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. 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 best research I have shows this series of books started at St. Christopher's in Houston. Alyce Pyle brought the idea to Holy Spirit where Jane Brown took the baton she still carries by producing these books for each Advent and Lent. I wrote meditations for Jane for a number of years. When I came to Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell, Louisiana in 2006, bringing this wonderful idea with me seemed to be appropriate given the parish was celebrating 100 years of serving the Father.
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.
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.
Gapitpoths,
J. Wesley McComb
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.BCP, page 217.
Jonah 3:1-4:11 , Hebrews 12:1-14 , Luke 18:9-14
Psalms: Morning 32 , 143 ; Evening 102 , 130
“Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.”
Psalm 130:2
Jonah refused the task God set before him. After deliberation (and being swallowed whole by a great fish) Jonah reconsidered and undertook the work he considered impossible.
The season of Lent is a difficult time for people from Louisiana. Lent interrupts the stream of drinking and eating that epitomizes our way of life. Few have ever heard of the three-day period of fasting called Shrovetide, which prepares the soul to enter the 40 days of Lent. Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day or Fat Tuesday) is the last chance to sin, to “party”, the day to do something that requires repentance.
Ash Wednesday is the day to begin to repent for the past year's sins. Lent, as a season of fasting and consideration of our place in God's universe, is more of an inconvenience than an opportunity. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, the masks we each wear are abandoned, and we enter Lent revealing our true natures to ourselves and to our God.
Just as Jonah had to reconcile his own nature before he could undertake the task God assigned, each of us must examine our own nature as we continue in the work God and His Son, Jesus set before us: Salvation.
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.”
Psalm 143:10
Traditional Lenten foods: Pretzels, Pancakes, and meatless Gumbo.
John H. Massarini
Deuteronomy 7:6-11 , Titus 1:1-16 , John 1:29-34
Psalms: Morning 37:1-18 ; Evening 37:19-42
“..though we stumble,
we shall not fall
headlong for the Lord holds us by the hand.”
Psalm 37:24
Reassuring words, they are. Our Anglican Church begins with a discussion of human sexuality and stumbles into a horrible loggerhead where each side is throwing words from the bible at the other as if they were spears to impale them. The election of a new bishop stumbles into lawsuits over who owns church property. At the national and diocesan level we stumble over financial scandal when human greed overtakes a brother or sister in Christ. At the parish level we stumble when we fail to welcome a visitor or, worse yet, allow a member of the parish family to leave hurt and angry. I start the day with resolve to be patient, kind of tongue and stumble over my pride. I don't take the time to truly listen to another's story. I say the sharp word from the ego, not the kind word from the soul.
Two random thoughts on stumbling - when we stumble, if we tense our body we are more likely to fall. When we fall, if we are rigid, we are more likely to be hurt. A second thought - there is comedy is watching someone trip. Clowns and comedians have perfected the art of stumbling, tripping and making us smile.
God grant me to trust in Him when I stumble, not become rigid and perhaps make someone else smile at my foolish ways.
Peace,
Claire Singer
Deuteronomy 7:12-16 , Titus 2:1-15 , John 1:35-42
Psalms: Morning 31 ; Evening 35
“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, ‘What are you seeking?’”
John 1:39 (ESV)
Jesus asked the men “What are you seeking?” Now that is a question that is relevant today. What are we seeking? Of course, you cannot seek much more than basic needs if you are homeless or hungry. I had never really encountered many people who were truly homeless until recently. But now it has become a regular occurrence. One day I packed a box of food for a man who looked as if he did not eat regularly. I put down the box and went to get little packs of utensils and when I returned to him, he had turned up the third packet of applesauce and was almost drinking it. I learned that he had not eaten at all in 2 days, so basically all this man was seeking was the very basic human needs. We see people like him daily. We cannot begin to understand how good life is for us until we see what it is like for others.
Are we seeking money so that we are financially secure? Do we want status in the community so that people admire us or do we want to live in the “right” neighborhood or belong to the “right” clubs? Some people work all of their lives to accumulate wealth or things. Of course, we saw with Hurricane Katrina how easily those “things” can disappear. We cannot take things or money with us when we die. We cannot take our status in the community to God as if it means anything to Him. If we do not have the commitment to Jesus, we are seeking the wrong things in this life. It is not wrong to own “things”, but the problem comes if that is our focus or commitment. If we are seeking those things instead of Jesus, we have missed the target.
Are we seeking to find God's will for our lives and experience that peace that only comes from God? If people watch us as we go about our daily lives, would they see Jesus' love? Would they see the Holy Spirit working in us? In this Lenten season, maybe we should be questioning ourselves as to what we are really seeking.
The men in this scripture replied to Jesus that they were seeking where He lived. They wanted to go with Him to His dwelling to talk with Him and learn from Him. They dropped everything to follow and learn from Jesus. Would we be willing to do just that? How different our everyday lives would be if we were seeking Jesus to learn from Him and to find His will for our lives.
Beth Gibson
Deuteronomy 7:17-26 , Titus 3:1-15 , John 1:43-51
Psalms: Morning 30 , 32 ; Evening 42 , 43
“Remind them to be subject to rulers and
authorities,
to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle,
and
show every courtesy to everyone.
For we ourselves were once
foolish, disobedient, led astray,
Slaves to various passions and
pleasures,
passing our days in malice and envy,
Despicable,
hating one another.”
Titus 3:1-3
When I was growing up, one of the most difficult times for me was to be in school just before a holiday. The three days before Thanksgiving were second only to Christmas. As most teachers will tell you, these days border on being worthless in trying to really teach students unless it centers on Thanksgiving itself. Even my private school was affected.
On one such day, Brother Ben walked into our room shortly after lunch. Ben was the Assistant Principal, but he also taught most of the Bible Study and Physical Education classes. Only when one of my classmates met him as an adult did we realize he was short in stature, because he was tough as nails.
Brother Ben had a serious look on his face. His very quick, private conversation left our teacher in tears. He quickly assumed control of the class and asked us to take out our Bibles. Brother Ben told us President Kennedy had been shot and was seriously wounded.
One young man made the mistake of cheering because his parents did not like the President. With his short hair bristling and fire in his eyes, Brother Ben made it very clear this was the wrong response. Paul wrote several passages like the one in Titus and we read it out loud. Over the next few minutes, Brother Ben explained how important it was that we come together and pray for our leaders. After a short prayer, Brother Ben was gone but the lesson he taught will forever be a part of me.
Each Sunday we pray for our political and religious leaders. I concede this has been a difficult task at times because I simply did not agree with one or more of them. Then I remember Brother Ben and the fire in his eyes. Sometimes, we simply have to do what is right even when we do not agree.
Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.BCP, page 218.
Deuteronomy 8:1-10 , 1 Corinthians 1:17-31 , Mark 2:18-22
Psalms: Morning 63 , 98 ; Evening 103
“…but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a
stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…”
1st Corinthians 1: 23
I am weird. This is not anything I aspired to when I was younger, believe me. I didn't sit around with my high schools buddies and talk about wanting to be weird after I graduated from college. It just sort of worked out that way.
