Ash Wednesday                              February 9

Ash Wednesday – February 9

Luke 18: 9 – 14

He told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get. But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”   

Ps. 32, 143; Jonah 3: 1 – 4:11: Heb. 12: 1 - 14

Jesus tells another short parable in this Gospel reading for today. In it, he is giving us a sort of ‘Litmus test.’ He is really asking us to choose which of two characters with whom we identify. One of the characters is a Pharisee, who had status, and who was highly respected in his culture. The other character was the tax collector, or “publican.” He was the modern-day equivalent of a ‘mobster,’ and was highly despised and hated primarily because he ‘ripped off’ everybody! But, in this story, it was he whom Jesus cited as winning the ‘humility award.’ I suspect that most of us would like to think of ourselves as having the humility of the publican, or tax collector. In my deepest heart, however, I know that I am most often like the Pharisee. I make generous allowances for my own faults, sins and shortcomings, but am rather quick to throw down the “penalty towel” for others, whose sins I can rattle off quickly. (Oh, I know that I do probably have some faults, but they are not as great as those of others!). Besides, I do so many good things! “Here, let me name them for you, Jesus! I do this, and that, and that, and at least I am not like him or her, or etc. …”  (Jesus told this story to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and regarded others with contempt).

I’m afraid I have flunked your ‘Litmus Test,’ Jesus.

Fr. Emile Joffrion

Thursday after Ash Wednesday       February 10

February 10

John 1:29-34

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.’  I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as dove from heaven, and it remained on him.  I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’  And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

Ps. 37: 1 – 18; Deut. 7: 6 – 11; Titus 1: 1 - 6

 Growing up, my understanding of the “sin of the world” Jesus came to take away was Adam’s sin, Original sin. Understanding creation in the only terms I knew, namely biblical terms, I could understand the sin to be that of disobedience. Later, as I grew in critical thinking, I considered the act of Adam, “eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil”, and wondered why this should be a sin.

As my scientific knowledge base expanded, I came to view creationism as incorrect as a literal understanding of the origin of man, but still tried to see the story as myth with meaning. I had difficulty in college grasping the metaphor of the tree, because, for me, seeking knowledge wasn’t sinful, nor was gaining the ability to differentiate Good from Evil. It seemed these were worthy goals for all men attempting to grow intellectually and spiritually.

If Jesus came to restore the childlike innocence and “ignorance” of the Garden, it appeared to me that He came too late. The genie was already out of the bottle. Perhaps the Sin was not knowledge per se, but the fact that, metaphorically, the tree only imparted partial, or incomplete, knowledge. Recall the words of Alexander Pope, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, drink deep, or taste not, the Pierian Spring”.

Keeping with the metaphor, then, Jesus came to take away the sin of insufficient knowledge by teaching the way to true and complete knowledge. But complete knowledge of what? Early second century Gnostic Christians believed that self knowledge was what Jesus taught and that salvation could only come through discovering the Divine spark within us. This would lead us on the path of self understanding and reveal to us our true nature and inner divine spark.

Christian Humanists well into the Twentieth Century, such as the Anglican priest Anthony Freeman writing in God In Us, attest to the presence of God within us. They would argue that the concept of God as “other”, or clearly distinct from and separate from us, has made God “too small.”

The teachings of Jesus are consistent with this understanding of the metaphor. Consider the two commandments given by Him:  Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself.

Before one can love others, he must first learn self love, which requires knowledge of self. Love of neighbor becomes second nature to us when we realize, through this self knowledge, that we all possess the divine spark or spirit and are thus connected, one to the other, in a very real and spiritual way.

Love of the unknowable God becomes easier as we learn to perceive God not only transcendently, beyond the limits of our knowledge, but also immanently, present and discoverable within each of us.

We can then claim oneness with God and come to the realization that the “kingdom of God” is now. Jesus taught this.  He also taught that our task was to uncover the Godliness within ourselves and reflect it upon the earth. In this way, we can ensure salvation, not just for ourselves, but for all mankind. Then truly we all can be called “Sons of God.”

Mike Caruso

Friday after Ash Wednesday             February 11

February 11

John 1: 35 – 42

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following and said to them, “What do you seek?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).

