Date: Thursday, March 7
Contributor: John Lawyer Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/ThursThirdWeek.html Today’s reading in Luke 11 includes the famous passage, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I cannot help but think of Lincoln’s famous ‘house divided’ speech delivered at Springfield in 1858, and what followed a couple of years later. I have been feeling very ‘summer of 1860-ish’ myself of late; a pivotal election looms a few month away and who knows what will come after. Clearly we are at a critical juncture in our national life, and more deeply divided than at any time I can remember. But we also have a mighty instrument in our hands, the power of prayer, and that is where I have been trying to put my energies. “Please continue to heal my inner eye that I may stop searching for things to worry about; let me replace fretting with thanks and praise. I surrender all my efforts at managing that which is beyond my control, teach me instead how to relax and receive. Let me do my part well and faithfully and then commit the rest into Your gracious hands; for I ask it through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Amen.
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Date: Wednesday, Contributor: None Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/WedThirdWeek.html We did not ask anyone to write a reflection for the Wednesdays in Lent in hopes that we will have enough participants to fill the other days. Please ponder this prayer. This prayer is testimony that men and women are capable of much mercy and forgiveness even the amidst an ocean of cynicism and doubt. It reflects a depth of spirit almost beyond imagining. Written on a piece of wrapping paper, this prayer was found near the body of a dead child in Ravensbrück Camp. It’s estimated 92,000 women and children perished there during the Holocaust. Ravensbrück Prayer: O Lord, remember not only the men and women of good will but also those of evil will. But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted upon us; remember the fruits we have borne thanks to this suffering – our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of all this; and when they come to the judgement, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness. Amen. Karl Robert Bodek (1905–1942) and Kurt Conrad Löw (1914–1980) One Spring,1941 Date: Tuesday, March 5
Contributor: Mike Sirany Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/TuesdayThirdWeek.html Song of the Three Young Men 2-4, 11-20a (from the Apocrypha) Matthew 18:21-35 Psalm 25: 3-10 All three of the above readings are reminders of how completely dependent we are on God’s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. The first, taken from the apocryphal reading added to the book of Daniel in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Hebrew Scripture) is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise for God’s saving of three faithful Hebrew men from the burning furnace Nebuchadnezzar ordered them thrown into for not worshipping his golden statue. The Psalm speaks to God’s graciousness and mercy in forgiving the sins of those who remain steadfast in keeping HIS covenant, “All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness…” (9) and “remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness” (6). The third reading from Matthew is both a reminder of God’s generous forgiveness, and an injunction to show the same love and mercy to others that God shows to us. When Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive someone who sins against us (“As many as seven times?”) Jesus effectively removes any limit to showing mercy by replying “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.” He then tells the story of the king’s slave who cannot pay a huge debt, begs for forgiveness, and in the king’s compassion, is forgiven the debt. When that slave is later confronted by a fellow slave who owed him a much smaller debt, he refused to forgive his debt and had him thrown into prison. When the king heard about this, he was angry that the slave he showed great mercy towards could not do the same for another, so he cancelled the offer of debt forgiveness. Jesus concludes the story by saying “So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Reading Jesus’ conclusion can be a bit scary for me! God in HER generous mercy will forgive our sins, but if we do not act in the same compassion and mercy towards our fellow brothers and sisters, God will rescind the forgiveness of our sins until we have paid the price. This might suggests that God’s forgiveness of our sins rests on our generosity and compassion towards others. Who among us has not on occasion failed in that area??? What also comes to mind are other scripture readings that suggest that for those who are forgiven a great debt, the result is a great love; the implication being that God’s first loving us is what allows us to then love others. I have always taken Jesus’ words “to those who have been given much, much will be expected” seriously. I know I have many blessings that others throughout the world lack. With that comes an obligation that I cannot easily dismiss. One of my Lenten hopes is that the love, compassion, and mercy I have received so abundantly from God can be better reflected in the life I live. Rather than fearing God’s punishment for not living up to God’s standards, I humbly plead and ask for God’s help, to let me better reflect the love I receive from God into the world around me. ate: Monday, March 4
Contributor: Karla Cole Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/MondayThirdWeek.html The psalm from today's lectionary is Psalm 42, a frequent inspiration for composers through the centuries. The image of the deer longing for cooling waters intrigued me as a child and gives me solace as an adult. Here are some very different settings of Psalm 42 from music history. The first is very old, by the master of Renaissance polyphony, Giovanni Palestrina (d.1594). The text is in Latin and has a beautiful, long-phrased and meditative quality that I find very soothing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU7k-hiiVjw Next is a setting of the psalm that comes from a larger work by the German composer, Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). This performance is in German and accompanied by an orchestra. The lush Romanticism is a stark contrast to the a cappella texture of the Palestrina - but no less moving. Our own section leaders are preparing this piece now to sing in Holy Week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4duwa_rd7Dk You may remember the 80s praise chorus "As the deer pants for the water" - this is not that. But I found this performance by American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly quite moving. She captures the psalmist's pleading and frustration without losing any of the comforting message of the text. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGgsmCEgf4w And for anyone who has gotten this far and feels the urge to sing the OG praise chorus, here it is with soothing strings and lyrics in case you don't quite remember them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZv3jzOTE70 Date: Saturday, March 2
