Friday, March 21
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Luke 22:47-52
“Those who have true devotion to the passion of the Lord must so contemplate Jesus on the cross with the eyes of their heart that they identify themselves with his flesh… Let the earth tremble when its Redeemer is put to death; let the rocks of faithless hearts be split open; and let those who are imprisoned in the sepulchers of their mortality push off the tombstones that imprison them and leap forth. May signs of our future resurrection appear today in the holy city, that is, the Church of God, and hearts experience that which our bodies will one day undergo.” [A Reading from a sermon of Leo the Great] What prayer might you form today?
March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20
Read Luke 22:47-52
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Traditionally both foot washing and communion are celebrated today. This night we will receive Communion in worship. Aelred of Rievaulx [A Rule of Life for a Recluse ] describes Jesus’ washing of the disciple’s feet. “But when he rises from the table, girds himself with the towel and pours water into a basin, consider what majesty it is that is washing and drying the feet of mere mortals, what graciousness it is that touches with his scared hands the feet of the traitor. Look and wait and, last of all, give him your own feet to wash, because those whom he does not wash will have no part of him.” Are you able to receive the foot-washing of Christ?
March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19
Luke 22:47-52
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Read Luke 22:47-48. Jesus is betrayed with a common form of greeting, a kiss. The gesture is hollow. How does Jesus handle His betrayal? Where have you felt betrayed? How do we handle our own betrayals from others?
March 20, 2008
Tuesday, March 18
Luke 22:47-52
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How might you have betrayed Christ? In Search of the Beyond Carlo Carretto writes: “….when, through my tears, I began to tell him [Christ] something of the years during which I betrayed him, he lovingly placed his hand over my mouth in order to silence me. His one concern was that I should muster courage enough to pick myself up again, to try and carry on walking in spite of my weakness, and to believe in his love in spite of my fears.” Where has Christ offered forgiveness and love?
March 20, 2008
Monday, March 17
Luke 22:47-52
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Imagine the thoughts and feelings of Judas during Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem. What made him betray his Lord? Is there something of Judas in all of us? Where might you have pushed your ideas and desires ahead of God’s plan?
March 20, 2008
Friday, March 14
Read Luke 22:39-46
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Pray Hymn: 368
My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within in the veil.
His oath, his covenant, his blood
support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.
March 14, 2008
Wednesday, March 12
We may experience mystery as random or contingent, implacable, as silent as stone in the face of human sorrow. We may question our way into a whirlwind of no answers, like Job or feel forsaken, like Jesus, but there may also come moments when the veil is thin and we know we are known. [A Time to Live: Robert Raines] When during a time of questioning have you known God’s presence and comfort?
March 10, 2008
Tuesday, March 11
Read Luke 22:39-46
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‘Taking on the mystery’ captures the essence of what it means to be human, to embrace beyond all that we can comprehend the abiding mystery at the heart of the universe. To take on the mystery of things is to wear it like a shawl or cloak, to put on a cloud of unknowing, to live into luminous darkness. [A Time to Live: Robert Raines] If you were to wrap yourself in a shawl or cloak, what color and fabric might you use? What might luminous darkness be?
March 10, 2008
Monday, March 10
Read Luke 22:39-46
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Living life’s questions means a willingness to live with mystery and ambiguity. “Taking on the mystery is yielding to grace, letting go of all explanations, analyses, ideologies, self-images, images of God, agendas, expectations. [A Time to Live: Robert Raines]. Where do you need to ‘let go and let God’?
March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9
Read Luke 22:39-46
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What if we are not called to find the answers but to live the questions? Of course, answers do give us a sense of control. But life is often ‘out of our control’. In fact, life is ‘beyond’ us. The only real decision we can make is to choose life in Christ. When has this choice been difficult? How have you been strengthened through prayer? Where have you been courageous?
Maybe our faith does not give us answers, but empowers us to live the questions of why, why me, how come, when, and so on. If we don’t know all the answers or can’t know them, on what do we base hope, confidence and the desire to go on? Hebrews 11:1 begins a series of ‘by faith’ examples of people following the will of God beyond the questions they may have had. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. For this the ancients were commended.” Read Hebrews 1. Find one character with which to spend some time. What was this character asked to do by faith? What ‘answers’ are you being asked to take on faith today?
March 10, 2008
Friday, March 7
Read Luke 4:14-30
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Traditionally, a ‘vigil’ [watchful waiting] was held during the cycle of Passion remembrance. The world was in darkness, awaiting for the return of the Light of Christ. As evening comes, light a candle. What light does Christ restore in your life?
March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6
Read Luke 4:14-30
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Fasting is intended to focus our attention on God through sacrifice or ‘giving-up’. Consider fasting from solid food for one meal. For this meal God is the food of life. Following Wesley’s practice, remember Holy Friday. Meditate on the Crucifixion, Jesus’ sacrifice for our redemption.
March 6, 2008
Wednesday, March 5
Read Luke 4:14-30
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Alignment with God’s plans can be refreshed in our experience of Communion. For John Wesley ‘proper preparation’ for Holy Communion began on Thursday evening by meditating on the Passion of Christ. Thinking back over the time since your last communion, write a prayer of confession. Be specific in talking with God. Ask to be forgiven. With God’s help, consider ways to change your behavior. Receive God’s forgiveness.