Ps. 31; Deut.7: 12 – 16; Titus 2: 1 – 15

After reading the Gospel lesson for today a couple of times, I was left wondering how I could use this short passage as a springboard for a meditation. It seemed conclusive in itself, containing little “action” or teaching from Jesus. The other lectionary readings seemed even more difficult to work with. Consulting some Gospel commentaries, I was reminded that the author of this Gospel did not intend to present a chronological account of Jesus’ ministry; rather, his aim was to synthesize Jesus’ teaching and actions in a metaphorical way which reflected his own (the author’s) theological and spiritual interpretation of the significance of Jesus’ life. Seen in this way, three short phrases from the reading seem to give the essence of what it means to be called to the Christian way of life.

What do you seek? This is more than Jesus’ inquiry as to why the men were following him. It addresses our search for completeness and our desire to find meaning in the midst of perplexity. It even speaks to our yearning to see death as something other than a termination of our existence.

Where are you staying? The disciples seem to offer an odd, evasive response to Jesus’ question. It is actually the perfect response when understood in the same sense as the first phrase. What are we seeking in our prayers, worship and contemplation, but to experience God? The Greek verb translated here as “staying” means “to dwell or abide.”  To dwell or abide in an unfolding experience of God, I think, is the ultimate goal of the Christian journey.

Come and see. Finally, Jesus offers hospitality to his followers. To me, all these centuries later, the hospitality Jesus offers consists of his putting a human face on God, making God an entity we can trust and be in relationship with. Jesus invites us to see the love and compassion of God for ourselves.

Jeffrey Dortch

Saturday after Ash Wednesday            February 12

Lent 1-Monday                             February 14

February 14                                                                                     Hebrews 2: 11 – 18

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee.” And again, “I will put my trust in him,” and again, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned but with the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. Ps. 41, 52; Deut. 8: 11 – 20; John 2: 1 - 12

In his letter to the Hebrews, the writer emphasizes that Jesus was not merely a god or an angel or a spirit of some kind, but a human being.  That was “the point,” so to speak.  He was made to live a human life, endure human suffering, and die a human death—to exist among us as one of us.  He served (and serves) to exemplify human perfection, and to gently stir us to aspire to that perfection.  Perhaps Jesus’s death did exonerate us from our sins, but I think it would achieve very little if we continued to lead equally sinful lives.  Jesus was more than just his death.  More effectual than his death were his life and ministry, in terms of quality of life and our collective humanity:  Jesus taught us to live guided by love and forgiveness, by equality and tolerance.  He preached that every human being was worthy of salvation and capable of achieving it – in essence, that every human being could be like him.

In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesies that the young virgin Mary will name her son Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.”  To me, Jesus was not necessarily the solitary “enlightened one” and the embodiment of God, but a reminder to all that God exists in every soul, that God is with us.

John says, in his sermon in 1 John, “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.”  He goes on to say, “If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us,” and later, “We love because he first loved us.”  Given the passage from Hebrews (and that today is Valentine’s Day), I find John’s words to be very relevant.  To love God, and even to love Jesus, as a man who lived and died 2000 years ago, can be abstract and hard to direct.  But we can love God and Jesus by loving one another, and to love one another is tangible, it is simple and true, and it is the best and most important thing that any of us can possibly achieve.

Alice Evans

Lent 1-Tuesday                                February 15

February 15

Hebrews 3: 1 – 11

Therefore holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. He was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in God’s house. Yet Jesus has been counted worthy as much more glory than Moses as the builder of a house has more honor than the house. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ was faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if we hold fast our confidence and pride in our hope. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, do no harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray In their hearts; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

Ps. 45; Deut. 9: 4 – 12; John 2: 13 - 22

The heading on this page in my Oxford Bible is “Exhortation to heed the voice of God.”  That seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it?  We all want to heed the voice of God.  Not many of us wake up in the morning saying, “Oh, it’s Tuesday -- I think I’ll disobey the voice of God today.” 

So the question really is not:  Do we want to heed the voice of God?  Of course we do.  The question is: How do we know what the voice of God is saying? 

