A Life Of Sacrifice

2010 Lenten Meditations
Written by the parish family of
Christ Episcopal Church

www.christchurchslidell.com

A Life Of Sacrifice

2010 Lenten Meditations
Written by the parish family of
Christ Episcopal Church

www.christchurchslidell.com

Table of Contents

Copyright 2010, all rights reserved

The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, March 28th
8:00 am — The Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist *
10:30 am — The Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist *
Monday in Holy Week, March 29th
5:30 pm — Evening Prayer
Tuesday in Holy Week, March 30th
5:30 pm — Evening Prayer
Wednesday in Holy Week, March 31st
5:30 pm — Holy Eucharist
Maundy Thursday, April 1st
6:00 pm — Holy Eucharist w/ Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar
Good Friday, April 2nd
12:00 pm — Stations of the Cross
6:00 pm — Mass of the Pre-sanctified w/ Veneration of the Cross
Holy Saturday / Easter Eve, April 3rd
8:00 pm — The Great Vigil of Easter & the Easter Feast *
Easter Sunday, April 4th
10:00 am — Festal Eucharist *

* Nursery available at these services

A Note from the Editor

Grace and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit. For many years, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas has written books of this nature during Lent. My best research shows it started with Alyce Pyle. Jane Brown carried the torch through Lent 2009. I brought this idea to Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell in 2006.

The purpose is to provide a short, structured process to daily prepare us for the celebration of Holy Week. Unlike my predecessors, I have chosen to include Easter Day in this book because the Lord and Savior I know did not stay in the grave. The first page of each week has simple instructions for each day that week. Each day, read the collect for the week before turning to the current day's page. Close with the Lord's Prayer.

Inside, you will find those members who were brave enough to share their thoughts about the lessons for the day. Most take a verse or two out of one lesson but occasionally an author will take on the challenge of tying multiple lessons together. Each is special in its own way. After all, the goal is to bring us closer to Jesus.

Unlike previous books, I chose the cover design of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary before the title. This collage depicts the entire life, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ capped by our Pentecost window. Clearly, this collage represents the sacrifice to end all sacrifices; hence the title A Life Of Sacrifice.

Gapitpoths
J. Wesley McComb

Acknowledments:
The Biblical references use the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise stated.

Ash Wednesday Week Instructions

Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Amos 5:6-15; Hebrews 12:1-14; Luke 18:9-14
Psalms: Morning 95, 32, 143; Evening 102, 130

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:

Luke 18:9

Jesus gives a teaching in this passage from Luke to all of us that we should be ever aware of our confidence in our own righteousness that can lead us to look down upon others. We are called to sacrifice those things that cause us to miss the mark, sin, such as arrogance, rudeness, and self centeredness. These are the very same things that the writer of Hebrews says will endanger our relationship with God and how right he is as such an attitude will lead us to an expectation that Jesus and God are to be at our beckon call. In other words, they are to do what we want when we want it.

Lent is a time to move back into a holy life, one that is dedicated to our Lord and our God. Being a follower of Jesus is about being trained up in Christ ways, thus we are invited as the body of Christ to the …observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.* SACRIFICE OF AN OLD LIFE AND LIVING A NEW LIFE. Yes, living a life of sacrifice of the ways of the world and living a life worthy of that which has been redeemed by our Lord Jesus who was the Great Sacrifice for us.

I invite you to read daily the Litany of Penitence in the Book of Common Prayer as a means of discipline to keep us all on the right path of a holy life.

Fr. Ernest Saik

* Book of Common Prayer, p 265

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Habakkuk 3:1-18; Philippians 3:12-21; John 17:1-8
Psalms: Morning 37:1-18; Evening 37:19-42

O LORD, I have heard of your renown, and
I stand in awe, O LORD, of your work.
In our own time revive it;
in our own time make it known;
in wrath may you remember mercy.

Habakkuk 3:2

I picked these lessons because today is my birthday. I must have read the first two verses of the Habakkuk (sounds like tobacco with a leading ha) lesson a dozen times before I ever got past the verse shown. I am not sure I have read any of the other lessons. I know this verse speaks to me—LOUDLY!!!

The cover of this book tells the story of Jesus. I have sat in awe and studied each of the nine windows at length. If you have never done so, I highly recommend it.

Episcopalians do not have a reputation for being evangelists. Personally, I prefer to write something spiritual and pray someone reads it. Sadly, the guy yelling on TV is often more effective than even the most inspiring written word.

We live in interesting times. I often feel I was born too late in history. I really do not fit anymore.

One member of this parish told me I approach a church service the way many people approach going to a football game. I love to sing and the congregation knows when I am familiar with a hymn. One of the many reasons I sit where I do is encourage others by my actions to sing and fully participate in the service. When I am at full voice and can hear the congregation over it, I feel part of a revival of the Father on earth.

I tell folks All I want to do is just get in the gate because I believe the worst day in Heaven is better than the best day in Hell. I am counting on the Father being merciful enough to let me in the gate. How about you?

Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb

Friday, February 19, 2010

Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32; Philippians. 4:1-9; John 17:9-19
Psalms: Morning 31; Evening 35

Ezekiel's message emphasizes God's ways of equality. He proclaims that God treats all non-sinners equally:

…he shall save his soul alive.

Ezekiel 18:27c, ASV

Yet, he will also treat sinners equally:

…in his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

Ezekiel 18:26b, ASV

We have opportunity here: God will judge us according to the way we lead our earthly lives. Live justly and lawfully and your soul shall live. Live an evil life and your soul shall die. Moreover, God is willing to forgive us our transgressions if we cast them aside and change to a just and righteous life. For, according to the last passage,

For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live.

Ezekiel 18:32, ASV

God is not looking to punish us, rather he is asking us to live according to his rules so that he may let our soul live.

Jacques Walker

Editor's note: Major Walker has been deployed to Iraq. Please keep him and his unit in your prayers.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Ezekiel 39:21-29; Philippians 4:10-20; John 17:20-26
Psalms: Morning 30, 32; Evening 42, 43

Dear Jesus,

As I wander through this world, I seek refuge from the evil that lurks about every corner. I think I can take matters into my own hands, but in the end, I realize that I cannot handle the entire world. I'm reminded weekly that I need to keep my faith and stand my ground. This is easy in a church community, but, in most public places keeping your faith is much more difficult than it appears. My mind wants to retreat, and fall to the wickedness that surrounds me.

My tears have been my food for day and night, as they ask daily. Where is your God? Those times I recall as I pour out soul,
When my procession with the crowd went with them
to the House of God,
Amid the loud cries of thanksgiving,
With the multitude of keeping festival.
Why are you to downcast, my soul why do you groan within me?

Psalm 42 5-6 *

Please stay near me through these hard times. Amen.

Kyle Giangrosso

* Editor's Note: The quote comes from the New American Bible St. Joseph Medium Edition. The NRSV cites this quotation as verses 3-5b

Lent Week 1 Instructions

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Daniel 9:3-10; Hebrews 2:10-18; John 12:44-50;
Psalms: Morning 63, 98; Evening 103

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses,
though we have rebelled against him;
Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God,
to walk in his laws,
which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

Daniel 9:9-10, KJV

I was channel-surfing one evening and came across a documentary about capital punishment—television cameras were following a Texas death row inmate through his final appeals process. I realized with shock that I had once known the man being profiled. He was the younger brother of one of my elementary school friends. Some 30 years since I had last seen him, he was now on death row for killing a convenience store clerk in the course of committing a robbery to support his drug habit. It seemed impossible that the quiet five-year-old with curly red hair, round face, and thick glasses I remembered from childhood could have become a drug-addicted killer. But there he was—knowing he would be executed soon for committing a devastating act, the culmination of a series of terrible choices he had made in his life.

As his execution approached, he spoke about many things—including his responsibility for the murder he had committed. While in prison, he had become a born-again Christian and read the Bible constantly. He said he knew God had forgiven him and he was ready for his execution. Perhaps today's Old Testament reading from Daniel was one of the verses he read as the day of his execution drew near. I know there are more comforting verses in the Bible, but these seem specifically to address God's mercy and forgiveness—even in the face of man's rebellion and lack of obedience.