I am weird because I live in a land of obscene abundance but, from time to time, practice self-denial. I am weird because I choose not to eat at all two days of the year, sometimes more. I am weird because I talk – in a manner of speaking – to someone whom I have never seen – in another manner of speaking. I am weird because I dress up in very strange late-medieval garb and sing to a room full of people almost every Sunday, although every now and then that strikes me as weird, too. I am weird because I think following Jesus means that I am inevitably going to have to sacrifice something. I am weirder because I am willing, even if reluctantly at times, to do so when I am convinced that Jesus is asking me to make the sacrifice. I am weirder still because I think this is a right, good, and joyful way to go about living. And I may be weirdest, most of all, in confessing, truly, that I don't believe I do nearly enough for Jesus.
At the end of the day, no matter how we try to dress it up, being a Christian is weird. Pledging our lives to the love of God and the welfare and peace of the world over and above, when necessary, our impulses to hoard and survive is a very strange thing to do. Taking our example from one who was executed a long, long time ago as common criminal is more than a bit odd.
That is what we do, we Christians. We proclaim Christ crucified. Our example is one who was willing to give up his life for the well-being and safety (i.e. salvation) of others. That has always been problematic to some, absurd to others, and in our own time, just a little weird.
But think about the alternative for a minute: Would you place your faith and hope and trust in things you know are temporary and passing and live primarily for yourself to the exclusion or detriment of others? I'm good with weird, thank you.
The Rev. Brian Grantz
Deuteronomy 8:11-20 , Hebrews 2:11-18 , John 2:1-12
Psalms: Morning 41 , 52 ; Evening 44
“For because he himself has suffered and been
tempted,
he is able to help those who are tempted”
Hebrews 2:18
The humanity of our Lord is one of the most important revelations in the New Testament. Scripture tells us that God tried different means of reaching and teaching His chosen people ever since their fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. The Israelites treasured God's Law/s given through Moses, and trusted God's promises made in the Covenant. Today's Psalms – one for healing from sickness (Psalm 41), one for deliverance from national enemies (Psalm 44), and one for judgment against a tyrant (Psalm 52) – illustrate Israel's faith that God would come through for them. Nevertheless, they repeatedly failed to live up to the demands of that Mosaic Law, and ignored or misunderstood the prophets throughout their history.
Thanks be to God, who sent His only son, Jesus, “made like his brethren in every respect…to make expiation for the sins of the people.” (John 2:17) Through His actions, miracles and parables, Jesus taught us to love God above all, and our neighbor as ourselves. He then gave up His earthly life so that we might finally “get it.” Our faith in Jesus assures that our manifold sins and wickedness will be forgiven once we live for Him. As professing Christians, how can we not get it? And once we do, how can we ever forget it? When we do forget about God's grace, we might think we are in charge. Our merciful Lord is always available to remind us of His love and generosity, available through our baptism and rebirth, through passages of our life, maybe even at a marriage feast such as in Cana (John 2:11-18). We can see God in those who acknowledge and revere Him.
Cecile Torbergsen
Deuteronomy 9:4-12 , Hebrews 3:1-11 , John 2:13-22
Psalms: Morning 45 ; Evening 47 , 48
“Make not my Father's house an house of merchandise”
John 2:16
Every Christmas season, one of our family traditions is to watch a gentle English comedy from the early 1990's called “Bernard and the Genie.” The story takes place just before Christmas. Bernard Bottle has lost both his job and his fiancée, one due to an unscrupulous boss and the other due to an unscrupulous friend. He is all alone in his empty apartment, with nothing left but a dusty antique lamp. With great sadness, Bernard picks up the lamp, starts to rub off the accumulated dust…and anyone who has ever read or seen a genie story knows what happens next: with great fanfare, a genie dramatically emerges from the lamp.
Bernard's genie is named Josephus and he's been in the lamp 2,000 years (give or take a year or two). During the course of the movie, Josephus learns about life in the 20th century. He quickly takes to junk food and action movies, but is less than impressed when he discovers that Bernard cannot legally slay the man who stole his girlfriend (“So, it's not all been progress,” he comments). However, the most intriguing thing about Josephus is that he knew Jesus and was with him when he performed several miracles. But Josephus was placed in the lamp before Jesus was crucified, so he knows nothing of Jesus' death and resurrection. To Josephus, Jesus was simply a “good guy” who “helped out” when a wedding party ran out of wine or when a crowd only had a few loaves and fishes to eat. An amusing scene occurs when Josephus tells Bernard about the time he saw Jesus chase the money changers from the temple. Josephus relates the story in his own inimitable way—likening Jesus' actions to those of his new favorite movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It is tempting for us to think like Josephus and to place what Jesus did into an action movie context, to identify with Jesus' unalloyed anger at the desecration of his father's house, and to feel a sense of vindication when the temple is cleared. But unlike a fictional genie in a fictional, if well-intentioned, movie, we are aware of who Jesus is and the framework of his life. We know that Jesus drove the money changers from the temple just before he announced that the destroyed temple would be raised up in three days, presaging his coming death and resurrection. When we read today's Gospel, as appealing as it is to focus the righteous fury that must have driven Jesus at the moment he “poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables,” we need to remain aware of and stay focused on what is coming soon. No action hero, no matter how physically powerful, has the power of eternal life that Jesus freely offers us through his death and rebirth.
Deborah Pfeifer
Deuteronomy 9:13-21 , Hebrews 3:12-19 , John 2:23-3:15
Psalms: Morning 119:49-72 ; Evening 49 , 53
My wife insists that men are physically and psychologically incapable of following instructions or asking directions. In certain, very limited, respects I'm inclined to agree with her. Take for example, putting together a kid's bike on Christmas Eve. Most men I know, myself included, will grab their tool boxes and jump right in paying total disregard to the instruction sheet. It's only when the clock strikes five in the morning and the project is, at most, half done will the man grab the instructions in a last frantic attempt to complete the job properly.
This tendency to try to work on our own spreads throughout our lives. As Moses went up the mountain to collect the tablets from God I imagine his last words to his followers were, “Don't do anything until I get back.” When Moses returned he found the people worshiping a golden calf which almost caused God to throw in the cards and wipe out the Hebrews. Only Moses abject intervention saved the Israelites and gave humanity the ultimate set of instructions for living a decent, fulfilling life.
Jesus also repeated three simple rules which should be the basis for our conduct through life: Love and honor God; Love and respect your neighbor and Treat others as you would want to be treated. These should not be difficult to follow but it sometimes seems that humanity has either lost these instructions or has determined to go counter to their teachings. Only if the sheet is found and by following these instructions can our lives can be made complete.
