March 17, 2017 Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent-A

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28

Psalm 105

Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

“…the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”  Matthew 21:43

Lord, your parable about the hired hands who tried to steal your vineyard shows that there is no stopping your plan to grow your Kingdom among us.  Despite setbacks and evil plots to bring down your plan of salvation you will prevail.  Even death is powerless to prevent your Kingdom from moving toward its fulfillment.  Lord, I experience setbacks and disappointments in my walk with you.  At times my spiritual health can see dry and lifeless.  Or a sudden tragedy can knock me off the road.  You are always working to keep me moving and growing in faith.  You turn difficulties into opportunities.  You use challenges to make me stronger.  You fill up the emptiness of grief and loss.  When all seems too much for me you come through with sufficient grace to sustain me.  So I trust in you at all times to finish in me what you have started.  Amen.