We read the scripture, listen to our preachers, study the thoughts of our scholars, and pray and meditate communally and privately.  We use our God-given brains to make lists and prioritize options and talk it over with those whose judgment we trust.  We think God’s voice is coming in pretty clearly. But sometimes we get it wrong.  We thought we were heeding the voice of God, when events occurred that showed we’d made a mistake.  We realize the battery had run down in our spiritual hearing aid, and we hadn’t caught it in time to hear everything that was being said.  In the worst of cases, our deafness has caused pain, anger, fear for ourselves or others.

So how do we react when that path we thought God had told us to follow leads off a cliff?  Isn’t it all too human to blame ourselves, or others, or God, saying: “What an idiot I am!  How could I have missed those signals?” or “Why didn’t you speak more clearly?  How can I trust you again?” That’s what this passage addresses: our tendency to blame, to accuse, to buckle on our own emotional armor and then strike out at all around us when in spite of our best efforts, things go awry.

The writer warns us not to harden our hearts in rebellion, not to swear in anger, not to turn away from the living God.  Verses 12 and 13, are more specific still about how to handle these situations:  “…exhort one another every day…so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Through this writer the voice of God here is saying – as best as I can make out – that we need to watch out for and watch over each other, because we all hear God’s voice imperfectly.  To remedy this, we need to be faithful to each other, to hold each other firmly within the house of God.  If we hold each other in love of Christ, then we will hear the clearer voice of God together, the voice bringing “the confidence and the pride that belong to hope.” And we will be able to help each other heed it.

Lea Ellison

Lent 1-Wednesday                           February 16

February 16

John 2: 23 – 3:15

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs which he did; but Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he know all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man. Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can this be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? Truly, truly I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”                                               

Ps. 119 49 – 72; Deut 9: 13 – 21; Heb. 3: 12 - 19

Have you ever been called “stiff-necked?”  Outside of the orthopedic clinic, I believe the Bible is the only place I’ve seen that term used.  It is not complimentary; it means “stubborn.”  Moses went around calling all manner of people stiff-necked, and so did Jesus. 

In our lesson from John’s Gospel, Jesus was decidedly put out with Nicodemus for being stiff-necked and thick-headed when he was trying to explain the requirement of being born again: “You are a great teacher in Israel, and you don’t know this? …None of you is willing to accept our message.” I can just imagine Jesus throwing up his hands and turning in disgust, much the same as I did when one of my daughters kept telling me at an early age that she had to “make my own mistakes.”  Which turned out to be not such a bad thing.  She made mistakes, learned from them, and now is a fine young woman facing her own growing children who put the shoe on yet the other foot.

Hopefully our stiff-neckedness will come only in phases from which we will recover.  We then will find relief from the strain of stubbornness.  We can allow ourselves to relax into the image of God, to be born again as Moses and Jesus would have it.

Bill Goodson

Lent 1-Thurdsday                            February 17

February 17

John 3: 16 – 21

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

Ps.50; Deut. 9: 23 – 10:5; Heb. 4: 1 – 10

This passage is certainly one of the most familiar and comforting in all the Gospels. For believing Christians, the promise of everlasting life is one that sustains and radiates hope even in the darkest hours, but what about non-believers? John tells us that “whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned.”

The notion of condemnation of non-believers is one with which I have struggled for a long time. It is not one that I find comfortable or consistent with the all loving, all inclusive God I know and worship. But it is not God who condemns. It is we. We condemn ourselves, by our evil ways, our mean thoughts, our hard hearts, lack of compassion and negligence of the needs of others. We have choice. We can choose the light as shown through Christ and consent to the love of God, or we can choose darkness which denies His love and prevents us from union with God and the world.

Finally, I believe that the everlasting life about which John speaks is more than afterlife. It is here and now and universally available to all who seek God by living the truth. The assurance is that God did not send His son to condemn, but to save the whole world is the essence of John’s message.

Jo Ann Moorman

Lent 1-Friday                                 February 18

February 18

John 3: 22 – 36

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized. For John had not yet been put in prison. Now a discussion arose between John’s disciples and a Jew over purifying. And they came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. He must increase, but I must decrease.” He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony; he who receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit; the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.