Bob Olson
Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5 , Hebrews 4:1-10 , John 3:16-21
Psalms: Morning 50 ; Evening 59 , 60 , 19 , 46
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3.16 KJV
I have written a number of these meditations (and other things) through the years, but this one may be the most challenging. Everyone has heard this verse. According to the Bibles placed in hotels by the Gideons, this text has been translated into more languages (over 1,000) and more often than any other text in the world. More sermons and complete books have been written on this one verse than any other verse in the Bible. This verse is part of the comfortable words in the Rite I service. The simple sign “John 3:16” was the first of the Bible verses to pop up at sporting events. Many consider it a summary of the Gospels.
About forty years ago, writing John 3.16 from memory was a test I took (I missed the first comma a minute ago). Unknowingly, I wrote it on my heart. This verse is so much a part of me that I look to Jesus when times are tough. On second thought, I look to Jesus when times are good, too. If you read the verse carefully, you see you only need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God to have eternal life. Nothing else matters. I believe. Do you?
Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb
Editor's note: This originally appeared in Looking to Jesus-Lenten Meditations written by members of the Parish Family of The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit 2003. Holy Spirit is in Houston, Texas. This meditation served as the inspiration for me to start these books at Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell.
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 , Hebrews 4:11-16 , John 3:22-36
Psalms: Morning 40 , 54 ; Evening 51
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
steadfast love;
According to your abundant mercy blot out my
transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse
me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever
before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is
evil in your sight,
So that you are justified in your sentence and
blameless
When you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the
inward being;
Therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that
you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot
out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put
a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your
presence,
And do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore
to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to
you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation,
And my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
O Lord, open
my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no
delight in sacrifice;
If I were to give a burnt offering, you
would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken
spirit;
A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
Then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and
whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.”
Psalm 51
I have chosen this Psalm because it really spoke to me.
We left Slidell the Sunday before Katrina at 11am and drove from Slidell to our first stop which was Valdosta, Georgia. Everything went well until we got outside of Gulfport, Mississippi when we hit a bunch of traffic which caused us to drive at a snail's pace.
To sum this up, it is with God's love and His forgiveness that he allows us to handle any situation that we come up against.
J. B. Tonkel
Deuteronomy 11:18-28 , Hebrews 5:1-10 , John 4:1-26
Psalms: Morning 55 ; Evening 138 , 139
“Teach them to your children,
Talking about
them when you are at home
And when you are away,
When you lie
down and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 11:19
Few things in life are as difficult as raising children to be responsible adults. Some, like Father Brian, have a knack for communicating with the youth. Unfortunately, knowing how to raise children is not a requirement for becoming a parent.
I have been blessed with three sons. As of this writing, none are on drugs or ever been arrested and for this I thank the Father. All three are Eagle Scouts. These things tell me I have been somewhat successful as a parent over the past 20+ years. Still, I know two are not following the life plan they themselves wanted in high school. These two are floundering today and I feel I did not do something I was supposed to do.
I am the youngest of three sons by roughly 7 years. My mother often said I raised myself. Of course, after the shenanigans my brothers pulled, I never had a prayer. How can I ever compete with an older brother who jumped on the back of a teaching nun and rode her around the classroom because she rapped his knuckles with a ruler. Trying to generate sympathy was impossible after my tearful middle brother said “It got away” when asked why he and my oldest brother were playing with matches that burned 600 acres of northwest Louisiana countryside. My parents could see anything I could think of coming long before I had a plan to execute.
Still, my parents were able to gain a captive audience with me at the family dinner table or sitting on the screen porch. Mother had a much easier time controlling the TV with only three open air channels. Dad would play board games and work puzzles with me. Life was simpler then.
Today, drugs are a fact of life. Bobby has told me I really do not want to know how high a percentage of his friends and co-workers are on drugs. Video games drive me nuts as all of my boys have gotten this glazed look of deep concentration on their faces, and they will not respond to questions at times.
Despite all of this, I am blessed. I feel I have done better than average—not great. Whether or not I have been successful has yet to be determined but we shall see.
Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP, page 218.
Jeremiah 1:1-10 , 1 Corinthians 3:11-23 , Mark 3:31-4:9
Psalms: Morning 24 , 29 ; Evening 8 , 84
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw--the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.”
1st Corinthians 3:11-15
We must build our life on the foundation that God has already provided for us. This foundation is Jesus Christ. Furthermore, we must be careful in the way that we build because the quality of our construction will be tested and revealed with fire. When hearing God's Word we must fully accept and allow it to be an integral part of our being/life/existence to the point where it fills and permeates through our minds and hearts. To me, this is equivalent to the structure being strongly fastened to the foundation stated in Corinthians. This is also equivalent to the roots of the plant being deeply and firmly imbedded in good and fertile soil, e.g. God's Word, as Jesus states in Mark. Just believing in and having knowledge about God and His word, where these are merely nice decorations and ornaments in our lives or where these are used only as a facade of goodness and righteousness, will not withstand the severe tests and will be exposed over time.
Larry deQuay
Jeremiah 1:11-19 , Romans 1:1-15 , John 4:27-42
Psalms: Morning 56 , 57 , 58 ; Evening 64 , 65
“I have meat to eat that ye know not of.”
John 4:32
Anyone who knows me at all learns three things about me eventually: 1) I am proud husband and father to a wonderful wife and three beautiful daughters; 2) I am a writer and musician; 3) I LOVE BARBECUE. Those items are roughly in order of importance, but on some holidays and weekends, #3 can take priority over the other two for at least a short while. So to put it mildly, I know a thing or two about meat.
In today's reading from John, Jesus has just finished an extensive discourse with the Samaritan woman at the well, while the disciples were away at the market buying (you guessed it) meat. He is no doubt hot, thirsty, and hungry. But when they offer him food, he replies with the words above. The disciples are confused and ask him if any other man has brought him food. In verse 34, Jesus clarifies his hunger: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” I have to ask, did he realize that he was probably turning down a juicy piece of roasted lamb or goat?
Matthew and Mark say that at the very end of his life, Jesus cried out these words from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” I have heard this story many times but still ponder that question. Was this the last vestige of Jesus' human side calling out against that which we all fear most, like a starving man issuing a final cry for the meat that sustains our bodies?
It is popular in some churches to think of Jesus as being all-God and only having a physical body so that we might see something of ourselves in him. But the New Testament is filled with instances of Christ eating and drinking, taking real nourishment and slaking real thirst. In the Lenten readings, I find many occasions where Christ recognized the painful death that would be his to endure, and he accepted it: “…to do the will of him that sent me…” But part of him must have dreaded the suffering to come.
Just an ordinary man? Certainly not. But all-God? That won't work either. To be the Savior – the ultimate sacrificial lamb, as it were – Jesus had to be as much physical man as he was God. The battle between the physical and the spiritual can be seen in him, just as it rages in all of us every day. Without the finality of his physical death, there is no revelation in his resurrection. When we eat the bread and drink the wine of communion, we should keep in mind that these are reminders of the physical body and blood given by Christ on the cross. And the healing powers of faith should be our own form of the meat that can sustain our spirits.
