and urgency to the poem, which thereby resonates with readers who have faced their own spiritual crises. Thematic Exploration At its core, Ash Wednesday is a meditation on the possibility of spiritual renewal in a world that often seems devoid of meaning. The poem grapples with the tension between faith and doubt, reflecting the existential struggles of modernity. The poem acknowledges the difficulties of maintaining belief in an age of skepticism but ultimately affirms the possibility of redemption and grace. The central theme of renunciation is explored through imagery of ascension and purification. The speaker’s journey is marked by a series of renunciations, symbolizing the shedding of earthly attachments in pursuit of spiritual truth. This process is neither straightforward nor easy; it involves moments of intense struggle and introspection. Yet, through this arduous journey, the speaker moves closer to a state of spiritual clarity and acceptance. Ash Wednesday | T. S. Eliot Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I do not hope to know The infirm glory of the positive hour Because I do not think Because I know I shall not know The one veritable transitory power Because I cannot drink There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again Because I know that time is always time And place is always and only place And what is actual is actual only for one time And only for one place I rejoice that things are as they are and I renounce the blessèd face And renounce the voice Because I cannot hope to turn again Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something Upon which to rejoice And pray to God to have mercy upon us And pray that I may forget These matters that with myself I too much discuss Too much explain Because I do not hope to turn again Let these words answer For what is done, not to be done again May the judgement not be too heavy upon us Because these wings are no longer wings to fly But merely vans to beat the air The air which is now thoroughly small and dry Smaller and dryer than the will Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still. Pray for us sinners now […]
The poem is a meditation on the nature of prayer. It is a sonnet with no narrative or direct progression, composed of sixteen images, each evoking different dimensions of prayer. There is no main verb in the poem; it flows as a series of phrases that describe prayer without explicitly saying what it does. A list of metaphors feels simultaneously boundless and encompassing, as Herbert seeks to communicate prayer’s role, impact, and place within the human and divine realms [ … ]
