Reading, Reflection and Prayer

We get to the end of Matthew's gospel. The account of the resurrection quickly moves to the Great Commission and the instruction of the risen Christ to his disciples to 'Go'.

We read the story of the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. We're struck by the detail in Matthew that at the moment of the crucifixion tombs of holy people are opened. Also, by the guard set on the tomb to anticipate and prevent any rumors of resurrection!

Jesus comes before Pilate and is then mocked by the soldiers after the crowd decide 'Crucify Him'. We think of the fickleness of the human heart, and the way in which all of us complicit in our rejection of God.

We reflect on the way in which the gospel leads us up to the crucifixion. Jesus predicts his death, and then at his arrest declares that this is necessary so that God's plan might be fulfilled.

We move into the last week of Jesus' life and the contrast between the plot to kill him and the beauty of a woman anointing him with oil. There's a contrast between light and dark. We see the process of prayer at work in Jesus' prayer at Gethsemane.

The three stories - of lamps with oil, talents and the sheep and the goats - together answer the question 'how should I be ready for Jesus' return?' Ruth thinks about how she had heard the story of the talents as one of condemnation, but is able to hear it differently now.

We read the passage where Jesus talks about the destruction of the temple and the fall of Jerusalem. The passage also is traditionally understood to be pointing to the end of the world - and these two chronologies can be hard to pull apart. Regardless - the message is clear: be ready!

A long reading from the gospel today. Jesus has a long list of 'woes' for the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law. Mostly concerning a disconnect between the outward show of religion and the heart. Ruth thinks about the compassion God displays in these chapters, and Richard about returning to God our lives in worship and discipleship.

Ruth talks about her process of journalling and the way in which that helps to structure her quiet time. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem puts him at direct odds with the religious leaders. He implies that they are unfruitful and unfaithful.

Longer readings this week, since this section of Matthew's gospel is longer. We pick out the story of the workers who work different amounts of time and all get paid the same. The owner says that he is 'not being unfair' since the ones who work all day get what was agreed. How does this challenge our ideas of fairness and generosity.