31 At that time, some Pharisees approached Jesus and said, “Go! Get away from here, because Herod wants to kill you.”
32 Jesus said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Look, I’m throwing out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work. 33 However, it’s necessary for me to travel today, tomorrow, and the next day because it’s impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who were sent to you! How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that. 35 Look, your house is abandoned. I tell you, you won’t see me until the time comes when you say, Blessings on the one who comes in the Lord’s name.”
Reflection
Exhausted. I feel like lately, 9 times out of 10, when you ask someone how they are doing, they are going to say that they are exhausted. There are so many reasons for why this could be the case: both physically and emotionally, we as a world went through something incredibly stressful and tiring – COVID – and though the fear around it looks very different today than it did in Spring 2020, the long-term effects are very real. We went from being exhausted because during quarantine it felt like we were doing 10x the work with half the results, now our schedules are suffocating under the weight of trying to fit it both old and new events and habits. All the while we’re still trying to make sense on what in the world happened, and how it seems to have an impact on our churches, our families, our schools, our relationships, everything.
We’re exhausted. We need each other. Yet, sometimes it can be hard to accept that. In our text today, Jesus says, ” How often I have wanted to gather your people just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you didn’t want that.” Often, through the people around us, God us reaching out to put us under God’s wing, to help and protect us. I don’t know about you, but I’m stubborn and often find myself with the mentality of, “No thanks, I don’t need help. I want to prove I can do it.” Then wondering why I find myself exhausted.
Asking for, and accepting, help is okay. It doesn’t make us weak, it makes us human. What I’ve also learned is that this world is filled with wonderfully compassionate people, people who would love to offer some help. It is not a burden, helping others can really bring people joy and fulfillment. So maybe it’s okay to be gathered under God’s wing sometimes.
by Rachel Callender
For Pondering & Prayer
Today, as we look at the middle of the week, with all its plans and responsibilities, with all the sicknesses going around, I invite you to ask yourself today: what kind of care do I need?
Prayer: Holy Lord, You have invited us under Your wing. May we come to accept your invitation and find comfort in Your care fo us through others. Amen.
Comments are closed.