Ps. 40, 54 Deut. 10: 12 – 22; Heb 4: 11 - 16

The season of Lent is a time of unique quiet in the church year. We are encouraged to turn inward and examine those things in our hearts and minds which may have caused estrangement from God and fractures in our relationships with our neighbors. We can ask ourselves why it is that we have sometimes felt separated from God, from our neighbors, from members of our families, and perhaps even from our friends. I have found it useful to ask myself, "What part does my own heart play in these separations?" Lent can be a time of preparation, of making our hearts ready to be reconciled with God and cleared of the obstacles that keep us separated from our neighbors. In clearing our pathways to God and to others, we need to know which obstructions we ourselves have erected.

When John the Baptist clarifies who he is by saying, "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who comes from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth," he is speaking of our nature as well as his own. Because of my own humanity, I speak and live as one "from the earth", as one who senses and feels and experiences in an earthly manner. My experience and my knowledge are, because of my nature, earthly, and thus limited.

When I consider the fractures and cracks which might exist between me and others (and between me and God), I often find that I have judged people and situations not as though I am from the earth, but as though I am from the heavens, as though I (certainly!) know enough to determine how things ought to be and what a just world looks like. I judge others’ degree of guilt or innocence, their worthiness or unworthiness; I judge whether or not I am due an apology, and whether others should have known better and should have done better. John reminds me that it is only He who comes from above who is above all. When I jealously guard forgiveness and love in my heart until another had admitted his guilt or unworthiness, until I get an apology, until the other ‘makes good,’ there is an obstruction in my heart, one that separates me from my neighbor and from God.

Let us prepare our hearts to receive the grace that is promised to us in the resurrection, making clear the pathways in our own hearts which lead us toward God and our neighbors.

Laura Brown

Lent 1-Saturday                            February 19

February 19

Hebrews 5:1 – 10

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also, Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee”; as he says also in another place, “Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.                                            

Ps. 55; Deut. 11: 8 – 24; John 4: 1 - 26

After prayerful reading of this scripture, my first thoughts were of how God calls people to ordained ministry – what their job is as leaders, nurturers, and teachers to the congregation.  But somehow that seemed too removed from my own personal experience.  Then one day I was listening to a song, which was released in the summer of 2002.  I realized how this passage of scripture touches me personally.  What is my ministry in the world – what do I believe God has led me to do?  I believe that I am God’s instrument through my work as a therapist with children.  I believe that I am to love them, bringing healing to them and sometimes to their families as well.  I listened to that song over and over that summer as I worked with some of the neediest and most broken children. There was so much pain and hurt.  So often those who are in great pain lack trust and will act out more to provoke those they are beginning to trust, pushing away those who are trying to help.  The response to their acting out often leads to rejection or negative response to them.  That is their experience in the world.  And somehow that rejection allows them to stay safe behind the walls they have built.  They are still so cut off from the love, nurturing, and acceptance they desperately want and need.  So what I do over and over is join them in their darkness and work toward guiding them to the light.  For some it will be a lifelong process and I will be in their lives for only a brief time.  But I have experienced those glimpses of healing where I truly believe God has used me to bring His light and healing to another.  I must constantly work at keeping my “ego” out.  This is not my work – this is God using me when I allow it – when I stay in tune with Him.  I accept my humanness, my shortcomings, and missteps.  But it is an act of profound love that I give, as I know God also gives to me through others.  So I ask of you – what is your ministry?  It may be a myriad of daily activities/ actions.  But don’t ever underestimate God’s power.  Stay close to Him through prayer and reading His word and your love for Him will grow.  From that core of love, God will work through you to bring healing and love to others. 

Dear God keep us mindful that love is to be at the core of each of our actions.  Allow us to see what you would have us to do, to be your instrument in the world, “Healing their pain.”(*)     Amen

Brenda Chynoweth

* Hart, C.  (2002).  Prayer  (Recorded by Celine Dion).  On A New Day Has Come, (CD).  New York, NY:  Epic Records. 

