Reading, Reflection and Prayer starts back up for a new church program year. We're following the Church Bible Reading plan - which will take us through all the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles throughout the year, along with all the Psalm. Today is Matthew 1:1-17 along with Psalm 1.

As we come to the conclusion of Luke's gospel (and the conclusion of Reading, Reflection and Prayer - at least until the fall) we notice how is needs the presence of Jesus to unpack the scriptures and the promise of the Holy Spirit to equip the disciples for ministry.

We draw close to the end of the gospel of Luke. Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They recognize him in the breaking of bread. As they reflect, they remember that their hearts were 'burning within us' on the way.

We reach the last chapter of Luke's gospel and the accounts of the resurrection this week. The women discover the tomb empty and are greeted with angels announcing the news. The men are skeptical. Even Peter, when he sees the empty tomb and the folded linens, does not know what to make of it.

Luke tells us that the sun no longer shines at the point of Jesus' death - there is three hours of darkness. We also reflect on the details of Jesus' burial and the care that Joseph of Arimathea shows.

Ruth shares from a conference that she attended over the weekend. We read the crucifixion narrative in Luke. We think about Jesus' compassion for others even in this moment of execution, and the grace that is available to the crucified thief who turns to Jesus.