Reflection on the Word in our Worship
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it ton their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jeremiah 31:33).
The heart, in Hebrew, is not so much the seat of the emotions, but rather of the will. The heart is where you do your thinking, choosing and deciding. It is the inner organ that shapes the outer direction and intentions of your life. Jeremiah has had a lot to say about the heart in all these senses. And that, says God, is where he will put his law.
The Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
Old Testament Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:10-15 (after the playlist below)
New Testament Lesson: Hebrews 4:14–5:10
Gospel Lesson: John 12:20-36
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below to listen to Incarnation's Playlist)
Psalm 51:10-15
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence, *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
12 O give me the comfort of your help again, *
and sustain me with your willing Spirit.
13 Then shall I teach your ways unto the wicked, *
and sinners shall return unto you.
14 Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, the God of my salvation, *
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, *
and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
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