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Image: "Hen and Fox," (20th century), Peter Koenig, painting (detail). United Kingdom.

Theme of the Day

Though we sometimes doubt and often resist God’s desire to protect and save us, our God persists. In holy baptism, God’s people have been called and gathered into a God-initiated relationship that will endure. Lent provides the church with a time and a tradition in which to seek God’s face again. Lent provides another occasion to behold the God of our salvation in the face of the Blessed One who “comes in the name of the Lord.”

The Collect for Sunday

Hope beyond all human hope, you promised Abraham and Sarah descendants as numerous as the stars. You promise light and salvation in the midst of darkness and despair, and redemption to a world that will not listen. Gather us in tenderness and open our ears to your word, so that we may live faithfully and confidently in your promises. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer Intentions

The prayers of the church are offered especially:

  • for peace in the world and especially for the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine;
  • for refugees who flee war and violence;
  • for the needs of the world, especially at this time global pandemic;
  • for safety in the midst of widespread reopenings;
  • for those who are particularly vulnerable to this virus;
  • for those who are sick and those awaiting surgeries postponed;
  • for those who are isolated and anxious;
  • for the healing of racial inequality, prejudice, bigotry, systemic racism, injustice, and hatred;
  • for all who grieve for lost children, for the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and for generational healing;
  • for those who are homeless;
  • for all those who mourn, who are lonely, or suffer from depression;
  • for all those who work for reconciliation and the common good;
  • for Elizabeth our Queen and all those set in authority under her, for Justin, the Prime Minister of Canada and all members of parliament; Doug, the Premier of Ontario and all members of the legislature; Fred, the mayor of Hamilton and those who serve city council;
  • for the First Nations of this land, for elders, chiefs, and band councils; for all in civil authority and for all citizens that we might work together for the common good;
  • for the whole church: for Susan, our Diocesan Bishop; for David and Brian, our priests; for Tom, our intern; for all bish­ops, priests and dea­cons; and for all the bap­tized: that God may accomplish God's work in and through us for the sake of the world;
  • for all for whom we have been asked to pray;
  • for those who are dying and all those who have departed from this life and are at rest, especially Beth (Karen Southon's mother).

In our cycles of prayer:

  • With the worldwide Anglican Communion, we pray for The Anglican Church of Melanesia.
  • In our diocese, we pray for St. James, Fergus, The Reverend Kevin Cull, Priest-in-Charge, and the people of that parish.
  • In our neighbourhood we pray for St Joseph Roman Catholic Parish, Fr. Jim Link, C.R., Pastor; and the people of that parish.
  • In our parish cycle of prayer we pray for Pam, Wendy, Alvaro, Koko, Kai, Ken, Penny, John and Deborah.

Prayer requests to be included on the following Sunday can be submitted here by the Thursday morning before.

The Readings for Sunday

First Reading: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

God promises a childless and doubting Abram that he will have a child, that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars, and that the land of Canaan will be their inheritance. Abram’s trust in God is sealed with a covenant-making ceremony, a sign of God’s promise.

1After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
  7Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” 8But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
  12As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
  17When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”

Psalm: Psalm 27

In the day of trouble, God will give me shelter. (Ps. 27:5)

 1The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then | shall I fear?
  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I | be afraid?
 2When evildoers close in against me to de- | vour my flesh,
  they, my foes and my enemies, will stum- | ble and fall.
 3Though an army encamp against me, my heart | will not fear.
  Though war rise up against me, my trust will | not be shaken.
 4One thing I ask of the Lord; one | thing I seek;
  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek God | in the temple. R
 5For in the day of trouble God will | give me shelter,
  hide me in the hidden places of the sanctuary, and raise me high up- | on a rock.
 6Even now my head is lifted up above my enemies | who surround me.
  Therefore I will offer sacrifice in the sanctuary, sacrifices of rejoicing; I will sing and make music | to the Lord.
 7Hear my voice, O Lord, | when I call;
  have mercy on me and | answer me.
 8My heart speaks your message— | “Seek my face.”
  Your face, O Lord, | I will seek. R
 9Hide not your face from me, turn not away from your ser- | vant in anger.
  Cast me not away—you have been my helper; forsake me not, O God of | my salvation.
 10Though my father and my moth- | er forsake me,
  the Lord will | take me in.
 11Teach me your | way, O Lord;
  lead me on a level path, because of | my oppressors.
 12Subject me not to the will | of my foes,
  for they rise up against me, false witnesses | breathing violence.
 13This I believe—that I will see the goodness | of the Lord
  in the land | of the living!
 14Wait for the Lord| and be strong.
  Take heart and wait | for the Lord! R

Second Reading: Philippians 3:17--4:1

Although Paul’s devotion to Christ has caused him to be persecuted, he does not regret the course he has taken. Writing from prison, he expresses confidence in a glorious future and encourages other Christians to follow in his footsteps.

17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 4:1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35

Neither Herod’s plotting nor Jerusalem’s resistance to maternal love will deter Jesus from his sacrificial mission.

31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus,] “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32He 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. 33Yet 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.’ 34Jerusalem, 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! 35See, 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.’ ”

This Week

  • Sunday (13): The Second Sunday in Lent (The Lord's Day).
  • Monday (14): Lenten Feria (day of discipline and self-denial).
  • Tuesday (15): Lenten Feria (day of discipline and self-denial).
  • Wednesday (16): Lenten Feria (day of discipline and self-denial).
  • Thursday (17): Patrick, Missionary Bishop in Ireland, 641 (Memorial, day of discipline and self-denial).
  • Friday (18): Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Teacher of the Faith, 386 (Commenoration, day of discipline and self-denial).
  • Saturday (19): Saint Joseph of Nazareth (Holy Day, day of discipline and self-denial).
  • Sunday (20): The Third Sunday in Lent (The Lord's Day).

For readings appropriate to the day visit here.