Matariki
Readings for this week June 24 - 29
This week, rather than reflecting on a different passage each day, we have shared a weekly reflection and encourage you to repeat a practice each day. As a way of communing with God. Feel free to use the questions and prayer below as a guide for your time.
Click here for a pdf of this week’s readings
Weekly Reflection – Remembering God’s faithfulness
Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
Scripture Reading – Luke 22:7-20
This week as a nation we celebrate Matariki (the Māori new year). One of the things we are learning about this festival is that it is a time to reflect and remember things past and look forward to the coming year/season often over kai (food).
This reminds us of another festival in our scriptures, Passover – where the Hebrew people remembered the story of the exodus. They remembered how God rescued them from slavery in Egypt and looked forward to a time when God would rescue them again. A key component of this festival was a symbolic meal. Jesus then expanded on this idea when leading this meal saying instead “…do this in remembrance of me.” Today we call this communion.
Jesus used the elements of the meal to teach about his coming death and what it would mean. This teaching was not a theological lecture about the kingdom, a professional development workshop for prospective followers, or a list of instructions and tasks he wanted them to carry out. Here he gave them a meal, a table to gather around, bread to break, and wine to drink in remembrance of his death and in anticipation of what was to come after, even though they couldn’t yet see it.
Daily Practice: Remembrance
Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
The practice of remembrance is incredibly powerful. Strahan Colman (a writer, folk musician and spiritual director from Aotearoa, New Zealand) writes this poem:
“Teach me to remember, Father; make my mind a store house of past promises kept, love lavished and hope fulfilled – so that I can be a prophet to my own present, a watchman on the walls of my own still night.”
Remembering God’s faithfulness speaks to our present situations, whatever they may be. Realising that God has been faithful helps us know that he is faithful. Knowing that God has been with us reminds us that he is with us in the present.
Also, knowing God’s past faithfulness reminds us that he will be faithful in the future as well. That the same Jesus is making all things new and one day we will be a part of a fully redeemed world where there will be no more tears or pain (Revelation 21:4).
Questions:
- When you take communion, what thoughts and feelings does it evoke in you? How does it bring you closer to God, to others, and the kingdom?
- Can you recall a time when you experienced God’s faithfulness?
- This could be a good opportunity to say thanks to God for all he has done
- Reflect on your present circumstances… is there anything you’d like to invite God into? Knowing he’s been faithful.
- Think of your future hopes… Where would you like to see God, in our lives, in our world? Spend some time praying for those things.
Prayers:
E Te Atua,
The Bible shows us how, through the ages, You have made Yourself known.
And now, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we see how, through great cost and love, You bring new life to all who seek You.
We don’t need to look far.
When we look up at the heavens, we see Your handiwork.
When we stoop to harvest the fruits of the earth, we’re aware of Your provision. Matariki reminds us that when we look back, to those who went before us, we learn we’re not alone, our efforts aren’t ours alone.
We remember that we stand on others shoulders, and so we’re reminded of the importance of family.
Jesus, You have brought us into your family, and it’s much wider and more diverse than we imagine.
Teach us to love others as You do.
Teach us to be grateful for what You have generously given us.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
We celebrate You for Your goodness to us!
Amine