March 5, 2008
Tuesday, March 4
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Read Luke 4:14-30
Remaining ‘oneself’ in right relationship with God is not easy. It requires prayerful submission each day. Humility says that we are not what the world says of us; ‘good, bad, or indifferent’. Humility says that we are in alignment with God’s design, purpose and will for our lives. Today give yourself over to what God has in mind. Begin by asking to know God’s will and purpose for the day.
March 4, 2008
Monday, March 3
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Read Luke 4:14-30
Jesus focused on his relationship with God. Nouwen speaks of God’s love as the ‘first love’, the only love which is whole and complete. Although other loves are real, they will always ‘fall short’ and be incomplete. Only in God’s first love was Jesus made whole. How would you describe the love you receive from other people? How do you understand God’s love for you?
March 3, 2008
Sunday, March 2
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Read Luke 4:14-30
In Life of the Beloved Henri Nouwen says that people can have false identities. We allow ourselves to be defined by what we do [our profession]; what others say about us [praise or rejection] and by what we have [possessions]. Our true identify is in Christ. We are the beloved sons and daughters of God.
Jesus’ rejection in his home town, by authorities, and by people offended at his teaching was ‘worldly’ rejection. Although there were times when Jesus wept, was angry and cried out in anguish, his feelings did not interfere with his mission. He remained ‘true’ to his identity. How do you experience your identity as a beloved child of God in times of distress and rejection? How might you be ‘true’ to that identity?
March 3, 2008
Thursday, February 28
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Listen to February 24 Sermon: Valley of Suffering
Jesus’ life and suffering glorified God. Looking past our own suffering to the suffering of
those next door or a world away joins personal circumstance with a universal cry. Our prayer can become a prayer for the whole of humanity; a call for the promise of Christ’s sacrifice to enfold all of us in God’s mercy, grace and power. What prayer might you say today?
February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28
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Listen to February 24 Sermon: Valley of Suffering
In Galatians 6:2 Paul says that we are to bear one another’s burdens. In the Practice of Substituted Love [Weavings, July/August 2007], Elizabeth Green suggests that we can offer “…to carry the weight of others’ grief, pain and fear for a time so they can meet their challenges in a less encumbered way. Jesus does this for us, and we are called to do so for others. And …”what if we can ask others to do the same for us?” How might you carry or share a burden?
February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26
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Listen to February 24 Sermon: Valley of Suffering
Jesus is both example and companion. In Gethsemane Jesus asks that his suffering be taken away. “Father if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done [Luke 22: 42].” How might you pray; ‘Lord, in all the circumstances of my life, may you be glorified?’
February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25
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Listen to February 24 Sermon: Valley of Suffering
Why human suffering? It is a part of our earthly experience. It is. Perhaps the question is not so much ‘why’, but ‘where’ to find God in the midst of suffering or ‘how’ to endure? What are your ‘places of suffering’? Where has God been present directly and through others? How has prayer undergirded endurance?
February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24
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Jesus walked ‘ the valley of suffering’ within God’s love, presence and guidance. He did not walk alone and neither do we. Jesus set aside time for prayer and reflection, time in which he spoke to God and listened for God’s response; time in which he may simply have ‘rested’ in God’s presence. How are you suffering today? How might you rest in God’s presence?
February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 23
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Pray Hymn 301:
“Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”
Jesus, keep me near the cross:
There a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream
flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the Cross, in the Cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find,
Rest beyond the river.
February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22
Read Luke 17-21
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Having discovered your own vulnerability, how might you turn toward the weak and the marginalized in our society, not only to bring the message of Christ, but to be the hands of Christ?
February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21
Read Mark 9:14-24
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How much faith is needed in order that we might be touched and healed? In Mark 9:14-24 a desperate father has brought his son to be healed, approaching Jesus saying: “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Although the father isn’t certain what Jesus can or will do, he responds to Jesus by saying “I do believe, help my unbelief.”
February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20
Read Mark 5:25-34
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In Mark 5:25-34 a woman is healed as she ‘touches the hem’ of Jesus’ garment. To come close enough to Jesus to touch him implies profound need, persistence and faith. Indeed, Jesus says that the woman’s faith has healed her. In faith how might you seek to touch Jesus? How might Jesus respond to your touch?
February 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 19
Read Luke 6:17-21
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People ‘reached out’ to Jesus hoping to bring a personal petition to his attention; hoping to draw him toward a need which only he could address. It’s difficult to reach and hide at the same time. Reaching for Jesus means opening to vulnerability, making plain before him that we need and desire forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration. How might you open yourself to Jesus this week?
February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18
Read Luke 6:20-21
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People came to ‘hear’ Jesus. In order to hear we must make ourselves available to listen. Sitting quietly with Scripture, silencing our own voice, and making a place in which God may be heard will open both mind and heart to the healing that we seek. What does God say to you in today’s scripture?
February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17
Read Luke 6:17-19
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The Scriptural passage suggests that need and vulnerability are recognized by those who seek Jesus. God will meet us at our place of greatest need. Our physical needs are often obvious; our spiritual needs sometimes less so; and our temptations want to remain in darkness. Prayerfully consider those areas in which you recognize vulnerability and ‘weakness’. Ask Christ to show you those places you cannot see. Bring all these to Christ.
February 18, 2008
The liturgical season of Lent is a forty-day period of prayer and spiritual self-examination which prepares us for the Festival of the Resurrection, Easter. It is a time during which we follow the life of Jesus as he traveled toward the Cross. Join us each day to reflect and pray. As God’s beloved children, let us journey together with open hearts and minds as we seek ‘peace in the valley’.
February 8, 2008