Deborah Pfeifer

Monday, February 22, 2010

Genesis 37:1-11; 1st Corinthians 1:1-19; Mark 1:1-13
Psalms: Morning 41,52; Evening 44

Each one of us is a part of the body of Christ. Like the human body composed of many parts, each part is different from the others having a unique purpose, role, function. However, each part is also necessary for the proper working and wellbeing of the full body.

Our human flaws include our selfish nature and pride; where we often want to be the body part that is highly visible, recognized, admired, and seen as highly important. Quite often, we covet the purpose or role God has assigned to someone else; becoming jealous, holding hatred or at least negative or unpleasant feelings toward that person.

God wants us to be content and, yes, joyful in the job (or jobs) He has assigned to us, no matter how lowly or humble it appears to be or makes us feel. He also wants each of us to do our assigned job to our best ability as He has blessed us with the talent, skills, perseverance, and other personal attributes needed to perform our jobs. Not doing these is a direct insult to God as it shows a disregard and lack of gratitude for the gifts He has given us.

Furthermore, God wants each of us to fully support and desire the best for others in the jobs assigned to them. He also wants us to have full joy when they succeed and do well.

In Genesis, Joseph's brothers are an example of going against God's will, while in Mark, John the Baptist gives us an example of following His will. Paul's teaching and example in Corinthians also tell us how to follow God's way in these matters.

Larry deQuay

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Genesis 37:12-24; 1st Corinthians 1:20-31; Mark 1:14-28
Psalms: Morning 45; Evening 47, 48

So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit.

Genesis 37:23-24a

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Follow me and I will make you fishers for people.

Mark 1:16-17

For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

1st Corinthians 1:25

Things aren't always what they appear. Colors are sleeves, the pit is an opportunity as a king's chief of staff, fishermen are religious leaders known by name two millennia later, foolishness is wiser than wisdom and weakness is stronger than strength. God finds opportunity in adversity beyond the dreams of the most visionary business leaders of our time.

In traditional translations, Joseph has a coat of many colors, but more recently it has been long sleeves. As I understand it, the Hebrew words for colors and sleeves have the same consonants, so they are spelled the same, or at least very similarly.

The many or long are designated by duplicating the adjective. If you wonder why long sleeves were valuable, think about how much time it takes to hand spin enough wool to run three yards of fabric on a 60-inch loom and then consider the rarity of 60-inch hand looms in the third millennium B.C. Even Jesus' seamless woven tunic was considered too valuable to part (John 19:23-24).

During the Christmas break within my senior year at UNO, I agreed to help one of my fellow parishioner's cousin's move. Dana (the cousin) and I had never met. I was ten minutes early, she was ten minutes late. The downstairs neighbor, Mark, saw a scruffy guy (me in Dec 1983) waiting in the apartment complex. He called the police and told him I was attempting to break down his door. I was cast into the pit of the Jefferson Parish East Bank lockup. Dana rescued me from lockup, but Mark stuck by his story. If it hadn't been for the pending charges, I would have started looking for a job in January. As it was, I went back to graduate school. I owe my present well-paying job to a betrayal over twenty-six years ago.

Gus Michel

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Genesis 37:25-36; 1st Corinthians 2:1-13; Mark 1:29-45
Psalms: Morning 119:49-72; Evening 49, 53

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 53:6, NIV

Today's Old Testament reading reminds us of the story of Joseph—Jacob's beloved son that was sold into slavery by his own brothers—the son that ended up in Egypt serving the Pharaoh—The brother who because of his wisdom, was put in charge of the whole land of Egypt—The brother who forgave those who sold him into slavery when they came to Egypt to buy grain as their father Jacob had instructed—The brother who saved them, Israel, from famine and provided them with the best land and jobs in the land of Goshen.

What is so often forgotten in this story, however, is Rueben, who tried to rescue Joseph before his other brothers could harm him. Rueben discouraged the brothers from killing Joseph. He planned to rescue Joseph himself, but God had a greater plan! God truly works in mysterious ways.

What if Rueben had been successful in rescuing Joseph? What would have happened to Jacob's family Israel during the famine? Would the brothers eventually kill Joseph with their hate? God always overcomes evil with good.

This story parallels the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's beloved son who was betrayed by his own people and sold into the hands of evildoers for 30 pieces of silver. God found a way to resurrect his Son from death. He is seated at the Right Hand of the Father and rules over the Kingdom of Heaven. He restores all those who follow Him and becomes his Family of Faith into a land of eternal wealth and peace.

Just as Joseph had to leave his family and country to provide salvation for his family, Christ had to leave this earthly home to do the same—prepare a place for us.

Beverly Stubblefield

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Genesis 39:1-23; 1st Corinthians 2:14-3:15; Mark 2:1-12
Psalms: Morning 50; Evening 59, 60, 19, 46

Jesus Heals a paralytic

What is a miracle worker? Many people have an automatic image that comes to mind at the word. Some people conjure visions of some guy who is high and mighty hitting a person in the forehead and just like that, snap, the invalid is healed. Another person may see a doctor. On any given day someone may mention the words miracle worker and someone will mention the famous story of Helen Keller.

We as Christians, however, know the true miracle worker, Jesus Christ. Not to downplay the importance of many miracle workers throughout history, but none of them did it alone. They all had help from a divine being, a person above, our Savior Jesus Christ. It was Jesus Christ who healed the paralytic, and Jesus Christ who still heals us all today. He is the one and only Miracle worker, now and forever. Amen.

Marina Wilson

Friday, February 26, 2010

Genesis 40:1-23; 1st Corinthians 3:16-23; Mark 2:13-22
Psalms: Morning 40, 54; Evening 51

But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and
shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and
make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and
bring me out of this house.

Genesis 40:14, KJV

Many years ago, a friend of mine was hoping to move to Colorado, but she felt that she needed a job—or at least a connection to a job—before she could move. An acquaintance of hers had just moved to the Denver area and had been hired by a large company. She promised she would get in touch as soon as she was settled and help my friend. Months passed. My friend heard nothing from the woman who had made the promise. Then one day we read the woman's wedding announcement in the paper. Not only had she returned from Colorado, but she was getting married—all without a word!

God never forgets, but people often do. This is the message of today's Old Testament reading. Joseph has interpreted the chief butler's dream, telling him that he will be restored by Pharaoh to his previous position. Joseph asks the butler to remember him when his position is restored, but the chief butler forgets. Joseph must have despaired that he would ever be free, realizing as time passed that the butler had not put in a good word for him.

How often do we put our faith in the promises of others? Certainly more often than we should. Yes, sometimes people come through for us, but other times they do not. Only on the steadfast promises of God can we stand confident and unafraid because God's promises are the only ones that will never fail us!

Deborah Pfeifer

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Genesis 41:1-13; 1st Corinthians 4:1-7; Mark 2:23-3:6
Psalms: Morning 55; Evening 138, 139

Suppose you had a withered hand and if it wasn't attended to you would die. Then suppose that there was a person, who could heal you, but it was the Sabbath and he would be breaking Jewish law—perhaps leading to his death. What do you think the person who could heal you should do?

This would be a difficult decision. Of course, I would like to live, but do I want to be the person who causes another's death? Of course, the answer would be NO! Who deliberately wants to cause the death of another human being?

Isn't it odd that an act of kindness and mercy ultimately would lead to the death of the healer? The laws were so strict that anyone committing a crime would be punished to the full extent of the law.

I was exposed to Blue Laws when I was growing up. They forbade the sale of some items and allowed the sale of others. I don't remember what the forbidden items were but it is clear that the legislators were not familiar with Mark.

God allowed the events to play out so that Jesus could become the sacrifice for all mankind. Jesus, thank you for the healings spoken of in the Gospels. Thank you for the healings that you and your Father do today.

Shalom,
Terry Brown

Lent Week 2 Instructions

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Genesis 41:14-45; Romans 6:3-14; John 5:19-24
Psalms: Morning 24, 29; Evening 8, 84

Seven years of great abundance are coming
throughout the land of Egypt,
but seven years of famine will follow them.
Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten,
and the famine will ravage the land.

Genesis 41:29-30, NIV

This lesson in Genesis can be likened unto the course of a Christian's spiritual journey while we live in this world. Each day of our lives, after we have made the conscience decision to follow Jesus, makes up our spiritual journey.

