Thoughts for the Day

'Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, from New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today is an Ember Day - what is that, I hear some of you asking? Well Ember Days are quarterly periods of prayer, and for many people, of fasting. They occur every quarter of the year in Western Christian churches, and this week they occur today, and also on Friday and Saturday.

There are also special readings on Ember Days, and today's is the story of the slaves who stay awake to wait to welcome their master's return. It's a parable, remember, so not all the bits of the story fit perfectly, after all the slaves would never have been served a meal by their master. But the meaning behind the parable is important - we are to keep alert, for God is at work in our world and one day will return. This Advent we are called to spend some time in prayer and possibly fasting, especially on this Ember Day.

Wednesday 9th December, follow up thoughts

Lord God,
help us find some space
this day for You;
to put aside our busyness
and spend time with You;
as we wait for Your coming.
Amen.