HOLY SATURDAY

Saturday, March 30

Job 19:21-27a

Psalms 27, 95, 88

Hebrews 4:1-16 or Romans 8:1-11

Romans 8:1-11

Sometimes I find myself getting way too caught up in material things – like obsessing over the newest designer jeans or the must-have Ugg boots. It’s okay to want things, but when it starts to become a distraction from God, then it becomes an issue.

We, as Christians, take for granted so much of what God has given us. He has given us free will, worth, and a purpose in this lifetime. We can call on God at anytime we need Him, guaranteed. He listens to us, and helps us continue in this blessed life He has granted us.

Why would we not want to have that comfort from Him? When we are closest to Him, we have confidence and pure happiness in all situations, but when our selfish desires start to get in the way, the littlest things (like having to have those designer jeans) becomes the end of the world! That’s why we need to focus on Christ and not the silly things that are considered important in this materialistic world we have created. Unfortunately, that is not an easy task to keep, which is why we must rely on God and ask Him to help us keep our main priorities, like worshiping Him, first.

Brooke Fendley

7^th Grader, Holy Spirit Episcopal School

GOOD FRIDAY

Friday, March 29

Genesis 22:1-14

Psalms 22, 40, 54, 95

1 Peter 1:10-20

John 13:36-38 or John 19:38-42

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

and are so far from my cry

and from the words of my distress?  Psalm 22:1

Today is the most somber day in the Church calendar. We know that the story continues, however, so we aren't in the same position as Jesus' followers were on that day. Imagine what devastating emotions they went through after Jesus died. Everything they had come to believe in and built their lives on seemed to have disappeared. They felt abandoned and feared what would come to them next; in their grief and confusion, they forgot God's promises to them.

There are times in all our lives when we feel that same way. All our prayers seem to go unanswered and we don't understand why. We are good Christians--we go to Church, we help the less fortunate, we pray, we are good stewards--but things aren't going the way we intended. Some change, some event, some loss hits us so hard that we feel abandoned by God. Answers elude us, nothing we do seems to change the course of events and we start to doubt our faith. It is in those times that we are like Jesus' followers after He was placed in the tomb. We forget that God's promises to us will be kept in God's way and in God's time. We forget that being a Christian doesn't make life easier.

These are the events that challenge us to grow, to become more, to expand ourselves and our faith. God gives us that opportunity, that strength, that courage to go forward. As our story continues, we see God's promise to us--not that life will be less challenging but that He is with us to see us through to the next chapter.

Mary D. Crowe

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Thursday, March 28

Jeremiah 20:7-11

Psalms 102, 142, 143

1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 11:27-32

John 17

I Write About a Missionary …

Tonight, I write about a missionary

She, who kept watch over my lost heart,

She, who kept watch over my life,

And restored my hope

She, who gave me prayer that gave me wings strong as an angel’s

She, who gave me school to learn my alphabet and to write with my hands

She, who gave me a prime education,

The key to my success

She, who gave me my first pen and paper,

The two things I love the most

I praise God, He who gave me the missionaries

I am what I am

In parts, in all seasons

A blessed witness of miracles

A witness of answered prayers

Putting life on paper carefully

Preserving the obvious history these eyes have seen

I am a believer

I am a man of hope

A sinner saved by grace

I love because strangers have loved me; I write about a missionary.  She who loved me first!

Jeremy Jjemba

From Youth of Africa: Collected Poems by Jeremy Jjemba

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Wednesday, March 27

Jeremiah 17:5-10, 14-17

Psalms 55, 74

Philippians 4:1-13

John 12:27-36

 Philippians 4:4-7, 12-13

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As part of Nathan’s confirmation studies, he asked me about what I do to maintain my faith.  I told him about my Faith Journal where I place scripture and encouraging quotes.  My first two entries covered just this encouragement that Paul gave to the people at Philippi during his first imprisonment in Rome:

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:27

and the quote:

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows,

but only empties today of it’s strengths.

Paul faced his imprisonment with the secure knowledge that God would always be with him, through every trial and tribulation:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

  

Sue Jolly

Parent, Holy Spirit Episcopal School

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Tuesday, March 26

Jeremiah 15:10-21
Psalms 6, 94
Philippians 3:15-21
John 12:20-26

In reading the passages for today, I was struck by how dramatic the language is:

·   “I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.” (Psalm 6:6)

·   “O Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve! O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?” (Psalm 94:1-3)

This language seems so out of step with how we talk and write today. Admittedly, I sometimes read the Old Testament in an overly dramatic voice akin to some of our worst actors of the day. Clearly, the psalmists are in major pain here. Clearly, things are going very, very wrong in the world, but in my obnoxiously cynical way, I get hung up on the language. The authors’ pain is lost in translation.

I was thinking how I often purposely lose the translation in today’s painful world, in particular every time I hear about another mass shooting. When Aurora happened, I shook my head and I said a prayer for our nation, but I went on. When the mall shooting happened in Oregon, I shook my head, said a prayer and vowed never to go mall shopping so close to Christmas. Realistically, if I allowed myself to become outraged—if I flooded my bed with tears at each one or if I rose my fist in the air imploring God’s vengeance—I wouldn’t be able to function.