Our journey consists of times when we perceive the abundant presence and blessing of the Lord in our daily lives. During those times it is quiet easy to fulfill the purpose he has placed within our hearts to love and serve Him along with our fellow man.

However, there are also times when we perceive a dryness of the absence of His presence and we choose to succumb to the temptation of doubt and fear thereby crippling our walk with Him. Will we be ravaged by that dryness or will we choose to remember and draw on those times of abundance from our Savior and his empowerment that are stored in our hearts and minds?

Through our study of Holy Scripture we can rely or stand firm on His promise to sustain us in our journeys. So, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, choose to draw on His promises and love, worship, and serve our Savior, Jesus Christ, along with our fellow man.

Brenda Saik

Monday, March 1, 2010

Genesis 41:46-57; 1st Corinthians 4:8-21; Mark 3:7-19a
Psalms: Morning 56, 57, 58; Evening 64, 65

Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, was now second in command in Egypt. Only Pharaoh had more authority than Joseph. Joseph had been given the task to gather grain into storage during the seven years of plenty. At the end of the seven years of plenty, the seven years of famine began. Joseph opened the storehouses and all the countries came to buy grain.

There is a famine in the land now-a famine from the lack of God in people's lives. Everywhere we look we see attempts to remove even the Name of God from public use. Secular society doesn't mind if we keep God inside our storehouses-they just don't want to have to be confronted with Him.

We Christians have had the opportunity to store up for ourselves the Word of God from Bible readings and studies, lessons learned from Sunday morning sermons, and blessings from being in communion with God and one another. We are all being fed on a regular basis. Hopefully, prayerfully, the world around us will realize the depth of famine in their own lives. Then we can open up our storehouses and feed the world around us but first they must realize they are starving. We have what they need…in abundance.

Linda Mejias

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Genesis 42:1-17; 1st Corinthians 5:1-8; Mark 3:19b-35;
Psalms: Morning 61, 62; Evening 68

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness;
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1st Corinthians 5:8, KJV

A Leaven of Malice, a phrase taken from today's epistle reading, is the title of one of my favorite novels. Written by Robertson Davies, it is the story of what happens when a spiteful person places an engagement announcement in the local newspaper. The declaration that the children of two of the town's leading citizens are going to be married could not be further from the truth because their families are antagonistic toward each other. From this one act of spite, the entire story is set in motion. By the end of the book, the fake announcement has become the truth as the hero and heroine, despite their family's reservations, decide to get married.

I wish all malicious acts could have such happy endings, but unfortunately that isn't always the case. Working in a junior high school, I observe students targeting each other with cruelty and malice. It is not easy to intervene because these acts do not involve physical altercations but gossip, ostracism, and meanness. When the perpetrators are reprimanded, their response is, But I didn't DO anything, I was just joking around.

Paul knows that the smallest malicious act can have enormous consequences. Earlier in today's reading he writes:

Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

1st Corinthians 5:6, KJV

Yes, indeed, one bad apple can certainly spoil the whole barrel. Paul urges us to be a new lump without malice and wickedness. Are we ready to rid ourselves of the old leaven and keep the feast with sincerity and truth?

Deborah Pfeifer

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Genesis 42:18-28; 1st Corinthians 5:9-6:8; Mark 4:1-20;
Psalms: Morning 72; Evening 119:73-96

When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? …Why not rather be defrauded?

1st Corinthians 6:1, 7

…but [among them] the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it [the word] yields nothing.

Mark 4:19

He said to his brothers, My money has been put back; here it is in my sack! At this they lost heart and turned trembling to one another.

Genesis 42:28

Wow. Sometimes you need to be hit over the head with a club three times to see what you're supposed to do. With our denomination on the cusp of schism, we need to look inside our Bibles and inside our hearts to remember what is really important. It is most certainly not the treasures on earth with which the saints have gathered, but the Good News cannot be taken away by any earthly power.

Yet the papers are full of parishes and diocese and the national church suing each other over church properties. I pray that, should I find that my church has left Jesus, that I will find the strength to bring it back. Failing that, may I find the strength to take nothing but myself and those who feel likewise, and that we find Jesus in another place.

Lord, let your people hear and remember your word. Grant us the courage to proclaim your true Gospel to the world not only with our lips, but in our actions. Help us to remember that our common cause to serve You is greater than any of the causes of the world. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

Gus Michel

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Genesis 42:29-38; 1st Corinthians 6:12-30; Mark 4:21-34;
Psalms: Morning 70, 71; Evening 74

Glorify God in Body and Spirit

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body

1st Corinthians 6:19-20

Our body is a temple to God. We wouldn't think of defiling our Church building in anyway, lest we might upset God, or our fellow parishioners. However, if our bodies are truly temples, why do we mistreat them so? Why do we consume unhealthy food? Not exercise regularly? Why do we smoke, or drink to excess? Why do we not have the same respect for our bodies as our church building?

Our bodies are truly on loan from God. He created us, and to him we shall return. Indeed, our bodies were bought for a very steep price, why don't we treat them that way? Just imagine returning a rental car all dented and scratched with food and drink stained seats. Now imagine arriving in heaven with your self-inflicted damaged body.

Jacques Walker

Editor's note: Major Walker has been deployed to Iraq. Please keep him and his unit in your prayers.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Genesis 43:1-15; 1st Corinthians 7:1-9; Mark 4:35-41;
Psalms: Morning 70, 71; Evening 74

I've often thought about why Joseph did not immediately reveal himself to his brothers so that they could all be quickly reconciled and avoid the additional pain to their father, Israel. Why did Joseph require his brothers to return with Benjamin, the brother who did not travel on the first journey to Egypt because Israel was afraid of losing Benjamin or of harm coming to him? After all, Israel had already believed that Joseph was dead. Why did Joseph also cause his brothers to believe that they did not pay and stole back the silver that was to be used to purchase the grain provided by Joseph? Did Joseph want to have revenge and payback from his brothers for the evil they did to him? Did he not care about the added grief and worry that his father would have to endure as a result?

From these scripture passages and those that precede and follow, I've concluded that forgiveness and reconciliation are not synonymous with relieving those who do evil from responsibility for their wrongdoing nor are they the same as allowing people to avoid consequences or just punishments for their acts of evil. I believe that Joseph saw the necessity for his brothers to experience great difficulties and a portion of the hardships he endured in order for them to fully understand and then sincerely repent of the great evil that was done to Joseph, not to mention how their evil acts brought great pain and distress to their father.

How does this apply to us today? I recommend reading the book Total Forgiveness by R. T. Kendall for more details and insights about what forgiveness is and is not. This book helped me through some forgiveness issues I experienced a few years ago.

Larry deQuay

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Genesis 43:16-34; 1st Corinthians 7:10-24; Mark 5:1-20
Psalms: Morning 75, 76; Evening 23, 27

How Great Thou Art

After reading the lessons appointed for this day, I was reminded of the old hymn How Great Thou Art (Words: Stuart K. Hine; Music: Swedish folk melody; Arr.: Stuart K. Hine from Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal, Church Publishing Inc., New York, 1993). All of the readings reflect the awesome power of God to work His will in the world.

In the Genesis selection, Joseph is overwhelmed by his reunion with his brother Benjamin and weeps with joy at the divine providence of the Lord. Paul urges the Corinthians to lead the life that the Lord has assigned (v.17a). Imagine a Lord who has planned our lives, all of our lives. What could be more powerful and intimate?

In the Gospel of Mark Jesus heals the Gerasene demoniac, and when the cured man begs to go with him, Jesus refuses and says Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you. (v. 19)

The speaker gives thanksgiving for God's wondrous deeds in Psalm 75, and in Psalm 76 the speaker praises God's glory and majesty, astounded that God is the judge of all the earth. Who could not find assurance by Psalm 23's The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (v. 1).

Finally, the psalmist (27) expresses great confidence that God will protect him in all circumstances: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (v. 1-2) Our Lord is indeed GREAT!

The refrain to the hymn How Great Thou Art says it all:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Shiela MacArthur

Lent Week 3 Instructions

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Genesis 44:1-17; Romans 8:1-10; John 5:25-29
Psalms: Morning 93, 96; Evening 34

Put my cup, the silver cup, in the top of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.

