Monday, March 17
Somewhere along the way, we were told that we need to be in a
"good place" to experience God. That if we can pray enough, think
enough, or be moral enough, somehow we will know Christ more
deeply. I think the season of Lent can highlight this belief in the
worst possible way. We can think that by giving up something
(chocolate, the internet, television), we will more deeply recognize
Christ in our midst. And at the same time we can live in some denial
about our real motivations (thinner waists and quieter brains). What
I would say is that your "discipline" and even your motivation do not
matter all that much to God.
Lenten devotions are not about God getting closer to us. They are about us realizing how close God already is. He took care of closeness to us when he came amongst us and died for us on the cross. He is at hand and present to us at all times and in all states of our sinsick souls.
When I read the passage from Mark I am always struck by the knowing of the unclean spirits. This is a common theme in Mark. Those who are healed and those who are unclean recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God. I often feel like they are the unwanted backup singers for Jesus' miracles. All along they proclaim him Son of God, Redeemer of all, even when he keeps telling them to shut up.
We don't need to get it all right to know Jesus. In fact, in our most unclean places, our Redeemer lives and loves us no matter what.
The Rev. Sarah Condon
Chaplain, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and
Parent, Holy Spirit Episcopal School
Genesis 41:46-57
Psalms 56, 57, 64, 65
1 Corinthians 4:8-21
Mark 3:7-19a
Psalms 56, 57, 64, 65
1 Corinthians 4:8-21
Mark 3:7-19a
Lenten devotions are not about God getting closer to us. They are about us realizing how close God already is. He took care of closeness to us when he came amongst us and died for us on the cross. He is at hand and present to us at all times and in all states of our sinsick souls.
When I read the passage from Mark I am always struck by the knowing of the unclean spirits. This is a common theme in Mark. Those who are healed and those who are unclean recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God. I often feel like they are the unwanted backup singers for Jesus' miracles. All along they proclaim him Son of God, Redeemer of all, even when he keeps telling them to shut up.
We don't need to get it all right to know Jesus. In fact, in our most unclean places, our Redeemer lives and loves us no matter what.
The Rev. Sarah Condon
Chaplain, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and
Parent, Holy Spirit Episcopal School