Contributor: Madisen Crow Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/SatSecondWeek.html The Psalm in today's lectionary readings is Psalm 103, which is the scripture for hymn #411 in our 1982 hymnal. For my reflection, I've chosen to share a beautiful recording of a portion of that hymn, O Bless the Lord, My Soul. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vauscta8js Date: Friday, March 1
Contributor: Karen Hartman Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/FridaySecondWeek.html RESTORE Lent should be more than a time of fasting. It should also be a joyous season of feasting. Lent is a time to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is a season to turn to God. May we: Fast from judging others; feast on the goodness in them. Fast from emphasis on difference; feast on unity of all life. Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light. Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God. Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from worry; feast on divine order. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives. Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer. Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness. Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others. Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth. Fast from discouragement; feast on hope. Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift. Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm. Fast from suspicion; feast on truth. Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire. Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence. Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that supports. Amen. – William Arthur Wald Date: Thursday, February29
Contributor: Ross Ackerman Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/ThursSecondWeek.html True Wealth In halls of splendor, a wealthy man dwelled, His coffers brimmed; his status proudly held. Yet at his gate, in destitution's plight, Lay Lazarus, shunned from the rich man's sight. His body marred, with sores and tears, Lazarus sought solace, amidst his fears. But the rich man, blinded by his gain, Turned a blind eye, to Lazarus' pain. For worldly wealth had clouded his sight, His heart closed off to compassion's light. He dined in luxury, heedless of the poor, While Lazarus languished at his door. But lo, in death, their roles were reversed, The rich man found torment; his wealth disbursed. While Lazarus, in Abraham's embrace, Found solace and comfort, in heavenly grace. For in the end, it was not gold that saved, Nor riches amassed, in vaults engraved. But compassion and empathy, virtues divine, That uplifted Lazarus, in God's design. So let us heed this parable's call, To embrace compassion, to stand tall. For in acts of kindness, true wealth is found, In empathy's embrace, love knows no bound. Date: Wednesday, February 28 Contributor: None Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/WedSecondWeek.html We did not ask anyone to write a reflection for the Wednesdays in Lent in hopes that we will have enough participants to fill the other days. Please reflect on this prayer. There is a repetitive phrase in our Ash Wednesday gospel, “the Father who sees in secret, who will reward you.”(Matthew 6). Sometimes we feel stuck, bored, impatient, even discouraged by a lack of “progress” in our faith journey. Interior work happens in secret and is often unbeknownst to us. Maybe if we knew, we might get puffed up, or attempt to control of the process. Our rational mind might try to squelch the Mystery. Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk authored many books and struggled with a lack of unknowing. His prayer has helped generations of Jesus’ followers. My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. “The Merton Prayer” from Thoughts in Solitude Copyright © 1956, 1958 by The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani Date: Tuesday, February27
Contributor: Lyn Lawyer Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/TuesdaySecondWeek.html Today is the feast day of George Herbert, an English orator, poet, and priest in the 1600’s who spent many years as the rector of St. Peter’s, Fugglestone just outside of Salisbury, where he was well loved. His story is well worth studying to learn what being a servant of Christ is all about. Look him up in Wikipedia. Here is one of my favorite poems of his. Enjoy and ponder! LOVE LOVE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin. But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lack’d anything. ‘A guest,’ I answer’d, ‘worthy to be here:’ Love said, ‘You shall be he.’ ‘I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on Thee.’ Love took my hand and smiling did reply, ‘Who made the eyes but I?’ ‘Truth, Lord; but I have marr’d them: let my shame Go where it doth deserve.’ ‘And know you not,’ says Love, ‘Who bore the blame?’ ‘My dear, then I will serve.’ ‘You must sit down,’ says Love, ‘and taste my meat.’ So I did sit and eat. Date: Monday, February26
Contributor: Barb Hovey Lectionary Link https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/MondaySecondWeek.html In today’s Gospel reading, Luke quotes Jesus as giving instruction not to judge or condemn others but to offer forgiveness. This made me think of the Prayer of St. Francis. I found that this prayer was probably written around 1912 and published in a French Catholic book of devotions. It became attributed to St Francis because the devotional was published by the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church. This prayer for peace has become a favorite prayer for many. Both Mother Teresa and Desmond Tutu said it was part of their daily devotions. I would like to offer this prayer as a Lenten reflection. Lord make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. |
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