Genesis 44:2a

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do:

Romans 8:3a

Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

John 5:25

Joseph's aim in dealing with his brothers is simple and praiseworthy: to convince them to move to Egypt, at least until the famine is over. Yet his means are worthy of Dallas' J.R. Ewing or Star Wars' Senator Palpatine: he plants false evidence, then serves as plaintiff, police chief, and judge in condemning his favorite brother to slavery. Whatever reason God had for choosing Israel, it had nothing to do moral behavior.

Generations later, when God rescues His people from the trap of their own choosing, He gives the law, advising His people how to keep in relationship with Him, and how to live together peaceably. Again, the people dig themselves into a hole so deep that escape is impossible without Divine help.

This is the spirit of Lent — to reflect on our sins and wickedness, to recognize that we are beyond hope if left to our own devices. Then we may renew the spirit of the law, striving to be thankful to God and respectful of others. But now, we do this not in the hopelessness that we may be perfect in our actions, but in hope of the resurrection and in thanksgiving for our redemption.

Repent, hear the voice of the Son of God, and live!

Gus Michel

Monday, March 8, 2010

Genesis 44:18-34; 1st Corinthians 7:25-31; Mark 5:21-43
Psalms: Morning 80; Evening 77, 79

The process of Lent requires us to reflect on the past and learn from our mistakes, repent of those failings and look forward to the resurrection of Christ as a new beginning. In today's lesson from Mark we find these things clearly outlined in two familiar stories.

First is the church leader whose daughter was near death and he asked Jesus to come to his house and heal her. On the way there a woman who had been sick all of her life reached out and touched His garment. Jesus turned and said, Who touched me? When she admitted that it was she, He said to her daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace and be healed of your disease.

Friends then came from the leader's house and told him has daughter was dead, and not to bother Jesus anymore. But Jesus said to him, Do not fear, only believe, and he did. Jesus took the little girl by the hand and told her to get up, and we all know that she was raised from the dead. We must always trust that God knows what is best for us and that he always answers our prayers, but not necessarily within our own timeframe, and with what we want.

It's mid-December and I write with some sadness because I know when you read this in Lent I will be gone, having just accepted a new position with Sherwin-Williams in Dallas. For 17 years Christ Church has been my home, my family in Christ. Through it all we've had more interim rectors than rectors (4 vs.3), dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and seen many parishioners leave. Yet through it all Christ Church remains as strong as ever.

Your music program is in Dwayne's talented hands, you have a new Bishop and hopefully by the time you read this a new rector. The future for Christ Church is brighter than ever and I pray that God will shower you with the blessings you all so richly deserve. May your star in Slidell continue to provide the light of hope to those in need. God Bless.

Jim Epperson

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Genesis 45:1-15; 1st Corinthians 7:32-40; Mark 6:1-13
Psalms: Morning 78:1-39; Evening 78:40-72

He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children;

Psalm 78:5

Had my parents lived, today would have been their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Having both grown up during the Great Depression, I suspect both would be dismayed with the state of America as I write this in mid-December. I can still remember Pop foretelling a depression that would make the Great Depression look like a Sunday School picnic.

In many ways, my parents lived with sacrifices. My brothers and I attended private elementary schools. My parents paid for all three of us to go to college. Being the youngest by seven years, Pop told me my college cost as much as my brothers combined. Still, Pop offered to pay for an MBA but I was tired of school—a mistake I regret to this day.

Mother made most of her own dresses. I still shake my head at all of the plastic bags, rubber bands, and twist ties I found in cleaning out her house. Growing up, Pop always made me go to his nail bin and straighten a bent nail. Lest I forget, I wore a lot of hand-me-down clothes.

During World War II, they dealt with government rationing. Their family was on hold until after Pop came home from the Pacific. Yes, my parents knew what it was like to sacrifice.

The title of this book is A Life Of Sacrifice but do we today really understand what it is to sacrifice? 2,000 years ago, Jews sacrificed animals to atone for their sins and to give thanks. On Good Friday, Jesus accumulated all of the sins of the world across the barriers of time as he died on the cross. His was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.

What have you sacrificed?

Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Genesis 45:16-28; 1st Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 6:13-29
Psalms: Morning 119:97-120; Evening 81, 82

As I plug in my destination into my trusty GPS, I can rest assured that I will get to the end of my trip safely on course. If I trust fully in God, my life journey will be the same. I start off every day with a simple prayer:

Thank you God for giving me this precious day.
Thank you for my children and my husband.
Please direct me to fulfill your plan for me.
Thank you for your love.

Just like my GPS, God will take me on the journey of life, all I need to do is ask and obey. Sure, the road may not be exciting at times and more turbulent than I would want at others but, I really want to make it to my Father's house. I'm going to grab hold of the steering-wheel, gas up the tank and enjoy the ride. I hope to see you there!

Marie Giangrosso

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34; 1st Corinthians 9:1-15; Mark 6:30-46
Psalms: Morning 83, 42, 43; Evening 85, 86

Joseph, Pharaoh's right-hand man, had secured for his family the best of the land of Egypt. God then told Jacob in dreams that his sons would be ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel who would follow the one God.

Later in history, some Psalms were written for the tribes' temple worship. Psalms 42 and 43 were prayers for healing of (and righteousness for) pilgrims about to go to Jerusalem. Psalms 83, 85 and 86 were appeals for deliverance from national and personal enemies and adversity. Apparently following the one God required sacrifices along the way.

Fast forward to Mark's account of Jesus' public life: His newly commissioned apostles had just returned for rest from preaching, healing and casting out demons throughout Galilee, but their many spiritually starved followers preceded them to the rest area. Understanding the five thousand people's physical hunger, Jesus told his apostles to give them their two fish and five loaves of bread, which He blessed. After all were fed, there were twelve baskets of leftovers! Jesus wants us to be always quick to share our material blessings, but more importantly, to share the imperishable bread of life which He so generously provides. Telling about Jesus' sacrifice for all can bless today's seekers more abundantly than we can ever know.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote of his pride that Jesus appeared to him and changed his life. To benefit this young church, Paul sacrificed his apostle's right to be paid. His ceaseless sacrificial missionary efforts eventually led to his execution.

Countless subsequent followers of our Lord have been martyred for their Faith. What have you and I sacrificed lately?

Cecile Torbergsen

Friday, March 12, 2010

Genesis 47:1-26; 1st Corinthians 9:16-27; Mark 6:47-56
Psalms: Morning 88; Evening 91, 92

…and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea…

Mark 6:48c-d, KJV

Last year, I read an article about a scientist who had found that a specific portion of the Sea of Galilee freezes on occasion. He postulated that this could explain how the Apostles saw Jesus walking on the water: he was, in fact, walking on the sheet of ice. Whew — mystery solved!

There are many people who seek a real or scientific explanation for the various miracles we read about in the New Testament. Bringing Lazarus back to life after three days? Lazarus was in fact not dead but a victim of some exotic disease which brought his life functions to near death, and his recovery coincided with the call from Jesus to come out of the tomb. That's why he did not begin decomposing, as his sister Mary feared.

The blind man was not blind but was suffering from amnesia, which caused him to forget how to see. (This phenomenon has been documented by several scientists in our own time.) The words of Jesus merely broke through the barrier and let his perfectly-fine physical eyesight begin to work.

Healing the lame? Multiplying loaves and fishes? Casting out demons? All explained in nice, tidy packages for those who need that little extra nudge beyond mere faith. (Don't even get me started on the theories behind the virgin birth!)

It's this sort of need that makes supposedly faithful people worship the Shroud of Turin, or search for the Holy Grail, or make pilgrimages to trees with knotholes that resemble the Madonna and Child. Physical evidence counts for much in a court of law, but how much should it count in the heart of one who truly believes, without having seen?

John B. Pfeifer

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Genesis 47:27-48:7; 1st Corinthians 10:1-13; Mark 7:1-23
Psalms: Morning 87, 90; Evening 136

A LIFE OF SACRIFICE DOES NOT END AT DEATH

Do you know where you will be buried or if you will be buried when you die? This is one of our family's ongoing conflicts, especially since Burt and I married. I had always planned to be buried with my parents in Ecru, Mississippi, but I vowed to be buried with Burt when we married and he has no ties to Ecru.