John B. Pfiefer
Jeremiah 2:1-13 , Romans 1:16-25 , John 4:43-54
Psalms: Morning 61 , 62 ; Evening 68
“The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way”
John 4:50
All three of today's lessons remind us of the importance of turning faith into action. Jeremiah speaks to a failure of faith, for the house of Israel “went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves” (2:5) and because of this, the heavens shall “be utterly desolate” (2:12). Likewise Paul speaks of those whose faith and actions are in silent conflict: “for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22-23). The counterpoint is given in the Gospel; the official who acted on Jesus' word has his immediate concerns for his son's life. We also know that the official began to spread the good word he received, for “he himself believed, along with his whole household.” (John 4:54).
Each of our examples was called by God, and each took action; but only he whose action was steered by faith in God and his power could enter into the life of promise. This principle applies to all aspects of life. The would-be entrepreneur never succeeds, the get-rich-quick guy usually doesn't; it takes a combination of vision and discipline to grow wealth. The sports team that expects to lose a game is lost already; winners expect to win. A church that turns inward or turns from the path of faith will waste away; until all that's left to do is turn out the lights. A church that reaches out to the Unchurched and the under-churched, remains true to God's word, and serves its community will grow, prosper, and bring the world ever closer to the Kingdom of God
So expect good things, but don't expect them to happen without your good works.
Gus Michel
Jeremiah 3:6-18 , Romans 1:28-2:11 , John 5:1-18
Psalms: Morning 72 ; Evening 119:73-96
Jeremiah tells the Lord that he is but a youth, his voice too weak to overcome an apparently hostile crowd. Yet the Lord reminds him that it is the Lord's words that are spoken and not Jeremiah's. By contrast, Paul, full of the Holy Spirit, is quite anxious to spread the “Good News” in Rome. Perhaps, unlike Jeremiah, Paul is aware that he speaks the Lord's words and not his own, and is emboldened by that knowledge.
It has been said that “knowledge is power” and that it can give you the confidence to take action. Jeremiah appears to have little knowledge of God's words and thus little confidence in his ability to spread the message. Whereas, Paul appears very knowledgeable about God's word, has confidence in his message, and is eager to spread it, even to hostile crowds.
As we journey through this season of reflection, let us remember that knowledge of God's word can empower us. Let us pray that our actions, regardless of the season, are guided by his message.
Jacques Walker
Jeremiah 4:9-10,19-28 , Romans 2:12-24 , John 5:19-29
Psalms: Morning 70 , 71 ; Evening 74
“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust:
let me
never be put to confusion.”
Psalm 71:1 KJV
We will not be the first people to concede that it can sometimes be difficult to read the Psalms. So many of them are calls to God that alternate between “Why won't you recognize that I am here” and “Please smite my enemies in a most horrible way.” The nakedness of the Psalmist's need, his despair, his sense that he has been abandoned, his desire to gloat at the destruction of those who despise him—surely none of us is like that!
Perhaps one of the reasons the Psalms can be tough to read is because they so accurately reflect what is going on in our inner selves during certain times in our lives. None of us likes to acknowledge that occasionally we doubt God's love for us, that we wonder why God allows our enemies (surely, his enemies too!) to flourish, that we're not sure we're on the right path. But it is important to be aware that these thoughts do occasionally arrive unbidden, and it is good to read the Psalms and know we are not the first people (nor will we be the last) to experience loneliness, sadness, unrequited needs, challenging times, fear, and loss.
We cannot ignore these feeling or pretend they do not exist. By recognizing them in us, we can put them in proper perspective. We are not the first to suffer, we are not the first to plead. All of these emotions are part of the human condition and can only be alleviated by turning our hearts and minds to God and submitting to his will, however little we may understand it. Then we can truly sing with the Psalmist:
“My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto
thee;
and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.”
Psalm 71:23 KJV
John & Deborah Pfeifer
Jeremiah 5:1-9 , Romans 2:25-3:18 , John 5:30-47
Psalms: Morning 69 ; Evening 73
As I read through the scripture for the second Friday in Lent, I realized how very hard God tried to have a relationship with his chosen people. Jeremiah points out that the people seemed to refuse to obey God either out of ignorance or rebellion, but God kept trying to find a way to forgive them.
In Romans, we find a discussion of the old Jewish law concerning circumcision. The scripture points out that true circumcision is of the heart and spiritual—not a literal matter. We need to have a relationship with God because without Him no one is righteous, just, or truthful. We receive these qualities from God.
How can we find a relationship with God? Well, first we must acknowledge that Jesus died so our sins could be forgiven. At the same time Jesus walked the earth, the Hebrew people sacrificed animals in the temple for forgiveness of their sins. Jesus became the sacrificial lamb for our sins.
Next we need a personal relationship with our heavenly Father. He will guide you in all things if you only ask. Each of us needs a life of prayer and to study the scripture.
Betty Tonkel
Jeremiah 5:20-31 , Romans 3:19-31 , John 7:1-13
Psalms: Morning 75 , 76 ; Evening 23 , 27
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the
still waters. He restoreth my soul;
he leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou
art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou
preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness
and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
And I will
dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
Psalm 23 KJV
As I sit here, I mourn the death of a dear friend named Easter. This wonderful woman was actually born on Easter Sunday. For many years, she inspired all of us with the gentle wisdom she put into her Advent and Lenten meditations. For her, kindness was simply a given. Easter was one of the first people you met and she introduced you to as many people as possible on a Sunday morning.
Recently, another dear friend of mine encountered a string of deaths in his parish over a single week. His wife observed all of the “death and destruction” around them. When asked, my friend told me all of the services used the King James Version of Psalm 23 found on page 476 of the Book of Common Prayer.
When you travel down The Road To Emmaus, you will find death along the way. Such is life. But in the end, the reward is worth the trip.
So, here's to you, Easter. May I someday live up to the standards you set and the faith you had in me and so many others. I will see you when I get there.
Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP, page 218.
Jeremiah 6:9-15 , 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 , Mark 5:1-20
Psalms: Morning 93 , 96 ; Evening 34
“Should I therefore take the members of Christ
and make them members of a prostitute? Never!”
1st Corinthians 6:12
One of the most poignant object lessons from the Journey to Adulthood materials involves placing the finest silver chalice and paten available onto the altar and asking the teenagers assembled what constitutes proper and improper use of these vessels. Is it acceptable to chug beer from the chalice and munch pretzels from the paten? No. Is it all right to serve a big ol' greasy cheeseburger from the paten and drink Coke from the chalice? Of course not. These vessels – the very finest we could find – have been set aside for something very special: to hold the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Holy Communion. To use them for anything less would be wrong. Everyone knows that.
Many years ago I attended a youth event at which some well meaning clergy used potato chips and orange soda rather than bread and wine at the closing “worship event.” Their point, they said, was to show teenagers that anything can convey the presence of Christ, even they themselves. They also pointed out that, since the words of institution in the Eucharistic prayer were not completed, it was not – technically speaking – a Eucharist. It is only the cultural expectations placed upon clergy that keeps me from writing the word that came to me then (and now as I relive this experience in my mind). You could probably hazard a guess, though. Their cheapening of the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ by use of junk food was both scandalous and stupid. It angers me to this day.
