Why did God make foxes?
I was asked this week by a child whose family owns some chickens, “Why did God make foxes?”
They are an animal that we are naturally suspicious of. For those who own livestock, they are a threat. To those who live in urban areas, they are scavengers, a nuisance, and yet they are beautiful. Part of God’s wondrous creation and the circle of life and death.
This Sunday we hear about Jesus calling Herod a fox, an insult that would have been noted by the authorities and only increased the threat to his life. Jesus never falters however, his integrity was his strength in the face of those who relied on their ability to be violent.
Sadly, that violence is still with us today, as we see it playing out in Ukraine and Russia. So this week, may we pray for integrity, pray for peace, sharing in the grief of those who have been displaced and standing up for those things that we know to be true and right.
Quotes of the week
So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians 6: 9-10
“Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.”
Martin Luther King
Readings for Sunday
Psalm 27
Of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
One thing I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
‘Come,’ my heart says, ‘seek his face!’
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
If my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will take me up.
Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they are breathing out violence.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Luke 13: 31-end
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘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 away from 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.” ’
Readings for the week
Monday 14th March Psalm 79: 8-14, Luke 6:36-38
Tuesday 15th March Psalm 50:8-end, Matt 23:1-12
Wednesday 16th March Psalm 31, Matt 20:17-28
Thursday 17th March, (St. Patrick’s Day) Jeremiah 17: 5-10, Luke 16: 19-end
Friday 18th March, Psalm 105: 16-22, Matt 21: 33-43, 45-46 Saturday 19th March, 2 Samuel 7: 4-16, Matt 1: 18-end