Jacob faced the same dilemma at the time of his death at age 147. He had lived with his entire family in Egypt for 17 years, but his beloved Rachael died in the land of Canaan and was buried beside the road to Bethlehem. Jacob made his son Joseph promise to bury him in the land where his forefathers were buried. He told Joseph,

God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me and said to me, I am going to make you fruitful and will increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you…

Genesis 48:3b-4, NIV

And so Joseph did as his father wished. There was a great procession and lamentation from the Land of Goshen to the tomb of Abraham where Jacob was buried.

Jesus knew he was going to die, but a burial place was not on his mind. His life of sacrifice was focused on his resurrection. After his death, he was placed in a tomb offered by Nicodemus. The women who followed him prepared his body, not the physicians as in Egypt who were skilled in embalming. But all of that really wasn't necessary because on the third day, he arose, and that is what we celebrate.

This Lenten Season we are not to get caught up in rules, rituals and revelry as the Pharisees did in today's lesson in Mark 7:1-23. We are not to worry about worldly matters such as where we will be buried. We are to:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1, NIV

Beverly Stubblefield

Lent Week 4 Instructions

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Genesis 48:8-22; Romans 8:11-25; John 6:27-40
Morning Psalms: 28, 29 Evening Psalm: 8, 84

In today's Old Testament reading from Genesis, Jacob blesses both of Joseph's sons, but places the right-hand blessing on Joseph's second son, Ephraim, rather than on his first son, Manasseh. Joseph is displeased with his father's actions (perhaps because he knew what can happen to a child who is shown preference above his older siblings) and attempts to put Jacob's right hand on Manasseh's head; but Jacob refuses, saying he has intentionally giving the stronger blessing to Ephraim. In a culture where being a son, and especially being the eldest son, was a position of such prestige, how difficult it must have been for Manasseh to stand by and hear his grandfather saying that his younger brother would be greater than he would be.

None of us likes being considered second-best or second-favored. It hurts when relatives or friends make it clear that someone else is their favorite or when there seems to be an unequal distribution of material possessions amongst family members in wills or bequests. But this is the way of the world. We're all human and humans, despite our best efforts, sometimes play favorites; and, being human, we're apt to get our feelings hurt when this happens and we're the recipient of the second- (or third- or fourth-) best blessing. Only in God's eyes can we all stand equal, without jostling for position or worrying about who might be getting more than we are. His eternal reward—the greatest blessing of all—is there for all of us just for the asking!

Deborah Pfeifer

Monday, March 15, 2010

Genesis 49:1-28; 1st Corinthians 10:14-11:1; Mark 7:24-37
Psalms: Morning 89:1-18; Evening 89:19-52

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians warns the Christian faithful to flee from idolatry even to the point to avoid any meat which may have been offered up on the idol's altar. But, at this point, Paul uses what may be the first written instance of Don't ask, don't tell. He says that if you are not aware that the meat has been a pagan offering, there is no crime involved; however, if you know that the meat has been used in a pagan sacrifice, it should politely refused.

More important is his statement that everything we do should be for the greater glory of God. Do not offer offence to anyone regardless of their affiliation, acting as a role model for Christianity. By doing this the unbeliever can be saved.

This was demonstrated in the book of Mark. Jesus was accosted by a Gentile woman who pleaded with him to cure her daughter of an unclean spirit. At first Jesus tried to brush her off, trying to limit his ministry to the Jews, by implying that the Jews should be fed (ministered to) first The woman retorted that even dogs get to feed on the crumbs of food that fall from the table. Jesus recognized the justice of this and immediately cured the daughter.

Jesus' action was for the greater glory of God and led to opening up of the Word of God to the entire world.

Can we as Christians do any less?

Bob Olson

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Genesis 49:29-50:14; 1st Corinthians 11:17-34; Mark 8:1-10
Psalms: Morning 97, 99, 100; Evening 94, 95

When Jacob ended his charge to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 49:33

Occasionally, the Father tells me to write a meditation on a specific topic. The reasons for some are more obvious than others. To be honest, I have fought writing this one since mid-November. Now, I have finally surrendered on this day before Epiphany because of this verse from Genesis. After writing this paragraph, I received an e-mail telling me a business associate had just returned from an extended leave to handle her father's estate. As Father Brian put it in a recent e-mail Some of us have to be hit with a baseball bat. Enough already. I get the message.

In early October, a friend in my choir in Houston was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. This friend had supported my writing and my singing. When she died in mid-December, I truly wanted to go to the funeral in Houston, but such was not to be.

As often happens, two more deaths occurred over the next couple of days. The college buddy who brought me to Slidell went to his aunt's funeral in Ohio. I did not get to my friend's funeral because my Houston-based brother was at the funeral for my nephew's mother-in-law in central Texas.

Christmas was so much of a struggle for me this year a CECS member asked me about it. I have been blessed with a multitude of wonderful Christmas memories. One of the best was how proud my grandmother was the year I learned how to sing Gloria in excelsis Deo in one breath. Two days later, I found her dead.

I was with Dad when he died. My retired medical professor aunt instructed us on what to say to help him. My mother and brother only were able to say it once. My aunt and I were successful several more times. Finally, my aunt choked and the last words Dad heard were mine: Don't be afraid. Everything is going to be all right.

Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Genesis 50:15-26; 1st Corinthians 12:1-11; Mark 8:11-26
Psalms: Morning 101, 109:1-30; Evening 119:121-144

According to the epistle reading for today God gives us spiritual gifts according to our needs. He tells us that people sometimes speak by the Spirit of God. He also explains that there are a variety of gifts and explained each one.

Many years ago, my husband and I attended a non-denominational church with friends on a Sunday evenings. The preacher was a wonderful speaker. During these services, we learned about the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.

During the service one evening, something kept telling me to go to the nursery and pray for healing of a baby there. I had never done anything like this. Believing this was being told to me by the Holy Spirit, I got up and went to the nursery, prayed for the baby, and returned to the service.

When we returned to the church the next week, a woman asked me if I was the one who prayed for the baby. I told her I did. She told me the child had had serious health issues but they disappeared after I prayed for the child.

The doctor could not explain how this happened. I could not explain it either. I believed God had healed the child. The pastor told me God had given me this gift of healing.

God is good all the time. All the time, God is good. Pray and ask God for your spiritual gift.

Betty Tonkel

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Exodus 1:6-22; 1st Corinthians 12:12-26; Mark 8:27-9:1
Psalms: Morning 69; Evening 73

…We are one in the spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
And they'll know we are Christians by our love.

* See below

There are many faithful in every congregation. Some are eyes, some are ears, some are hands, some are feet, but all are hearts. The message is that it takes all of us to be the body of Christ.

I know that when my feet hurt the message goes to the rest of my body that it needs to rest. The body of Christ can never rest. When one member is hurting, the rest of the body needs to take up the slack and carry on the work of the one who is hurting.

Can you imagine how Jesus must feel, looking down on His Father's creation and seeing the enmity and strife. I would think (if I were in Jesus' position) was my sacrifice worth it? I guess that whether or not the sacrifice was worth it is to be determined.

Jesus sacrificed all He had for us, all of us. Will we do the same for Him? Can we?

Shalom,
Terry Brown

* They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
By Rev. Peter Scholtes
UBP CCLI # 3148428

Friday, March 19, 2010

Exodus 2:1-22; 1st Corinthians 12:27-13:3; Mark 9:2-13
Psalms: Morning 102; Evening 107:1-32

God will keep faith with us. That is a simple and perhaps, to some, even a trite little statement. Yet it bears the hope and faith of all who follow God's ways. It's easy to say yet difficult to remember when we're nearing despair with our troubles. He will meet our needs and answer our prayers. The gifts he gives may seem strange and the answer a little off from what we expected or thought we needed but it is God's answer not our answer.

Several years ago I found myself eaten alive with troubles that were ultimately the result of my own actions. I prayed constantly but it didn't get any better. I prayed faithfully and from the heart but my pain grew greater by the moment. Then one day I changed the way I prayed. I simply told God that I couldn't carry it alone and asked Him to bear it. He did. The pain went away. The tension left my back and neck and I was fine. When I stopped telling God what to do and told Him that I was ready for what He knew He should do I started getting past it and everything began to work out. I wasn't freed from the consequences of my own actions but I could take it.