Lent 2-Monday                                February 21

February 21

Jeremiah 1: 11 – 19

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?”  And I said, “I see a rod of almond.”  Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”  The word of the LORD came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?”  And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.”  Then the LORD said to me, “Out of the north evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.  For lo, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, says the LORD; and they shall come and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of the Jerusalem, against all it s walls round about, and against all the cities of Judah.  And I will utter my judgments against them, for all their wickedness in forsaking me; they have burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands.  But you, gird up your loins; arise, and say to them everything that I command you.  Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.  And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land.  They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the LORD, to deliver you.”

Ps. 56, 57; Rom 1: 1 – 15; John 4; 27 - 42

How do we trust in a God of destruction?  When destruction overwhelms us, how do we trust in deliverance?   If a whole nation is being destroyed, are individuals responsible?  Is an individual accountable for the thoughts, actions, and consequences of a nation?

The book of Jeremiah consists essentially of a collection of oracles against the nation of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem, with another group of oracles against the foreign nations of the day.  Jeremiah spoke the Lord’s Word to his people during the final years of the seventeenth century BCE.  The prophet spoke about God’s covenantal expectations with the people of Israel and the consequences of their unfaithfulness.  Jeremiah saw the decline of his nation, Judah, in the few years before the Babylonian Empire seized the city, destroyed the Temple, and sent most of those who remained into exile. It is not a ‘feel good’ book.

So what does it have to say to my 21^st century world of today?  I struggle with the theology of a God of destruction, vengeance, and fear.  But Jeremiah does speak to me about consequences.  The nation of Judah, according to Jeremiah, would suffer the consequences of not living in covenant with God.  Each and every individual was also responsible for the unfaithfulness of the people as a whole.  A covenant of interconnectedness bound them all together. 

The book of Jeremiah offers a mirroring of our contemporary understanding of consequences.  Jeremiah speaks about the importance of relationship and about our interconnectivity with the rest of the world.    Jeremiah echoes the natural consequences that seem to be inherent in our universal system.  It’s not a ‘quid pro quo’ arrangement; rather our universe operates relationally.  

Jeremiah suggests that the cumulative effect of a nation’s thoughts, words, and actions, eventually leads to destruction, when that nation is out of relationship with God, each other, and the rest of the world.  And for Jeremiah, each individual is also accountable, and bears the consequences of the thoughts, words, and actions of their nation.

Basye Holland-Shuey

Lent 2-Tuesday                                February 22

February 22

John 4: 43 – 54

After two days he departed to Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in how own country. So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too had gone to the feast. So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Jesus there fore said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, “Yesterday, at the seventh hour the fever left him.” The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live”’ and he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

Ps. 61, 62; Jer. 2: 1 – 13; Rom. 1: 16 - 25

Why is it so difficult to believe – to believe down deep inside when it feels like a wellspring beyond our boundaries? Why is it hard to believe when we see the wonders of each day, from the humble unseen breath of the earth that cools us on summer evening and awakens us to great destruction in the angry clashes of fall, and then caresses with the gentle twinkling of the stars on a crisp wintry night? We see it in the love that matches us for a lifetime and brings us to help acquaintances who have become friends and strangers whose needs make them friends-to-be, and we see it in the loving trust of the creatures who sit beside us waiting for a touch as we try to write.

We know the signs and wonders of God with each of our senses, yet we carelessly accept them as gifts from an unknown donor who requires no acknowledgement. We accept them as the background in our lives, presents since the beginning of time. Why give thanks for that which has always been there? Why give thanks for those senses and sights that everyone shares? We can share the exultation of unexpected personal good fortune, but fail to recognize the wonders of life that envelop us each day. And then we ask, “Why, why me?” When that which we do not control takes control of us and ones we love.

The answer lies in plain sight. It requires no great feat to uncover it. It requires only that we see it, embrace it, and be vigilant about keeping it. It requires only that we believe, that we have a faith – confidence in the promise of God and His desire to keep that promise for each of us. He asks only that we accept a partnership, where our responsibility is to believe, to trust, to accept the Word as the plan and to be awakened to the signs and wonders of what has been given us. Then, belief and faith may find their origins deep within, and peace and happiness and completeness will take on new meaning. When we believe, there is much to be gained – and much to be given.

