March 24, 2023, Friday of the 4th Week of Lent-A

Wisdom 2:1, 12-22

Psalm 34

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

The Lord is close to the broken hearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed. Psalm 34:19

…he did not wish to travel to Judea because the Jews were trying to kill him.  John 7:1

Lord, you are very aware of what it’s like to have a broken heart. You’ve been there, done that.  You were rejected, scorned, and hated by many when you walked among us. The very people who you came to redeem sought your life. They even accused you of being a friend of Satan.  How it must have hurt you deeply to be treated this way by your children. You were too ordinary to be a Messiah. You were too close to home to be their savior and redeemer.  Because you’ve experienced a crushed spirit firsthand you can sympathize with us. Lord, I so need you at all times, good and bad. You want to be my consolation when I am hurting from grief over a lost loved one, a child gone astray or a personal disaster because you care for me and want to heal me. Deliver me, Lord, from fear and help me to trust that you are nearer to me in times of trouble. Hear my prayer today and heal my broken heart. It’s so good to know you are with me.  Amen