When Moses' mother had him put in the river I don't think she had any idea what would happen to him but she had faith that God would care for him. When Jesus told his disciples mot to speak of the events they witnessed until he was risen from the dead, they didn't understand what that meant but had faith. Paul told the Corinthians not to desire gifts that they didn't have but to be faithful that God knew what he was doing. In the Psalms, the pain is great but so is the faith that God will heal it. As Father Ernie once said, and I paraphrase here, don't tell God how to do His job; He knows what He's doing.

R. Lane Reynolds

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Exodus 2:23-3:15; 1st Corinthians 13:1-13; Mark 9:14-29
Psalms: Morning 107:33-108:13; Evening 33

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

1st Corinthians 13:13

When it comes to Bible translations, I'm fond of saying, If it was good enough for King James, its good enough for me. But today's Epistle reading from 1st Corinthians is a rare case where I prefer the New Revised Standard Version. It also dovetails nicely into the story I want to share.

My husband, John, was asked to read 1st Corinthians 13 at his brother's wedding. Lillian, our oldest daughter, was not quite two years old at the time. John was holding Lillian in his arms when it came time for him to begin the reading. Lillian, being a Daddy's girl, would not let him go; so up to the lectern came John, holding Lillian. He began the reading, enumerating love's traits as explained by Paul:

Love is patient; love is kind;
love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.

1st Corinthians 13:4-7

Beautiful words—especially for a wedding—and, to a proud wife and mother, made even more special because my husband was reading them while holding our daughter, who was being very good and quiet. Then John came to the line:

When I was a child, I spoke like a child…

1stCorinthians 13:11

Lillian suddenly looked up and said quite clearly, Mommy! A chuckle went through the congregation. Everyone knew at that moment that the greatest of all things is love.

Deborah Pfeifer

Lent Week 5 Instructions

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Exodus 3:16-4:12; Romans 12:1-21; John 8:46-59
Psalms: Morning 118; Evening 145

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say

Exodus 4:12, KJV

This is probably the only time in my life I have ever said this, but I know exactly how Moses felt. He has just heard God speaking out of the burning bush, and he has just learned that he is to approach Pharaoh and demand the release of the Hebrews. This is one of the most cinematic moments in the Old Testament, yet the part that hits closest to my heart is when Moses asks how he can take on this task when he is not an eloquent man,

…slow of speech, and of a slow tongue

Exodus 4:11, KJV

Many times I have had to speak in church, and even more often to lead songs. I always wonder how I am going to accomplish these tasks. I am not a good speaker and not a good singer. Practices never go well, and I always fear that I will be horrible. The time always comes, however, when I realize that I need to put my trust in the Lord. It's not me speaking or singing…He is working through me.

No matter what we do, when we do it in the right context, to give glory to God, He will look upon it favorably. Knowing this, there are few tasks I won't undertake in His honor.

John B. Pfiefer

Monday, March 22, 2010

Exodus 4:10-31; 1st Corinthians 14:1-19; Mark 9:30-41
Psalms: Morning 31; Evening 35

The Doubting Thomas Syndrome

All of today's appointed lessons reflect the doubts, insecurities, misinterpretations, jealousies, and fears of enemies' harm that confound mankind. In spite of God's continuing assurances, trusting in the Lord is a mighty leap of faith even in today's world. Moses argues that he isn't eloquent or the least bit confident, and he tries over and over to resist God's command to return to Egypt, to confront Pharaoh, and to convince the Israelites that they are God's chosen people. (Exodus 4:10-31)

In 1st Corinthians 14:1-9, Paul explains that the gifts of the Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophecy, are two vastly different communications.

Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church.

1st Corinthians 14:4

In Mark 9:30-41, the apostles had been arguing about who was the greatest and had been trying to stop an exorcist who was casting out demons in Jesus' name. With two sentences, Jesus momentarily sets them straight.

Whoever wants to be first must be least of all and servant of all.

Mark 9:35b

Whoever is not against us is for us.

Mark 9:40

Psalms 31 and 35 are laments over enemies' attacks and pleas to God for deliverance. While Psalm 31 praises God's goodness,

You are indeed my rock and my fortress. v 3a

Psalm 35 promises to publicly praise God WHEN the speaker is rescued. Bargaining with God, arguing with God, and questioning God are human frailties. Why can't we just blindly and unfailingly TRUST IN THE LORD? Why must we get wrapped up in the Doubting Thomas syndrome? Who's in charge, anyway?

Shiela MacArthur

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Exodus 5:1-6:1; 1st Corinthians 14:20-33a,39-40; Mark 9:42-50
Psalms: AM 120, 121, 122, 123; PM 124, 125, 126, 127

For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

Mark 9:49-50

Matthew 5:13, Luke 14:34-35 and here in Mark all contain references to salt losing its saltiness. In each case, it is one or two verses wedged between other sayings of Jesus. The surrounding verses are apparently unrelated to the salt or to each other. Jesus apparently left this one for us to figure out, so here's my stab at it.

For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; Since the result of the fire is good, this is obviously not the fire of destruction, nor does it appear to be a fire kindled for warmth. This, then, is the third fire of scripture - the flaming presence of God, the fire of Baptism by the Holy Spirit.

Salt is an ionic compound of a metal with a halogen, non-metal, or oxidizing radical—particles bearing opposite electric charges, different, even opposite, yet bound together. Salt, then, is the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, given in the fire of baptism by the spirit.

The taste and chemical action of salt require freeing the ions from the crystal lattice, usually by the action of water or fire (there's baptism again!) Salt loses its saltiness when it forms large crystals which will not dissolve. Then, it is only good as an irritant. (Gout and kidney stones are both the result of salts crystallizing in the body.)

So don't crystallize! Keep the Holy Spirit and the body in motion within you!

Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

Gus Michel

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Exodus 7:8-24; 2nd Corinthians 2:14-3:6; Mark 10:1-16
Psalms: Morning 119:145-176; Evening 128, 129, 130

What is a miracle? When I was very young, I was told the moon was made of green cheese. Being a cheese lover, I wanted to go there just to get a taste. I was told that would take a miracle.

As a teenager in 1969, Neil Armstrong made my miracle come true. My father insisted I stay up and watch the first steps on the moon as they happened. Sadly, my childhood fantasy of tasting the green cheese died that night.

From my earliest years, I have accepted the miracles in the Bible as having happened. Some of those miracles have very reasonable explanations for what really happened. Two are in our Exodus lesson for today. The snake being as stiff as a wooden staff does indeed exist but eating its own kind is a bit of an oddity.

Turning the Nile into blood is a bit trickier. Yes, you can put some chemicals into water and make it appear as blood on a small controlled scale. Doing this without chemicals on the longest single river in the world is another story.

When I was in Houston, marine scientists identified a problem off Galveston Bay called red tide. This salt water condition kills virtually all life while turning the water red. Someone observed the similarities between red tide and the Exodus plagues. At the time, no one had ever documented a case of red tide in fresh water, but a case was documented fresh water several years later.

Have you ever noticed how there always seems to be an explanation for some miracles? Yes, a fresh water red tide may well explain the cascade of plagues in Egypt, but the timing cannot be explained. Through the years, I have debated with many atheists and they always throw these explanations in my face. What they never explain is the timing.

In Mark, the disciples were preventing children from visiting with Jesus until He told them no. Children have a wonderful innocence that allows them to believe in things which we adults do not. Jesus knew this and tried to teach this innocence to the disciples. Have you eaten any green cheese lately?

Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Exodus 7:25-8:19; 2nd Corinthians 3:7-18; Mark 10:17-31
Psalms: Morning 131, 132, 133; Evening 140, 142

Dear Jesus,

This world, in its current state, resembles a trial for destruction. Even in our learning communities, it is sometimes difficult to keep our eyes on your teachings.

For us being Christian, there is always a threat to turn and not believe in the one and only true Teaching. The media and other pressures are always out to try to turn us to the unholy and false ways.

We don't always know it, but we can sometimes involuntarily worship idols such as idols, fads, and music. You protect us when we turn away with a veil over our hearts so that the devil doesn't taint our bodies with hell.

But to our fortune, when we realize our mistakes and return back to your will, the veil is removed and your love is our freedom. And for this, I thank you, as we would be lost sheep as many others.

Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2nd Corinthians 3:15-17 *

Kyle Giangrosso

* Editor's Note: The quote comes from the New American Bible St. Joseph Medium Edition.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Exodus 9:13-35; 2nd Corinthians 4:1-12; Mark 10:32-45
Psalms: Morning 22; Evening 141, 143

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me,
from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.

Psalm 22:1-2

As most of you know, I like to sing. Most of my life, I have known the lyrics to a number of songs. Even today, I can sing many Christmas songs without looking at the lyrics.

Many of these songs are a part of who I am. For example, Bridge Over Troubled Water by Paul Simon as performed by Art Garfunkel has surfaced a number of times when I fighting depression. For me, this song is the Father's response to the opening verses of Psalm 22 because He is always close behind me and will ease my mind.

When I first started having problems with kidney stones many years ago, I sang a folk mass version of Kyrie eleison while waiting for my sister-in-law to come to my house to take me to the hospital. For my younger readers, Kyrie eleison is Latin for Lord, have mercy upon me. Focusing on the song helped me deal with the very intense pain.

For Jesus, the Psalms were his hymnal. To the best of my research, none of the tunes Jesus might have used have survived. What I can tell you is the Psalms rhyme in the original Hebrew.

I can very easily believe Jesus knew the words to many, if not all of the Psalms by heart. Given my experience with Kyrie Eleison, I can see where Jesus would have used the Psalms to deal with His pain on the cross. His was truly A Life of Sacrifice —the sacrifice to end all sacrifices. Make no mistake: The Father was close at hand as the empty tomb on Easter morning tells us. The impossible just takes a little bit longer.

Do you sing to the Lord?

Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Exodus 10:21-11:8; 2nd Corinthians 4:13-18; Mark 10:46-52
Psalms: Morning 137, 144; Evening 42, 43

Then the Lord said to Moses, Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt — darkness that can be felt. So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

Exodus 10:21-23, NIV

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2nd Corinthians 4:18, NIV

What do you want me to do for you, Jesus asked him. The blind man said, Rabbi, I want to see.
Go, said Jesus, your faith has healed you. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Mark 10:51&52, NIV

Walking Blind… Did you ever have times where you feel like you're wandering aimlessly through life; totally lost, no direction, no purpose, no joy?

I know that I have felt this many times, more than I can count. The darkness is so intense, devoid of light, that it can be felt. Being in a deep underground cave with all the lights turned off, where one cannot sense his own hands even when held less than an inch away from his eyes, is probably a close physical analog to this total darkness.

I've often wondered why I, and probably others, experience this total darkness. The answer is probably God reminding us of our need for Him; our need to allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and guide the steps of our lives, including all of our decisions and attitude toward all people and things. The Holy Spirit also helps us to fix our eyes on what is not seen in the natural and physical realm, such as the eternal effects of our relationships with all people we interact with in the present. Doing this is necessary to bring light into the darkness in order to sense and know the ultimate purpose of our lives.

In Mark, I believe that Jesus restored the blind man's sight in more ways than one; Jesus also enabled and showed him how to also fix his eyes upon the unseen eternal things of God's kingdom.

Larry deQuay

Holy Week Instructions

Holy Week Instructions, cont.

Holy Week Instructions, cont.

Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010

Morning: Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 24, 29; 1st Timothy 6:12-16
Evening: Zechariah 12:9-11, 13:1, 7-9; Psalm 103; Luke 19:41-48

A LIFE OF SACRIFICE IS TO BE PRAISED

At the time of this writing I am saddened by the cancellation of the Living Nativity at Live Oaks Ranch, which has become Live Oaks Lake. All year my mind has envisioned the entrance of little Mary on a horse and three wise men leading the quarter horse camels to the stable and manger where baby Jesus is to be laid.

Today is Palm Sunday which celebrates the triumphant entrance of Christ on an untamed colt into the city of Jerusalem where he will soon be crucified. Zechariah 9:9 prophesied about this grand entrance with praise and excitement: Shout Cheer, Raise the roof, Your King is coming! A good king who makes all things right, a humble king riding a donkey, a mere colt of a donkey, NIV. He will offer peace to the nations, a peaceful rule worldwide. (It takes quite a cowboy to ride an untamed colt, especially in what turns out to be parade, something we Mardi Gras participants know a little about.)

Just as I anticipated the Living Nativity, the Children of Zion awaited the coming of a king. What they expected and what actually happened were two different things. Jesus did not come to rule, he came to save through the sacrifice of his life. From now on, people are my swords. We believers are to be the weapons of war against evil and destruction. But it takes a life of faith to be such, and we tend to exercise little of our faith and maintain our worldly expectations.

Christ will come again, Faithful and True, riding a white horse, (at least that's what I imagine being a horsewoman.) Rev. 19:11. Are we doing our part as swords to fight against evil and self-destruction? Our country needs us to be faithful warriors more than ever. We need to be brave riders and enter into challenging times and situations with trust and confidence in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, it's not just about the palms, it's about the sacrifice of Christ's Life. Are you ready to join in the parade to Calvary or are you awaiting a cavalry?

Beverly Stubblefield

Monday, March 29, 2010

Lamentations 1:1-2,6-12; 2nd Corinthians 1:1-7; Mark 11:12-25
Psalms: Morning 51; Evening 69:1-23

Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Mark 11:24, KJV

When I lived in Los Angeles, I had the pleasure of going to Lakers basketball games, and I got to watch Magic Johnson play against Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. All three of these great stars could make shots that I didn't believe possible. After watching an interview with Magic, I learned their secret: they were able to visualize themselves making the shot, and then they let their body perform the actions they saw themselves performing.

Human beings can do amazing things when they allow themselves to override their negative thoughts and see themselves succeeding at what they do. It's a technique that I apply in my job. Most people are deathly afraid to speak in front of other people. I simply visualize myself being a confident, informative, and hopefully entertaining speaker…and then I allow my body to speak and move in the way that the person I see is doing.

Like most people who have to speak in front of others, however, I have had my times of stage fright. They always come when I am unfamiliar with the topic or when I haven't adequately prepared to present it. The same was true for those great basketball players; they had the confidence that came from hundreds of hours of practice and perfection of their technique, and then they could let their visualization take over.

Faith is like that, Jesus says in verse 23 of today's Gospel reading. Have faith to move a mountain, and it will be cast into the sea. And like Magic, Larry, or Michael, you'll hit nothing but net.

John B. Pfeifer

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Lamentations 1:17-22; 2nd Corinthians 1:8-22; Mark 11:27-33
Psalms: Morning 6, 12; Evening 94

You and I were not there when Jesus was moving around the Holy Land, performing miracles and teaching the new gospel, but we have heard his simple, uncomplicated message and say we believe. But do we really believe and follow Christ without wavering and without question? Do we come to Jesus as little children, joyful in our belief?

Jesus spoke to large crowds of people, and included among the common Jewish people are Hebrew religious officials and their representatives. They listen to what Jesus says and see what he does, but they do not believe. They marvel that this man has the nerve to refute the old laws and claim to have knowledge of a paradise for people who are willing to live without riches, treat each other with love, and worship God as little children would, full of pure faith and belief.

Totally outraged by Jesus' teachings, the Hebrew religious leaders put the question to him, By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you the authority to do them? They knew that if Jesus said his authority came straight from God, they would have opportunity to charge him with defying Hebrew laws and bring him to trial, ending his spreading of the new gospel.

Instead of answering their question directly, Jesus turned the question around and asked them if they believed John the Baptist's authority to baptize came from God or man. Fearful of the crowd, followers of John and Jesus, they were unwilling to put their lives in danger, so they answered, We do not know.

How many times have you and I said, I do not know to Jesus? How many times have we refused to acknowledge faith in Jesus and share our joy in Christ with others in need or want? How often have we made our own pleasure a barricade to following Jesus' simple and easy to understand teachings and let our desire for riches and power supersede Christ's message? How can we stop saying, I don't know, and refocus ourselves to have pure faith and follow in the steps of Jesus?

The answer is easy. Be as little children in your faith, finding peace for your soul in Jesus.

Bob Lawrence

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Lamentations 2:1-9, 14-17; 2nd Corinthians 1:23-2:11; Mark 12:1-11;
Psalms: Morning 55; Evening 74

I have always had trouble reading the Book of Lamentations. Not really a surprise. The book is difficult to read because it is a long and heart-felt lament. It is a cry of pain and loss. First there is the pain and loss that the profit Jeremiah feels for all of the beauty and history of the people, but then there is the even deeper loss that God feels for the punishment he has had to visit on his chosen people.