George Thacker

Lent 2-Wednesday                           February 23

February 23

John  5:  1 – 18

After this there was a feast pf the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew calle4d Bethzatha, which has five porticoes.  In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed.  One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”  The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me.”  Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.”  And at one the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.  Now that day was the Sabbath.  So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.”  But he answered them, “The man who healed me said to me, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk.’”  They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk’?”  Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn as there was a crowd in the place.  Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.”  The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the Sabbath.  But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working still, and I am working.”  This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but also called his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Ps. 72; Jer. 3: 6 – 18; Rom. 1: 28- 2: 11

  In reading this passage from John, there are several human weaknesses that are quite apparent to me.  This is a story of healing, and a sign of Jesus’ Incarnate nature.  Yet, in this story, the people who witnessed the healing were too caught up in their own self-imposed definition of what constituted work on “the Sabbath”, to be able to comprehend that something far greater had just taken place. 

We are told of a man that has been ill for thirty eight years, and had tried unsuccessfully to get to the “healing pool”.  Thirty eight years and nobody helped this man!  In fact, others had pushed their way in front of him!  This seems incredible!  How self-centered can people be?  Also, however, it seems difficult to believe that this man could not have done something to get some help during all that time.  Jesus asked him,”  Do you want to be made well?”  Under the circumstances that would be an appropriate question to ask.   Then later in the story when Jesus saw the healed man in the temple, He said,  “See, you have been made well.  Do not sin anymore.”  Was he ill because of his sinful condition and a lack of faith?

 It seems that Jesus was healing more than the physical problem in this story. The important messages that I take from this reading is to keep a constant check on my weaknesses of being self-centered, avoid petty issues for they can blind a person and create a false sense of greater self-worth, help myself with physical and spiritual needs whenever possible, keep faith and trust in God, and remember to help others in their time of need.   For us to “be made well” we must first have FAITH and LOVE for “The Lord your God”.

Merrilee Allen

Lent 2-Thursday                              February 24

February 24

John 5: 19 - 29

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing, and greater works than these will he show him that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

“Truly, truly I say to you, the hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will life. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.”

Ps. 70, 71; Jer. 4: 9 – 10, 19 – 28; Rom. 2: 12 - 24

As I read John 5: 19 – 29 I see the word Judgment used, “And he has given him authority to execute judgment.” I think how easy it would be for all of us to be judgmental. I know I have no problem executing judgment on others, but I am not so sure God expects that of us. If Christ is judge, does that mean we do not need to judge others? Maybe it does.

I was talking with a friend about this scripture and she brought up some good points, points that I had not given consideration. She asked if I thought there were times when God expected us to judge. Does God want us to judge right from wrong? Pick good over evil? Should we let others know when they have made what we think is the wrong choice? I think she has a good point. But then I thought of something my Grandmother always used to tell me. “Michael,” she would say, “Worry about your own backyard first.” So after much thought, I think I need to judge myself first. I think I need to worry about right and wrong for my life. I think I need to judge my actions before I start judging others. I am not sure about the rest of you, but I think this just might take a lifetime.

Michael L. Shipley

Lent 2-Friday                                   February 25

February 25

John 5: 30 – 47 

 “I can do nothing on my own.  As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.  If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.  There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true.  You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth.  Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved.  He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.  But I have a testimony greater than John’s, to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.  And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf.  You have never heard his voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf.  Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.  I do not accept glory from human beings.  But I know that you do not have the love of God in you.  I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, your will accept him.  How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?  Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope.  If you believed  Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.  But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”

Ps. 69: 1 – 23; Jer. 5: 1 – 9; Rom. 2: 25 – 3: 18

Will we (human beings) ever get it right? Adam and Eve didn’t.  The people of Israel didn’t listen to Moses as he tried to lead them to the Promised Land.  And think of all the prophets and judges God sent to teach his people who were ignored and rejected.  Finally God sent his only son to straighten us out and even his own apostles kept getting things wrong.

Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah was affirmed by John the Baptist, by his own teachings and miracles, by the scriptures and by God himself.  Yet the religious leaders didn’t believe.  They were so entrenched in their own lives and own religious system that they missed the Messiah.  They were very prestigious people who listened to each other and failed to hear God.  They condemned and crucified Him!

Who do we listen to today?  Who influences our actions and thoughts?  Are we so caught up in our everyday lives, so concerned about what others might think that we fail to hear God’s voice and live our lives as Christ taught us?