It is funny, though, that what we can so easily see in the Sacrament of Holy Communion we often fail to see in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. In baptism it is we, ourselves, who become the vessels of the presence of Christ in this world. And whereas I exercised verbal restraint in making my point above, Saint Paul does no such thing. Taking a member of Christ's body - a temple of the Holy Spirit - and joining it with a prostitute is a vulgar, coarse image, but it makes Paul's point rather sharply. It should never be done. Never. It is scandalous even to suggest it.
But even if we don't go that far, what do we allow to be joined to our bodies without thought or objection? What do we, who are more precious than fine silver, allow to fill us that is something less than God would hope or intend for us? We are vessels of the living God. Junk food, anything in any form that fills but does not nourish, should be a scandal to us.
The Rev. Brian Grantz
Jeremiah 7:1-15 , Romans 4:1-12 , John 7:14-36
Psalms: Morning 80 ; Evening 77 , 79
“…proclaim there this word, and say,
Hear the word of the Lord….”
Jeremiah 7:1
At some point in my youth, I read that the Eskimos have fifty words for snow. I later learned that this is not true; but it seemed so right that I only gave up believing it with reluctance. There is a similar linguistic myth that the words “gospel” and “gossip” share a common root. A quick glance at Webster's would have exposed this as a fabrication; but again, it seemed so right, it took me a long time to let go of it.
A few years ago, I gave up gossip for Lent. I resolved to neither listen to it nor repeat it. As a person with a healthy and (I like to think) kind-hearted interest in the lives of others, giving up gossip was one the hardest Lenten disciplines I'd ever imposed on myself. Certainly harder than giving up chocolate (although that was no walk in the park either). I discovered that it's amazing how little you have to say when you can't repeat what you've heard about someone else!
I know that from the language-development point of view, gossip may have nothing to do with the Gospel. However, I do still think about the role that gossip—that is, people exchanging information about incidents and events in the lives of others—must have played in the dissemination of Christ's message in the early days of the Church. In a time and place where illiteracy was the rule rather than the exception, surely the joyous message of God's love would never have been spread far and wide without the verbal swapping of information that some might term “gossip.” In those early days, people would meet other people and one would begin the conversation with, “Have you heard about the man from Nazareth? About what he has done? About what he has said? Let me tell you….” And so one more person would hear the “good news,” one more person would believe, one more person would spread the word.
There is never a place for malicious and cruel rumor-mongering in our lives, but I do think that there is a connection between the Gospel of Christ's life and the gossip that sometimes makes up part of our daily round. When we open our mouths to speak, does the spirit of the Lord emerge? , Do our words reflect our beliefs and our actions? Do people hear what we say and want to know more of Christ's message? Do we “proclaim” the word of the Lord? If we can honestly answer these questions with “Yes,” then surely we are “gossiping” in the best sense of the word.
Deborah Pfiefer
Jeremiah 7:21-34 , Romans 4:13-25 , John 7:37-52
Psalms: Morning 78:1-39 ; Evening 78:40-72
There is a song we used to sing in children's church that goes:
Father Abraham had many sons;
Many sons had Father Abraham.
I am one of them and so are you
So let's all praise the Lord…right arm!
Then the song is repeated while waving the right arm in praise. At the end of each refrain, another ‘praise-er’ is added: Right arm! Left arm! Right leg! Left leg! Nod your head! Turn around! Sit down! After spinning, nodding, waving arms and legs at the ‘sit down’ everyone tumbles down in an exhausted laughing heap.
In Romans 4:17 God told Abraham, “…I have made you a father of many nations.” There was a time in Abraham's life when he had no descendants and he laughed when God made him that promise.
I believe that when we get to Heaven one of the first persons we will meet will be Father Abraham. Each one of us is a part of the promise God made to Abraham that he would have so many descendants the number of them would be like the stars of heaven.
Romans 4:20 says, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God”
I can just picture Father Abraham sitting in Heaven greeting each son presented to him laughing, giving glory to God! Let us, also, stagger not at the promises of God through unbelief but be strong in faith, giving glory to God.
Linda Mejias
Jeremiah 8:18-9:6 , Romans 5:1-11 , John 8:12-20
Psalms: Morning 119:97-120 ; Evening 81 , 82
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our
sufferings,
Because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not
disappoint us, because
God has poured out his love into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us…Christ died for the
ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man,
Though for a good man someone might dare to die...
While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us”.
Romans 5:3-5, 6b-7, 8b
The above portions of Romans kept grabbing/seizing my attention as I read, reread, and meditated on these multiple times.
I often fall into the trap of not believing that I am worthy of God's love, care, and protection because of the sins that I commit, most of which are the same one or two I can't or choose not to shake loose. To me, the above passages reveal God's love for each of us, beyond what I can even imagine. God comes down to our state of being and reconciles us to Himself, not because we are worthy, but because of the immense love He has for us.
Also, the statement about suffering producing perseverance goes against my logic and reasoning, but it has proven to be true many times over in my life. One would think that suffering immediately or eventually causes us to use any and all means to eliminate or at least deaden the pain within us. I know that's what I want to do whenever suffering enters my life. Pain medication, alcohol, lusts of the flesh, excessive working, and food are my ways of distracting my mind and deadening or eliminating the pain. However, I sooner or later, usually later, decide to be honest with myself and realize that my methods provide only temporary relief and often more hurt than I had before. At this point, the remaining option is to persevere, since ending my life is not an option; e.g. keep getting up after each fall and then following and doing God's will (or the right things to keep my conscience clear) as much as possible. From this point, the continued perseverance does build a greater level of character within me; purposely choosing and following the more difficult path because it is the right thing to do.
How the greater level of character yields hope, I don't know, but it does. [A subject for further meditation]
Larry deQuay
Jeremiah 10:11-24 , Romans 5:12-21 , John 8:21-32
Psalms: Morning 83 , 42 , 43 ; Evening 85 , 86
“They said to him, ‘Who are you?’
Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at
all?’”
John 8:25
The most notable feature of today's selections from Jeremiah and Paul's letter to the Romans is the repetition. Reading them silently, they're frankly annoying. It was only when I hit the verse above that I realized what was going on -- the power of repetition to open a mind stuck in the closed position. In the last centuries before Christ, the people of Israel had learned that their Messiah would lead a military overthrow of their oppressors (the Romans) and reclaim the throne of his ancestor David. Since Jesus' only qualification was that of ancestry (and how many thousands of descendants did David have by the first century?), few could even consider him to be a candidate for the position. And, as my favorite movie mentor, Yoda, told Luke, “First you must unlearn that which you have learned”. Most of this vision of the Messiah was extrapolated from the actual prophesies from a political standpoint; the truth deviated from the interpretation so far as to be unrecognizable. Yet, by the thirtieth verse, “many believed in him”.