Yes, God suffers when his people suffer. He cares deeply for the pain of his people. He grieves for our anguish like a parent hurts when punishing a child. If the parent doesn't punish the child then the child doesn't learn that actions have consequences. The parent knows this and knows that he or she will feel the pain of the punishment just as much, or more, than the child feels it. The parent understands how important it is for a child to learn about the results of their actions, and hands out the punishment. Love requires it. Love demands it. Love forgives and heals it.

God punished the Children of Israel when they turned away from him. He sent them The Law to guide them, rabbis to teach The Law and profits to interpret and illustrate the fine points of The Law. In the end they ignored the rabbis, and killed the profits. He punished them but eventually forgave them and finally made the law perfect with the sacrifice of his son. God's love required him to send his son to pay our debt of sin. Like any parent he felt our pain and made the ultimate sacrifice so that our pain would one day end.

R Lane Reynolds

Maundy Thursday, April 1, 2010

Lamentations 2:10-18; 1st Corinthians 10:14-17, 11:27-32; Mark 14:12-25;
Psalms: Morning 102; Evening 142, 143

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1st Corinthians 10:31

When I first read today's assigned readings, I read completely through 1st Corinthians 10:14-11:32, where one of my favorite Scripture verses is 1st Corinthians 10:31. Paul truly got Christ's messages and knew how to sum up His instructions. In this case, Paul emphasizes that our words and actions should point to and reflects the splendor and radiance of God's grace and majesty.

This reminds me of Christ's commandments to love God above all, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Then I think of the What would Jesus do? bracelets. Would our Lord be pleased with what I am doing?

Daily readings from Forward Day by Day and this book of Lenten meditations will help me to stay God-centered. Nonetheless, time and time again I will miss the mark, fall into sin, dishonor God, and then pray for forgiveness.

On the night before He died, Jesus commanded his friends to remember His final meal—the Passover supper—which they had just shared. And so on each Maundy Thursday, we and Christians everywhere celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist.

Thanks be to God, who commands and commends this celebration, and showers us with His grace whenever we partake of the Holy Communion! Therefore, because of His boundless forgiveness and steadfast love, we must keep Him uppermost in our thoughts and prayers, so that everything we do will be to His glory.

Cecile Torbergsen

Good Friday, April 2, 2010

Lamentations 3:1-9,19-33; 1st Peter 1:10-20;
AM: John 13:36-38; Psalm 22; PM: John 19:38-42; Psalm 40, 54

The Ultimate and Unconditional Love of God!

The scriptures assigned for today don't refer to John 3:16 but, I believe all of the scripture points to that verse. Somehow, it seems that this scripture has lost some of its impact. We all know the verse so well:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

John 3:16

God allows us the freedom to make mistakes (sin). He shows us the way He wants us to go and then leaves it up to us to take His Way.

I've wondered, as have many others, how today can be called Good. I have done some research and found that some believe that it originally was called God's Friday. A source I researched states that he thinks that we call today Good Friday because, in pious retrospect, all that tragedy brought about the greatest good there could be. This information is from www.kencollins.com.

Based on this premise, today can be called Good because of the ultimate sacrifice of God's only Son to save the world. Jesus' sacrifice is God's ultimate act of unconditional love.

Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice, may we all strive to live as you would have us live.

Shalom,
Terry Brown

Holy Saturday, April 3, 2010

Morning: Lamentations 3:37-58; Hebrews 4:1-16; Psalm 88
Evening: Romans 8:1-11; Psalm 27

When I first received this assignment, I got in touch with Wes: What's this—no Gospel reading for today? No, there isn't; and, as I thought about it, it made perfect sense. There is no Gospel reading because this is the one day on the Christian calendar that is not about certainty, but about waiting; today we await the Good News of the resurrection.

I'm not always brave, but I always have faith that the sacrifice of Jesus will be my salvation; and I have two millennia of the Gospels to rely on when times are tough. What if I were a disciple on this day two thousand and ten years ago, locked in a room, afraid, having seen Jesus crucified the day before? Would I have faith? Would I be confident that I would see the Messiah's resurrection within a few hours?

On that day, there were no Gospels, no Epistles, no New Testament, none of the comfort that comes from knowing what has already happened. The disciples did have the Psalms, however. I like to think that they were comforted in their waiting by reciting some of their favorite verses. Perhaps this from Psalm 88 provided some consolation:

Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead?
Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.
Shall thy loving kindness be declared in the grave?
or thy faithfulness in destruction?
Shall thy wonders be known in the dark?
and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Psalm 88:10-12, KJV

They were waiting with faith that the dead shall indeed arise: waiting for the most important rising of the dead ever!

Deborah Pfeifer

Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010

Exodus 12:1-14; Isaiah 51:9-11; John 1:1-18;
Psalms: Morning 148, 149, 150; Evening 113, 114, 118

Alleluia! Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! What a BLESSED DAY we are invited to enjoy. I hope that you have noticed that I put EXCLAMATION MARKS rather than just a period after each Alleluia and the phrase Christ Is Risen. Exclamation points show us that this is not just a word to be said but one that is to be filled with enthusiasm and great joy.

As our story from Exodus tells us this shall be a day of remembrance….You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. Just as the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday, was about turning from the ways of the world to the ways of Christ, so is Easter a day to celebrate not ourselves but of what God has done in raising Jesus from the dead.

As the ransomed of the Lord from our reading in Isaiah, we are to live a life that fulfills this prophecy as we come to Zion singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. This is the life that we can have if we choose it.

Therefore beloved of the Lord, I invite you to live a holy Easter life, filled with this joy and gladness. Let us all show the world that the words of St. John's gospel lesson is very true. In the beginning was the Word, Jesus, and He was with God, and He was (and always will be) God. …. He was in the world and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God…

In this Easter season let us with great purpose share this way of life with a world that needs such a way of life. Holy and dedicated to the service of our Lord and God. Alleluia! Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Fr. Ernest Saik

My Thanks

First and foremost, I have to thank all of those who shared a part of themselves in writing this book. Several did not have a clue as to what they were getting into when they agreed to write a meditation for me. I tip my hat to you, the writers of this book for your quality, purity of thought, and the incredible healing shown.

Second, I need to thank those who thought this project was so important they gave of their time to make it happen. Several writers accepted the challenge of writing multiple meditations to insure all the days were covered. Gus Michel did double duty as he put this book on the Christ Episcopal Church website.

Third, I need to thank all of those who underwrote the cost of these books. These anonymous benefactors know who they are. Without them, these books would never have gotten to print.

Fourth, I need to thank Sue Stine for taking the pictures of our stained glass windows and Gerry Gillio at The Logo Store for formatting these pictures into a collage. I have used these pictures on several occasions for several very different purposes. The collage on the cover happened by sheer accident several years ago. Personally, this collage is one most impressive pieces of artwork I have ever seen in my life.

Finally, I need to thank Father Ernie Saik for his support of this project. I was ready to throw in the towel at Thanksgiving but he ask me to persevere. Positive feedback from the Advent Meditation book readers showed how appreciated the efforts of everyone associated with this book are.

Grace and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit,
Wes McComb

Photo of Church Building
Christ Episcopal Church 1534 Seventh Street, between Gause and Fremaux
1534 Seventh Street, Slidell, LA   Telephone: (985) 643-4531

Join Us for Worship

The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, March 28th
8:00 am — The Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist *
10:30 am — The Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist *
Monday in Holy Week, March 29th
5:30 pm — Evening Prayer
Tuesday in Holy Week, March 30th
5:30 pm — Evening Prayer
Wednesday in Holy Week, March 31st
5:30 pm — Holy Eucharist
Maundy Thursday, April 1st
6:00 pm — Holy Eucharist w/ Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar
Good Friday, April 2nd
12:00 pm — Stations of the Cross
6:00 pm — Mass of the Pre-sanctified w/ Veneration of the Cross
Holy Saturday / Easter Eve, April 3rd
8:00 pm — The Great Vigil of Easter & the Easter Feast *
Easter Sunday, April 4th
10:00 am — Festal Eucharist *

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