Bible reading Matthew 23: 37-39 The mother hen who keeps her brood safe.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
I didn’t understand what Jesus meant until one day some years ago now. On holiday, my husband and I took our young son to a holiday park where there was a small farm and a “Pet’s Corner”. It was a very hot August day and as it approached noon the heat was really intense. We were walking along a sandy track deciding it was time to go indoors for a drink when we saw some chickens. One hen in particular caught our eye because of the noise she was making – obviously she was she was calling to the young chicks scattering round her. Then something I’d never seen before happened, she carried on calling her chicks, but settled herself on a dust bowl just off the track. The chicks came to her and as they came, she spread her wings out and let the chicks in so they could be sheltered from the sunlight.
They would stay safe in that shade. She would be the one having to cope with the heat and dehydration. Her basic instinct was to protect her young, even if she suffered, even died.
This is what Jesus is talking about in our text for today. His instinct is that of the best parent, to protect and give himself self-sacrificially. The only thing that limits this love is our willingness to accept that sacrifice and come in under his wings of love.
Today let’s consider and give thanks to God for his parenting love as the best possible Father and Mother of us all.
Prayer:
Almighty God, great Parent of us all. Keep us aware of your constant and unchanging, saving love. Keep us as the apple of your eye; keep us in the shadow of your wing.
In Jesus’ name. Amen