The Lenten season is a time to take an accounting of our lives, a time to search our hearts for what is really important, a time to listen and ask for God’s guidance and to seek his approval.  God alone is our salvation.  God is the one who must approve of our actions and our lives, not our fellow man. Will we ever get it right?  Probably not – but as Christians we have to keep trying!

Shirley Hale

Lent 2-Saturday                               February 26

February 26

Romans 3: 19 – 31

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, and righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus. What then becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On the principle of works? No, but on the principle of faith. For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.  

Ps. 75, 76; Jer. 5: 20 – 31; John 7: 1 - 13

How can we be so incredibly lucky, so fortunate, so blessed? It’s better than winning the lottery! It’s life changing! It’s miraculous! It’s unbelievable and yet it’s true!

It’s the “Good News: that Paul writes about in his Epistle to the Church in Rome and to us. Our loving God in all his righteousness, mercy and forbearance has forgiven our sins. Just imagine, He is not judging us guilty for all our wrong doings, but innocent. He has justified our sinfulness. There is nothing we can do to earn His love, His grace, His forgiveness because we already have it.

How do we know that God is like that? We know this because Jesus tells us so. He became Incarnate to live and die as one of us to show how wonderfully God loves us. He loves us, ‘warts and all’!

When I believe this with all my heart and mind and soul, it changes my relationship with God. I know that I am a sinner, but a forgiven sinner, and I no longer feel estranged from Him. That is what justification by faith means to me.

I know what it feels like to be a forgiven sinner and because I have been forgiven, I can, with God’s help, forgive others. I praise and thank God constantly for these incredible gifts of faith and grace.

The “Good News” is available to everyone.  How unspeakably blessed we are!

Amen.

Adalene Hay Bledsoe

Lent 3-Monday                                 March 15

Mark 5:21-43

                 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.’

                 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?”’ He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha cum,’ which means, ‘Little girl, get up!’ And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age) At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

In the above Scripture one witnesses an omnipotent Christ Jesus respond to the death of a twelve-year-old girl by restoring her to life. This scene demonstrates that not only is Christ Jesus the giver of life, He indeed is the POWER over death, both earthly and worldly, as witnessed by His own life and resurrection.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) 

With Easter rapidly approaching I cannot help but contemplate the true meaning of Easter, salvation in Christ, and what that means for me in my life. I have embarked upon a place where not only am I FOREVER thankful to our Heavenly Father for sending His son to forgive me of my sins, but ETERNALLY grateful that He, in His love, mercy, grace, and compassion, would resurrect ME to a new life with Him through Christ. This resurrected life in Christ recognizes that it is not only a divine blessing and gift in the after life, but an abundant part of this life as well.

I did not recognize or understand the true meaning of salvation in Christ at a young age, and admit my understanding is still  growing. For years I walked around with an understanding that through my belief in Christ I would live an eternity with Him in Heaven. And yes I know that to be true. However, I believe it is only a part of what Christ is teaching me regarding a resurrected life in Him.   He HAS taught me that because of His indwelling Spirit in me, Him living IN me, part of this resurrected life in Christ indeed takes place here during our life on this earth. Recently I read two books by Jerry Bridges titled The Pursuit of Holiness and The Practice of Godliness. The main teaching behind both books is the POWERFUL work possible through the Holy Spirit in our lives if we permit Him to have complete control of our beings.   By submitting our lives and will to Christ, seeking, and trusting Christ here in this life, He can change us from worldly beings into beings more in the likeness of God, pursuing and desiring those holy, godly, peaceful characteristics which are Christ’s. As the Lord draws me closer to Him in this spiritual journey I recognize His constant, mighty work in me. Yet I continue to observe my human stubbornness in wanting to cling to the old. Although each day of my life is nothing other than constant spiritual warfare within, thanks be to GOD that HE is the powerful One that can overcome my flesh and resurrect me to a new life in Him.

Never will I be able to express in words the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ. However, I will always stand in awe that this loving, compassionate, merciful, and gracious God sought me to love Him.   And with my belief in Him and submission of life to Him, He resurrected one such as me, a wretched sinner, to live a life not only with Him but also FOR Him as His vessel to do His will in this world.