Recently, Wes McComb gave me a copy of his book, When All Heaven Breaks Loose. In chapter one (indeed on the back cover, had I bothered to read it first), I found out something that stopped me cold: his book is an interpretation of Revelation. Long ago, I had closed my mind to Revelation, accepting an argument that it was a false prophesy, that the time for the events it foretold were past, and that they simply hadn't happened. If you want to ignore something, it's a perfect argument. The thing was, I had believed this argument for so long that I couldn't just put it down, so I put the book down, and meditated on my self-imposed ignorance. Two months later, I am now able to read on -- at about a chapter a week.
Two years ago, two different consultants diagnosed that Christ Church Slidell was dying, despite a dedicated core group and favorable demographics. The disease was a deficiency in vitamins V (vision) and M (mission). Worse yet, many of us, myself included, had come to believe that we could not or should not have them. So first, let go of this pernicious idea if you still have it. Let it go. Put it behind you. Again, I say, let it go. Discard the conclusions and question the derivative beliefs. Only then will you be ready to see the vision that is even now forming, and to work toward that vision, for “you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”. (John 8:32)
Gus Michel
Jeremiah 11:1-8,14-20 , Romans 6:1-11 , John 8:33-47
Psalms: Morning 88 ; Evening 91 , 92
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead
indeed unto sin,
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our
Lord.”
Romans 6:11
Corey was living in the now. He always toted a backpack, and that backpack always housed a can of spray paint. Life was lived on the edge, adrenaline rushes by the clock, and laughter from a distance at reactions. Goals? You mean I can't have fun forever? That was the thought process. Live in the now, and look out for “number one”.
A good day consisted of skipping class and finding a fresh new canvas. Today was the day that Corey found gold. There was a tiny little building erected behind a house a couple of blocks from school. As the coast was clear, Corey coated the little white building with the latest teenage slang and symbols. Glancing over his finest work to date with pride, he took a quick nod and ran for cover.
Thirty minutes later out walked the residents, a blind-folded little girl in tow. As the father walked backwards he said, “I took the whole day off from work to build this, and you were worth every hour of pay lost.”
In that moment the girl ripped the cloth from her eyes, just in time for tears to fill them.
Corey's heart sank. From this moment forward, the smell of paint will not mean joy. Corey didn't even hear the words he spoke to them as he came out from the ‘cover’. All he knew is that he was pouring out with apologies. The little girl wiped her cheeks and held out her hand in forgiveness. His heart was no longer heavy, and paint will fill his senses one more time. Once more to repaint the clubhouse.
Heidi Dulom
Jeremiah 13:1-11 , Romans 6:12-23 , John 8:47-59
Psalms: Morning 87 , 90 ; Evening 136
You would think that after all the meditations I have written these things come easy to me, but the lessons today have stopped me cold. Although today is St. Patrick's Day, the lessons have nothing to do with him or his fantastic ministry. Even someone with the Scot (scotch is a drink) Irish heritage I have cannot stretch these lessons that far.
Psalm 87 talks about how the Father loves Jerusalem and how He has a list of everyone who has ever been born. With 6 billion people alive today, this must be an incredible data base. The musical term “Selah” is usually good for a meditation but I would need more time than I have at the moment to obtain the information.
Psalm 90 teaches about the mortality of humanity. 1,000 years from now I question if anyone will know my name, and yet the psalmist refers to this time span as merely a day to the Father. I am intrigued by the idea of the life expectancy in the psalmist's day as being 70-80 years. Still, we need to make every day count.
Psalm 136 caught my eye because the psalmist was grateful for all the things the Father had done for Israel. I considered adding the World War II Battle of Midway and maybe several other improbable victories to the list. Then I remembered our Messiah is one of grace and peace—not war.
Jeremiah offers an interesting approach of illustrating how sinful I can be. Living in the “good old days” without bleach does have its drawbacks. Fortunately, I truly believe that Jesus will provide all the bleach I need to wash away my sins.
Paul discusses how to fight addictions in the lesson from Romans. As the son of an alcoholic, I have been blessed by being able to steer clear of alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Still, all you have to do is look at my waist and know I like good food.
This leaves the Gospel of John. Jesus is trying to tell the Jews who he is and how everything he does is for the glory of the Father. I understand his predicament as I often try to tell people I am just a Christian when I tell them what it takes to get to heaven. Not all “sticks and stones” are made out of wood and rock.
When all else fails, write a line that ties to the title of the book. As
you can see, The Road To Emmaus has a few potholes in it. If you step
in one, you will get your feet muddy or you might trip and fall. I just
lost a Jeep in one of my potholes![[smile]](smile.gif)
Such is life. As a good friend once said, “This,
too, shall pass.”
Rats. I have looked at all of the lessons several times and still come up empty. Perhaps you can come up with one of your own. Then I will not have to write this one.
Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.BCP, page 219.
Jeremiah 14:1-9,17-22 , Galatians 4:21-5:1 , Mark 8:11-21
Psalms: Morning 66 , 67 ; Evening 19 , 46
“How is it that ye do not understand?”
Mark 8:21b KJV
In the movie “City Slickers,” there is a scene where one character tries to explain to another character that it is possible to record a TV show on a VCR without having the VCR connected to the television. (I know that in these days of TiVo, the whole notion of VCRs seems somewhat antiquated, but please stay with me.) Eventually, the man who is trying to explain the concept gives up in frustration. “Just drop it,” counsels Billy Crystal's character. “You'll never make him understand.”
I'm sure there were times, as in today's Gospel reading, that Jesus despaired of explaining the “meaning” of his words to his disciples. To us, who have the benefit of two thousand years of Biblical scholarship and the knowledge of Christ's death and resurrection, the symbolic value of what Jesus says seems so obvious. “How could the disciples be so dense?” we might ask. “It's perfectly clear what Jesus was saying.”
But what is clear to us in hindsight was not particularly clear to those who had yet to live through the events of crucifixion and rebirth. How blessed we are that Jesus did not give up in frustration but continued again and again to explain his message to his followers. And we are also blessed by the determination of the apostles to understand that message, even when they didn't “get it” at first. They knew Jesus had something important to say and they kept asking and listening until they perceived it.
Let us pledge to be as determined as those apostles to truly hear and understand the messages that Jesus is sending us, today and every day.
Deborah Pfeifer
Jeremiah 16:10-21 , Romans 7:1-12 , John 6:1-15
Psalms: Morning 89:1-18 ; Evening 89:19-52
“There is a lad here who has 5 barley loaves and 2
small fish,
but what are they among so many?”
John 6:9 NKJV
This chapter in John's gospel is familiar to many. It has always provoked questions for me. Who was this child who gave up what was probably his dinner? Did this child do it willingly? What did he think of the miracle that Jesus performed?
Five thousand people saw this miracle and they wanted to make Jesus their king but they missed the point. Are we missing the point?
How privileged these people were to have actually known and walked with Jesus. What would happen if it happened to us? Would we know or be prepared? I don't think we are much different from those multitudes. We praise Jesus as our newborn “king” at Christmas but what do we do the rest of the year? How do we know and prepare for Him?
