Lent
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Thursday, March 24th, 2011Thursday–March 24,2011
Readings : Jeremiah 17:5-10 Psalm 1 Luke 16:19-31
Scripture Verse: The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham Luke 16:22
Reflection : Jesus’ parable is addressed to the Pharisees “who were lovers of money” Luke (16:14.) It paints a scene of contrasts – riches and poverty, heaven and hell, compassion and indifference, inclusion and exclusion. We see a dramatic reversal of fortune. Lazarus was poor and sick. Being tormented by dogs at the gates of the rich man’s house added to his misery.
The rich man treated the beggar with contempt and indifference, until he found his fortunes reversed at the end of his life. The rich man could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had every thing he needed, he selfishly spent all he had on himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He served wealth rather than God. In the end the rich man became a beggar!
To suggest that this parable would have upset the Pharisees is an understatement. This parable still upsets the “lovers of money”. The Pharisees ridiculed Jesus’ teaching and their desire to get rid of him intensified.
There is joy and freedom with God as our true and lasting treasure. If we put our hope and security in heaven, we will not be disappointed (see Hebrews 6:19)
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, you are my joy and my treasure. Make me rich in the things of heaven and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others the spiritual and material treasures you have given to me.”
Second Week of Lent- 2011
Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011Wednesday-March 23, 2011
Readings :Jeremiah 18:18-20 Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16 Matthew 20:17-28
Scripture Verse: Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? Matthew 20:22
Reflection : When two of Jesus’ disciples tried some self-promotion, Jesus told them that the path to glory would be through suffering and the cross. He linked “authority” in God’s Kingdom with service and sacrifice and explained what kind of sacrifice he had in mind. His disciples must drink his cup if they expect to reign with him in his kingdom. The cup he had in mind involved his crucifixion and, for many of his first followers, martyrdom.
What kind of cup does the Lord have in mind for us? In some places in the world, such a cup might in fact involve martyrdom. But for most of us, it entails the day-to-day routine of the Christian life, with its struggles, and temptations. Drinking “the cup of Jesus” means we are to try to make Jesus’ agenda, our agenda each and every day. An early church father summed up Jesus’ teaching with the expression: “to serve is to reign with Christ.” We share in God’s reign by laying down our lives in humble service of God and of one another as Jesus did for our sake.
On three different occasions, Jesus predicted he would endure great suffering through betrayal, rejection and death. The apostles were distressed at his prediction! If Jesus, their leader, was put to death, then they would likely suffer the same fate. The apostles had difficulty with the Messiah being rejected and killed? After all, did not God promise his people that the Messiah would deliver them from their oppression and establish a kingdom of peace and justice?
The prophet Isaiah had foretold that it was God’s will that the “Suffering Servant” make atonement for sins through his suffering and death (Isaiah 53:5-12). The death and resurrection of Jesus reveals that God’s love is the strongest force in the universe. The death and resurrection of Jesus sets us free from the power of sin to draw us from the love of God (BAS page 154). Jesus defeated the powers of death through his resurrection and frees us from the fear of death. In allowing Jesus to touch our hearts and affect our lives…in making his agenda our agenda and drinking of his cup, we are given the greatest freedom possible, the freedom to live as God truly wants us to live.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, make me a servant of love for your kingdom, that I may seek to serve rather than be served. Inflame my heart with love that I may give generously and serve others joyfully for your sake.”
Second Week of Lent- 2011
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011Tuesday - March 22, 2010
Readings : Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23 Matthew 23:1-12
Scripture Verse: All who exalt themselves will be exalted, and all who humble themselves will be humbled” Matthew 23:12
Reflection : Jesus reproached the scribes and Pharisees for seeking the praise of others. He warns both his disciples and the religious leaders about the temptation to seek titles to increase one’s reputation and admiration by others. The Good News of the Gospels is that God reaches out to us in Jesus as we really are—“created-in-God’s-image”—“sinners in need of his forgiving love.”
Appropriate respect for God leads to authentic humility. Authentic humility is not about having a low opinion of yourself as inferior to others. Authentic humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves..
A humble person can make a realistic self-assessment without pretending to be something one is not. True humility frees us from despair and pride. A humble person does not need to put on a facade and is not consumed by the pursuit of things like fame or reputation.
Authentic humility leads us to give ourselves to something greater than ourselves. Humility frees us to love and serve God and others– for their sake, rather than our own.
Paul the Apostle gives us the greatest example and model of humility in the person of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and …who humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). As followers of Jesus’ we are called to serve and love others as Jesus served and loved others.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the tyranny of selfish pride and self-concern. Teach me to be humble as you are humble and to love others generously with selfless service and kindness.”
Second Week of Lent- 2011
Monday, March 21st, 2011Monday - March 21, 2011
Readings : Daniel 9:4-10, Psalm 79:8-13, Luke 6:36-38
Scripture Verse: “Do not judge…do not condemn” Luke 6:37
Reflection : Foundational to Christianity is the reality that we are called, by Jesus, to treat other people, not as they deserve, but as God wishes us to treat them – with loving-kindness and mercy. In Jesus, God is revealed to be good to the unjust as well as the just. God’s love embraces the “righteous” and sinners. Jesus teaches his followers to seek “the good” for others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love of neighbour, (including those who are ungrateful and selfish towards us) is to be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God shows us.
Our baptismal promise is to “seek and serve the Christ in all persons, loving our neighbour”. (BAS page 159). St. Paul reminds us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us” (Romans 5:5) in our baptism. Yet we know that it is easier to show kindness and forgiveness when we can expect to benefit from doing so. It is much harder when we can expect nothing in return.
Jesus trusts that we will try to show unconditional kindness and forgiveness. When we pray for those who do us ill we, in a small but important way, continue Jesus’ mission of breaking the power of revenge that scars God’s creation and draws people from the love of God. As followers of Jesus we are to “do good in the face of evil” knowing that God’s love conquers all… even our hurts, anger and resentments.
The cross of Jesus Christ and his victory over sin frees us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment. God’s Holy Spirit will give us the courage to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart free that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter towards anyone.”
Lent Take-Homes Week One 2011
Friday, March 18th, 2011Friday - March 18, 2011 - Do not be angry, be reconciled
Readings: Ezekiel 18:21-28 Psalm 130:1-8 Matthew 5:20-26
Scripture Verse:…first be reconciled to your brother or sister…Matthew 5:24(a)
Reflection : In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples. The scribes and Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the demands of the law. Jesus showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to the heart as the seat of desire, choice, and intention. Jesus illustrates his point with the example of the commandment to not kill. He says that murder first starts in the heart as an anger that grows within until it springs into words and actions against one’s kin or neighbour. This anger is a selfish anger that broods, that nurses a grudge, keeps wrath warm, and refuses to die. Jesus says to his followers, if people don’t allow this type of anger to make their heart bitter, there will be no murder.
What is the remedy that overcomes that sort of anger? Mercy, forbearance, and kindness spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us grief or harm.
In the cross of Jesus we see the supreme example of love overcoming evil. God’s love can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge. God wants to set us free and to fill our heart and mind with his love and truth.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to forgive, even those who do me harm.”
Lenten Daily Reflections: The Resources used for these reflections include:
Daily Reflections for Lent by Valerie Schultz
Way the of Cross Meditations by Henri Nouwen
Sacred Journey—Daily Reflections for Lent edited by Suzanne Nussy
Introduction to the New Testament by The Rev Raymond Brown
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Book of Alternative Services