Thanks be to God as all glory, honor, and praise are indeed due His name. Amen.

-Frances Clayton

Psalm 80; Genesis 44:18-34; 1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Lent 3-Tuesday                                March 16

Mark 6:1-13

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

In Mark’s scripture it seems to be a learning experience for all involved—Jesus, his disciples, his followers and non-followers. Jesus realized the lack of faith in people, including his disciples. This was evident as Jesus sent his disciples out to spread the word of God with nothing but a staff, but had strengthened them for their journey with his teachings and wisdom. He also gave them the power of healing to help the people learn of the power of repentance and to teach them salvation through Christ. 

There have been many times in my life that I have needed friends and family to help me get back on the path of Jesus. Also, there have been times when friends needed my assistance with the same. God has given us the strength to guide each other in times of need. Often this is a time of learning and uncertainty. This is when we need to trust in God the most. Everyone goes through difficult times in their life. It is up to us to help each other during these times when Jesus seems far away. Too often it is simple to look the other way or not get involved. God has given all of us a wonderful gift of friends and family. Gifts we too often take for granted. He has blessed us with friends and family and we need to use these resources in time of need. During this time we need to focus on God’s Word and Will so that we are not swayed or pulled in the direction of those who are off the path. If we have strayed off His path we need to repent and make every effort to get back on Christ’s path. God calls on all of us to seek out those that are in need and help them find Christ. Just as Jesus’ disciples were learning and sometimes uncertain, they turned back to Jesus for guidance. Just as Jesus sent his disciples to spread the word of the Lord we must do the same. How fortunate we are to have friends, family and Jesus.

-Gripp Luther

Psalm 78:1-39; Genesis 45:1-15; 1 Corinthians 7:32-40 

Lent 3-Wednesday                             March 17

Mark 6:14-29

                 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, ‘John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’

                 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.’ And he solemnly swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.’ She went out and said to her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the baptizer.’ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Serving God? At what cost?

  Serving God isn’t practiced as much as it is talked about. To serve God is to love him and to do his will. Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it. Not so. It’s much easier to get caught up in the earthly things of this world. The best things in life (and I’m pretty sure, everlasting life) are not always the easiest and serving God (as this scripture showed me) many times comes at the cost of persecution.

             To me, this scripture is about peer pressure, hatred, and revenge. These are all things that serve Satan, not our Lord. Being so consumed with them will surely lead to ruin. Peer pressure, hatred, and revenge are signs of human weakness.

             When I think of peer pressure, I think of our school days, but people are hampered with this type of pressure throughout life. Pressure to do things to please others or to be perceived favorably in their eyes. Making decisions that we would not otherwise have made. This weakness can cause confusion and bedlam in our own life and ultimately lead to disaster in the forms hatred, revenge and lost spirituality. For Herod this weakness led to his death. This weakness can be strengthened through the love of God if we’ll just let it. Such was the case with John, a very strong man in the faith who was persecuted and eventually gave his life serving our Lord. When I think about John, what he did and where he is now, I think of how glorious it must be and I am stirred and inspired. Thank you, God, that I may receive your grace.

 -Michael Avolese

Psalm 119:97-120; Genesis 45:16-28; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13  

Lent 3-Thursday                               March 18

Mark 6:30-46

                 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.’ But he answered them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said to him, ‘Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?’ And he said to them, ‘How many loaves have you? Go and see.’ When they had found out, they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

It was especially meaningful to revisit these verses as an adult, since this is one of the stories I recall so well from childhood. I remember my Sunday School teachers telling me about the miracle of Jesus feeding five thousand people with only the five loaves and two fish. As I re-read the passage today, it was not the feeding of the five thousand that jumped out at me, but that in each part of the passage Jesus was looking out for and taking care of the people. He watched over the disciples by making sure they received rest; he showed his compassion to the people by being their shepherd and teaching them many things; and finally he blessed the disciples and the people as he fed them with the limited amount of food. After reading the verses, I prayed that I could always remember that God is looking after me and that by asking for his guidance and help each day he will provide what I need.

-Donna Joffrion

Psalm 42, 43; Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34

Lent 3-