The world belongs to God
The earth and all its people
How good and lovely it is
To live together in unity
Love and faith come together
Justice and peace join hands
“Every Praise”
Let us in silence remember our faults and failings
Christ have mercy on us, deliver us from ourselves and help us to put right our lives.
Amen.
Song “I am the bread of Life”
The Lord’s Prayer in our own language
Song “Salvation Song”
Reflection- Mark 10:46-52
Jesus and the disciples were passing through Jericho, towards Jerusalem. Today Jericho is in the West Bank and the tourist buses don’t like to go there because they fear aggressive attacks from Palestinians.
There was a large crowd, and a a blind beggar, called Bartimaeus-Son of Timaeus, was sitting as was the custom by the side of the road. Yesterday I watched a young woman begging in a supermarket begging. People were bringing her food. But the security guards came and removed her as she was regarded as bad for business. This is not following the gospel. Our values as Christians are different.
The begger already had hope in this Jesus person and when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, Dauid Ihsou, Jesus son of David. He also knows his lineage this blind man. And Jesus doesn't silence him.
He is shouting out “Have mercy on me”. He is already a believer, a follower of Jesus. But the crowd told him off just as they tried to silence the children, the woman caught in adultery, lepers. rebuked him. They told him to be quiet.
But he kept shouting. Which is what we have to do. We have to keep shouting because our salvation, our healing our shalom depends on it.
Jesus stopped and said cheer up! And the people said its all right now, get up, he's calling you.
So throwing off his cloak and leaping to his feet, Bartimaeus went to Jesus.
Sometimes we have to just have faith, to throw away what hinders us and move!
Jesus then spoke to him and said what do you want me to do for you? Though it was obvious!
The man responded with respect and belief. Rabbi I want to see again he said.
Jesus told him to go you and that he didn't have to sit on the edge of the road begging any more, because his faith has healed him. And the man got up and followed Jesus.
What are we blind to? What keeps us from following Jesus, from seeing the truth, from healing? What do we need to take off to follow Jesus?
Song “How Great thou art”
Our Prayers
We pray for people and situations we are concerned about including, our country, our friends and families and those who are marginalised in our communities, the poor, the refugees and homeless. May we not fail you. Amen
May we not fail you. Amen
Song “Come ye thankful people”
The blessing of God be upon you
On those you love and those you meet
This day and for evermore. Amen
With thanks to the ©Iona Community adapted
