The word of God

Luke 13:31-35

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' 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. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings

Jesus as a mother hen, protecting, comforting, nuturing and loving. I love this! I love the idea of being held in the shadow of embrace. The feeling of comfort and care feels so gentle and safe.

Lord, gather me, gather us all to you under your wing, protect us, keep us safe from the evil that lurks in this world. Keep us close to you.
amen

Amen! So beautiful!

Herod wants to kill you

The flight into Egypt, the newborn babys being killed at the behest of the other Herod - this Incarnation bracketed by such bloodthirsty Herods. What a rage and fear such peace evokes. That the powerful would strike out at infants speaks to the cowardliness of such a tyrant, the tenuousness of power ill-gotten and fragile and short-lived indeed.

And too this: that at the first hearing of such a warning, it was time to flee, time to wait until the danger had passed. But the later hearing, of the same threat, brings a different response, "I'm busy over here." The death will come, but this is no longer time to hide.

Lord help me listen well, knowing that the same words, the same obstacles may greet me again and again. May my response grow ever more attentive to Your will for me. Let me wait, when it is time to wait, let me act, when it is time to act. Let me not imagine the words of others to be my instructions, but rather only what you would have me do.

Amen, to that deeper listening.