Each week I try to start again to follow what God wants me to do, to prepare myself for Him. Sometimes I walk out of church full of resolve only to find that I sometimes have to make a conscious effort to love my neighbor or to even know what God expects of me, personally. Sometimes in reflecting over a week I am not sure what I did that would have pleased God. Maybe if I had the faith of that child who helped feed the 5,000 I might know what it is that is required of me. I think probably this has always been my quest: To know what God expects of me as an individual. I know only this: He expects more, yet He loves me in spite of my failings. Possibly it is in the trying that I will come to hear Him.
Aldie Jacobs
Jeremiah 17:19-27 , Romans 7:13-25 , John 6:16-27
Psalms: Morning 97 , 99 , 100 ; Evening 94 , 95
“It is I, be not afraid”
John 6:20b KJV
I've always loved my childhood copy of the King James Bible because it identifies the words of Jesus in red type, making them stand out more significantly against the words of others. Today's reading from the Gospel of John tells the story of Jesus walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee in a storm. The above six words he spoke to the disciples are the only thing in red for 12 of the 13 verses of that passage, yet they are so applicable to every part of our lives. I often hear people respond, somewhat irreverently, “Do you think I walk on water?” referring to their lack of perfection when asked to achieve a goal or complete a project. Jesus certainly set the bar high for us with his expectation that we live our lives according to his teachings, yet we must always realize that the journey to those expectations is as much a part of his challenge as the end result, which is always just out of our reach.
I've often been taught that Lent is about fasting, reflection, repentance and forgiveness. Fasting is not just about food, but also sacrificing, for a time, something very important to us. Reflecting on our lives, past and present, will help us to determine what we must do to live closer to God in the future. As a result of our reflections, we repent of our sins, ask for His forgiveness and pray for guidance to do a better job in the future. Finally, we too must forgive. One of the most difficult things for us to do is to accept that God has forgiven us, and then to forgive ourselves. Somehow we just can't let go of things that are no longer relevant to God. We must also forgive others for things they have done to us, real or perceived; for until we do, they will always be a thorn in our side…. even if they don't even know how we feel.
“It is I, be not afraid”. More than 2,000 years later those words still remind us that Jesus loves us unconditionally and wants us to turn our problems over to him. WE don't have to walk on water…but simply take journey with Him as best we can.
Jim Epperson
Jeremiah 18:1-11 , Romans 8:1-11 , John 6:27-40
Psalms: Morning 101 , 109 ; Evening 119:121-144
“What must we do To perform the works of God?”
John 6:28b
Jesus is asked, “'What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus' answer was, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29b.
They asked the question, Jesus answered, yet they apparently were not satisfied because they asked Jesus what sign was he going to give them so that they might see it and believe him.
How many times do we ask questions, receive answers and still require more answers/signs? Where do we look for signs? Where do we look for ways to perform the works of God?
May we continue to see the obvious signs and look for the signs that aren't as obvious, as we work to do the will of our Father.
Terry Brown
Jeremiah 22:13-23 , Romans 8:12-27 , John 6:41-51
Psalms: Morning 69 ; Evening 73
In my view, the general or overarching theme of John, Jeremiah, and the first part of Romans is to “clean house” or “basic Christian housekeeping.”
In John, Jesus tells or advises us to examine and remove the sinful nature and acts within ourselves before judging others. He also tells us that we can easily determine who is or is not righteous in God's eyes by the fruits that one bears. Jesus then goes on to say that we must put his, God's, words and teachings into action for our righteousness to endure and withstand the inevitable hardships and trials that life brings.
In the same vein, Jeremiah tells us that being wealthy and having many possessions does not make a man “great” (or a king); being righteous, fair, and honorable in our dealings with others (our countrymen) is what makes a man “great.” He warns of God's punishment for those who to try to build or acquire greatness through unrighteousness, injustice, and disobedience to God's ways.
In Romans, Paul tells us that we must put to death the misdeeds of the body and our sinful nature. He further tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, which enables each of us to do these and other things.
For those of us who claim to be Christians today, we have an obligation to always examine ourselves first and to continuously remove, root out, any and all evil that dwells or tries to take root within us. If we do not do these things, we are hypocrites and we do not have the right to judge or correct others and we are also not an effective witness of our faith.
Larry deQuay
Jeremiah 23:1-8 , Romans 8:28-39 , John 6:52-59
Psalms: Morning 102 ; Evening 107:1-32
“‘Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!’ saith the LORD.”
Jeremiah 23:1 KJV
ZOWIE! Those are scary words. God has some pretty harsh words for those who tend His flocks and do not care properly for the sheep as HE intended. We all know someone who has been hurt in a church and has left the fold. Some have found a new church, a new pasture with good shepherds where they are being properly cared for and are growing in the Faith. Sadly, some have not, and are wandering around wounded and lost without the benefit of a good shepherd. But God is faithful…
“‘And I will gather the remnant of my flock
out of all counties whither I have driven them, and will bring them
again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them:
and they
shall fear no more, nor be dismayed,
neither shall they be
lacking’ saith the LORD.”
Jeremiah 23:3-4
We are blessed to have a shepherd who cares for and tends to the flock entrusted to him. How do I know this, being so new to this congregation? I know this by the caring, giving members of this flock who have been so very kind to me. You are a reflection of the pastoral care you receive and you are kind, generous and giving. I pray to be like you.
Linda Mejias
Jeremiah 23:9-15 , Romans 9:1-18 , John 6:60-71
Psalms: Morning 107:33-43 , 108 ; Evening 33
“…Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.”
Psalm 108:1-2
I have a set of twin boys and today is their 21st birthday. I only have Bobby with me here in Slidell, but I can still see a celebration coming. Today, the government recognizes him as an adult with all the rights and privileges that go with it. Yes, I know they get a number of those rights and privileges at 18, but some restrictions remain. The next age of consequence is 25 when his car insurance drops, but 21 is the one to celebrate.
Both Psalms for today have a lighter side. They talk about singing, dancing, and playing joyful music. A number of years ago, I discovered several things that will counter even the worst depression. Interestingly, the first is reading all 150 Psalms. They are joyful, healing, and supportive. The second is reading the New Testament in its entirety including Revelation. As much as anything else, the New Testament is forgiving and shows Jesus can defeat anything. The final measure is listening to Christian children's music. Like the Psalms, this light music is full of joy and happiness. The message in these wonderful songs is incredibly uplifting.
The Father wants us to be happy. When I was a manager, I used to tell my employees “Happy people do more and better work.” They knew I put their overall happiness first and the results were incredible.
Lent is a time of evaluation. One year, I decided to turn off my radio when I spent an hour commuting each way. I stopped watching the news. While I started with the sports section, I made sure I read the comics. I always read the comics for each day when I came back from vacation. Some say “We are what we eat” but I think the same is true for what we routinely do each day. One of the things I cherish about Father Brian is his sense of humor. He sets a good example for all of us.
