For today's readings, click HERE.by Marion Hunner
Reading today’s scripture, I am reminded of a Lent when my kids were young. Our Lenten practice that year was to read from their Story Bible each night. We had the perfect Story Bible, because each one was just two pages long (fairly large print, with pictures!). We surely missed some of the nuances of the actual scripture, but it gave us a great big picture view. What we, as a family, took away from that Lenten practice, is that over and over again, God’s people turned away from God. Yet God was always there. God never gave up, and God is still there for us today. Even when we turn away, or we don’t listen, or we don’t pay attention. God is still there, wanting to be in relationship with us. One of the most important ideas that I tried to instill in my children when they were growing up is that our mistakes do not define us – what we do about those mistakes is what defines us. How do we move forward? Do we ask forgiveness? Do we try to right our wrongs? Do we turn back? Because God is always there, welcoming our return. Back in January we had a reading from Isaiah, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. God does not faint or grow weary;” I love the image that God does not grow weary, that no matter how many times we turn away, God is waiting for us to turn back. For today's readings click HERE.During this long season of Lent, through its gift of raw self-discovery, let us always remember to keep singing -- for our God is a God of Love. This video was recorded this February (not 2020) and features 9th and 10th grade students at White Bear Lake Area High School, some of whom are young Episcopalians belonging to St. John in the Wilderness parish.
Lyrics: My life flows on in endless song; Above earth's lamentation, I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn That hails a new creation Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing It finds an echo in my soul How can I keep from singing? What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior liveth What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that refuge clinging Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth How can I keep from singing? I lift my eyes, the cloud grows thin I see the blue above it And day by day this pathway smooths, Since first I learned to love it, The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart A fountain ever springing For all things are mine since I am his How can I keep from singing? No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that refuge clinging Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth How can I keep from singing? For today's readings click HERE.by Mary Pendergrass
Today is special to me since it is my granddaughter’s birthday, and two days before her mother’s (my oldest daughter) birthday. When my daughter was an older preteen and teen she struggled with the fact that her birthday fell in Lent and she generally gave up sweets. We finally decided we would call her birthday a feast day so we could celebrate with a cake. Now I think she has changed her outlook on how she treats Lent so it is no longer a time of denial but a time of contemplation and a time to make positive changes in one’s life. And this is how I have come to view the Lenten season also. For my granddaughter today, and for us all in this time of Lent, and the COVID pandemic which has so changed our lives in this past year, I would like to offer a poem, or blessing, from John O’Donohue’s To Bless the Space Between Us. For Solitude May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul. May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe. May you have respect for your individuality and difference. May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful and eternal happening. May you learn to see your self with the same delight, pride, and expectation with which God sees you in every moment. For today's readings click here.by Camille Huntley
Dear God, Today we give thanks for your everlasting presence, help and love. We ask for your help in reminding us that you are always there to guide our way. In your holy name. Amen. For today's readings click HEREby Madisen Crow Remember that life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who walk the way with us. So, be swift to love, and make haste to be kind. If these words sound familiar, it is because Fr. John used to say them as the final blessing of the Sunday morning services. Throughout the last year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all been reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of human connection. During this time of stress and uncertainty I have returned to these words often. This blessing is a reminder that even in the most uncertain times, we can control our words and actions, and should be actively seeking opportunities to support and serve our communities with kindness and grace.
For today's readings click HERE.by Ann Trapnell
Reflecting upon how I would observe Lent in 2021, I knew that one of the most common practices for observing Lent continues to be “Giving Up” or “Sacrificing”. It was during Lent 2020 that the true complexity of the Covid19 pandemic was revealed, and we all were required to Give Up or Sacrifice so much. How did I fill the extra time I was given during this extended Lenten season of sacrifice? Yes, I learned new things (crochet, zoom) and refocused on others (family, cooking, French) – but I also increased my daily worrying quotient dramatically. So, this Lent, I’ve decided to Give Up worrying. While I’m certain that does not sound like a sacrifice at all – in fact, who in their right mind wants to worry – I would argue that it is truly the hardest thing I have ever tried to give up. Worrying is the first thing I do when something is amiss in my life or the lives of those I love. Worrying is the first thing I do when I read the news. Worrying is what I do when I lay awake in bed at night. How will I react to so many things in life if worrying is off the table? Sacrificing worry means trusting God to carry me, guide me, support me and lead me through my troubles. To me, seeking the capacity to trust so deeply is what faith is all about. Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebration of Easter; fasting from worry seems to me to be the perfect way to prepare if it helps in my quest to trust and have faith. For today's readings click HERE.by Mia Huntley
Dear God, Today we give thanks for never ending love even throughout all our sins. We ask for help appreciating and loving our neighbors as ourselves. In your Holy Name. Amen. For today's readings click HERE.by the Monahan-Lucas Family
Put your love into the hearts of all your people oh Lord. Remind us daily that we are called to love each other as we love you. Please let our actions in this world, especially in this time of crisis, reflect the love you have given us. Enable us to share your love freely with others especially those in need. As we reflect on this simple field of grain build our commitment to be good stewards of our earth, so it can bring forth bounty to feed all people. May we share the earth’s bounty with each other graciously and with gladness in our hearts. Bless the boxes of cereal St. Christopher’s is collecting today to feed those in our community who are in need. May we rejoice in the call to serve and not to be served. For today's readings click HERE.by the Nortons
Lent and sacrifice The reading from today in the Psalms and Matthew verses talk about sacrifice. It also talks about service and being servants. Recently while watching our favorite series of Merlin we saw several episodes involving sacrifice. Merlin, the star and lowly servant repeatedly and secretly put his life at risk for Arthur, the prince and future king. In doing so he receives no recognition or honor for saving Arthur. Merlin quietly uses his talents for a cause greater than himself. We as Christians are called to use our gifts and talents in service of God’s Church. We do so, sometimes with little or no recognition of the sacrifice of time, money and effort involved. The lenten season is not only a time for service going forward, but a time to contemplate the past quiet service given by so many in our Church community. Matthew 23 “The greatest among you will be your servant.” Psalm 24 “Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me.” We are called to make sacrifices in our Christian lives that are not for earthly gain or recognition. For today's readings click HERE.by: Karla Cole
Boy, today’s gospel is a tough one. Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, don’t be judgy. Jesus goes on to say that we get no credit for loving the people that love us already. We need to love the hard cases. We have to love the people that offend us, that do mean or downright evil things to us, people that we just don’t like. Loving those people is really tough. And sometimes the hurt is deep enough, or harmful enough that it seems we just can’t get past it. I had a conversation with Fr. Tim Hodapp about exactly that several years ago. I was having difficulty forgiving someone who had pretty grievously wronged me, and I was carrying all that anger around like some prized possession. My anger didn’t bother that other person one whit, but it was tormenting me, and I knew I needed to let it go. But forgiveness? That was asking a lot. Fr. Tim simply suggested that I keep praying. And try praying just for the ability to forgive that person. Being in process, so to speak and let the forgiveness come in time. It’s easy to forgive someone for a little thing. You can do it on the spot. But the big things do take time, I think. You have to be in a place where you can let go of your own anger and resentment and see the big picture. Maybe even see the other person’s point of view. And I think that just doesn’t come easily. For me, it takes a lot of one-sided conversations with God until I’ve gotten it all out and can finally give God a word in edgewise. It’s a process. |
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