You simply have to work hard at being happyIt starts with a smileIf you see someone
without one, give them one of yoursYou can make yourself happy by simply
making others happyMost importantly of all, smile when you receive the bread and wine
These are the gifts of
eternal lifeAct
like you are happy to receive themThe Road To Emmaus is, in many ways, a rite of passage
like reaching the age of 21. Sometimes, we have to stop and celebrate.
Today, I will celebrate with my sons. Tomorrow, I will resume the
celebration of Lent.
Gapitpoths,
Wes McComb
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.BCP, page 219.
Jeremiah 23:16-32 , 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 , Mark 8:31-9:1
Psalms: Morning 118 ; Evening 145
“Do you not know that in a race the runners all
compete,
But only one receives the prize?
Run in such a way
that you may win it.”
1st Corinthians 9:24
Play to win. I imagine Paul spent some time with a bunch of his Church friends going to athletic events in Corinth on Saturday afternoons. Sitting at trackside and watching the games was a good way to get to know people and share a common experience. While the circumstances and events have changed over the last two-thousand years, the basic ritual of getting together to watch “the big game” has not. So there was Paul with his Corinthian friends, drinking the first century equivalent of a $5 beer and rising to his feet with the crowd every now and then in awe at some feat of athleticism they had just witnessed. They would then say things like, “Did you see that?” and “What an amazing athlete!” Then they would talk about all of the training it took to become a serious competitor at the very highest level of the game. And there the metaphor was born.
Play to win. There are plenty of things we are asked to support casually, giving a little time and money here and there to an organization or a worthy cause. There are also those much rarer things we are asked to dedicate ourselves to completely; principles and causes that are worth living for and, in some cases, dying for. Christianity is of the latter type. Like weekend athletes trying to pass themselves off as pros, to be a community of casual Christians, Paul says to the Corinthians, is to be a lousy Church. Strive for something better. See the athlete who trains and eats well and studies his game and practices over and over in hopes of being the one who wins? That is the way to be a Christian. See the example of Jesus' love and sacrifice and patience and giving and prayer? That is our model. Not that we will attain to his perfection, Paul says, but that is no reason not to try.
Play to win. Due to the nature of Paul's metaphor and my removal of it from its context, I cannot end this meditation without stressing the fundamental understanding that Christianity is a team “sport” whose opponent is not other people or religions, but death and dying in its many forms: spiritual, moral, social, cultural and last and perhaps least, physical. Paul implores the Corinthian church to play to win in the context of becoming all things to all people in order that, by all means, he might save some. His anger with them is fueled by their lack of concern for the faith of others. The excellence Paul argues for is that every individual member might fully and humbly exercise his or her gifts for the benefit of the entire body of Christ.
The Rev. Brian Grantz
Jeremiah 24:1-10 , Romans 9:19-33 , John 9:1-17
Psalms: Morning 31 ; Evening 35
“…they will be called sons of the living God.”
Romans 9:26b RSV
To be a son (or daughter) is to be part of the family. In many parts of the world to be called son conveys more than just sharing a name. When we were in the beginning stages of our adoption process for Rose, we had to demonstrate that we could provide for her as well as the three boys we already had. We also had to state that Rose would have a full share of whatever inheritance our other children would have. If any of our children had been 10 or older (and Nathan was very relieved he was only 8!), they too would have had to indicate a willingness to share their inheritance. If we are sons and daughters of the living God, we not only share in God's image, but receive a full portion of whatever inheritance God has to offer – life, lived abundantly in and through God.
Tamisyn Grantz
Jeremiah 25:8-17 , Romans 10:1-13 , John 9:18-41
Psalms: Morning 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 ; Evening 124 , 125 , 126 , 127
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;”
Matthew 9:37b, Luke 10:2b
Editor's note: No author stepped forward to write this meditation
Jeremiah 25:30-38 , Romans 10:14-21 , John 10:1-18
Psalms: Morning 119:145-176 ; Evening 128 , 129 , 130
The above scripture passages share a common set of themes, which are: God's fervent desire to be reconciled and in close relationship with each person, our reconciliation with God can only come through obedience to Him so that we follow His prescribed way, and God's great patience and forbearance with us with regard to our disobedient and stubborn nature which often causes us to resist and stray away from following His ways.
Psalm 130 tells us to put our hope in the Lord because He forgives and because unfailing love and full redemption are with Him. Psalm 129 states that God can free us from the cords of the wicked, past oppressors, which to me means that His power, when used and applied, can enable each of us to overcome and put behind past hurts and evils that would otherwise remain with us for the rest of our lives. Psalm 128 states that those who fear the Lord and follow His ways are blessed.
In John, Jesus tells us that he is the only true good shepherd as well as the gate where his sheep must pass through to receive salvation and reconciliation with God. He states that anyone who tries to enter the “sheep pen” by a way other than the gate is a thief and a robber. The sheep know who their shepherd is and they will follow him because they recognize the shepherd's voice. They will run away from the stranger because they do not recognize his voice. In the same way, each of us should be able to recognize and follow Jesus, often as reflected through other people, to attain reconciliation with God, our salvation.
In Romans, Paul tells us that Israel heard the good news through the word of Christ, but not all Israelites accepted this news. He states or implies that this was not caused by a lack of understanding; it was caused by disobedience and obstinacy on the part of these people. Paul further states that God has continuously and patiently held out His hands for these people.
Regarding my life, I see the words from the above scripture passages as both a warning and encouragement. I am encouraged because God states that He strongly desires to be reconciled with each of us. He has also given me a prescribed path to attain this reconciliation, which I believe is a process that occurs repeatedly through life. This prescribed path is well within my means and ability to follow if and when I choose to follow this path. I am also warned (and sobered) because I am occasionally one of those stiff-necked and disobedient people that Paul describes.
Larry deQuay
Jeremiah 26:1-16 , Romans 11:1-12 , John 10:19-42
Psalms: Morning 131 , 132 , 133 ; Evening 140 , 142
“And if by grace, then it is no more of works:
otherwise grace is no more grace.
But if it be of works, then it
is no more grace:
otherwise work is no more work.”
Romans 11:6
Are we saved by grace alone, or can we be saved by our good deeds? It's a thorny issue, one that has occupied the minds of the great theologians for millennia, and we are unlikely to resolve it today in 500 words or less. But here goes.
If we are overly confident in the power of grace alone, and have no thought of how God's grace should guide our deeds, then we are still lost. Headlines in the news tell us of the downfall of men of God who strayed from the path they preached. “Do as I say, not as I do” seems to be their motto. Yet they believed themselves to be saved just because they said so.
On the other hand, good deeds that come merely from good intentions but do not reflect the serenity of inner grace are likely to result in behaviors that are compulsive or even self-destructive. We are all familiar with stories of people who have taken in many abandoned horses, dogs, cats, and other stray animals to a level where they could not hope to care for them properly. Often, these people act individually and do not become part of a network that finds homes for s