But when our most recent mass shooting happened in Connecticut, the pain came through loud and clear. Like those parents, I too have a six-year-old, and the thought of losing my son, Atticus, in a blink of an eye, the thought of the fear and confusion those children suffered from moments before their lives were extinguished, made me reel. One of my favorite mock newspapers, the Onion, ran a headline that day that read: “Report: It’s Okay To Spend Rest Of Day Curled In Fetal Position Under Desk.” That’s exactly how I felt. I was overwhelmed by the pain.

There is tremendous pain all around us. There are people grieving as I write this, and today, I’m grateful not to be in their shoes. But pain is a given in this world. We blot it out when we can. We may even mock the drama of it at times to help ourselves cope. We allow ourselves to lose the translation so we don’t have to face it. But when the pain comes through loud and clear, when we are “shaking with terror” (Psalm 6:2), there is comfort in God.

“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 15:20)

Susan Diemont-Conwell

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Monday, March 25

Jeremiah 12:1-16

Psalms 51, 69:1-23

Philippians 3:1-14

John 12:9-19

There is an adorable video on YouTube.  Part of a series, there is a chubby cheeked kid who is called "Kid President" and he is giving a pep talk. (Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o) The message is very uplifting, but as I ruminated on my readings one part of the video really stuck out to me--"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..."

Throughout today's readings there is a theme of injustice.  Why am I suffering God, when I love you the most, and those less faithful are having an easy time Jeremiah asks?  An age-old question from believers everywhere who want things to be just a little easier.  The answer has long sense become as commonplace as the question but as the readings percolated through my brain and mixed with all of the input of the world today, I felt my attitude change.

Before I thought that God sent us trials to strengthen us.  "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."  God seems to be telling Jeremiah this is true in verse 5: "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out how can you compete with horses?"  I'm not saying that it isn't true, but I'd like to look at it another way.

What if we are choosing the road less traveled, and because it is less traveled it is just hard?  God isn't shooting trials and tribulations down on us from above, but we are living a life that we have chosen?  Kid President says that he would take the road that leads to AWESOME, and what is more awesome than meeting God in heaven?  Getting to awesome isn't going to be easy though.  It certainly wasn't easy for Jesus, and how much harder for the Father to pave the road with the blood of his son?

What if the person to blame for our troubles is just us?  Not the non-believers with their easy, foot worn path; not God shooting down troubles like bolts of lightning; not even our family, friends, pets or co-workers?  What if we said, "I choose the path that leads to Christ, and so when things get hard I know I'm on the right path?" That's what my Lenten goal will be (or was), to work on thanking God for the opportunity to walk the road less travelled, and to praise him for the thorns, bugs and sunburns along the way.

From Philippians 3:13 and 14--"forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Krystal Weiss

PALM SUNDAY

Sunday, March 24

Zechariah 9:9-12 or 12:9-13:9

Psalms 24, 29, 103

1 Timothy 6:12-16

Matthew 21:12-17

He is Mighty to Save

“Savior, He can move the mountains.  My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save.  Forever, Author of Salvation, He rose and conquered the Grave.”  I have sung this chorus many of times, but it wasn’t until recently that God shed some new light on it for me.  God can move mountains… have you ever really pondered that thought?  Of course our all powerful God can do whatever He pleases, but do you believe that?  I would like to encourage you to look for God through things that interest you. 

I have been fascinated by rainbows since I was a child.  It wasn’t until later in my life that I knew that a rainbow is a reminder of His promises to us.  Not so ironically, two days before I was asked to write this devotional, God showed me the most amazing rainbow.  This particular rainbow came at the most perfect time for me and was one like I had never seen before.  This rainbow was straight up and down, like it was pointing up to heaven, but that was not the most amazing part of this rainbow… it wasn’t raining!  It was a beautiful, blue sky, with a rainbow!  He certainly got my attention.  This brings me back to the thought of He can move mountains.  For me, seeing a rainbow on a sunny, blue sky day, meant that God was with me, through all that I was facing that day and what is to come.  I believe that if you diligently look around, you will see God’s presence in your life.  If you are going through a valley and think He isn’t near, keep looking, He most definitely is!  I have learned that He never leaves your side, and you can have His peace, if you search for it… in Him. 

In Psalm 103 David lists out many reasons we have to praise God.  He heals us from our diseases, redeems us from the pit, crowns us with compassion, and he does not treat us as our sins deserve.  Our most powerful God, the one who created all and raised Jesus from the dead, doesn’t just show us His strength, but also his love, compassion, and peace.  Today, I choose to Praise Him for these things.  I thank him for personally speaking to me.  I hope that you will look for Him, sometimes in obvious places, sometimes not, know that He genuinely loves you and watches over you as His child.  Praise God!

Angie Foster

Parent, Holy Spirit Episcopal School

Saturday, March 23
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Psalms 42, 43, 137, 144
Romans 11:25-36
John 11:28-44 or 12:37-50   

To know you is to love you.

The more I read the bible, the more I hear of the love that Jesus has for us.

In John 11:28-44 we read of Martha’s steadfast faith in Jesus, and in turn we learn of Jesus’ love and compassion as he raises Lazarus from the dead.

In John 12:37-50 Jesus tells us that he has come as the light, to lead us out of darkness, and he assures us of God’s love, because he speaks the words of his Father.

In Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Romans 11:25-36 we learn how God wrote his law on the hearts of Israel, how he forgave their sins and “remembers them no more.”  We see how great is his mercy.  If you have ever tried to forgive someone who has hurt you, you know how difficult that can be.  Yet, we see how much God loves us in his promise to forgive our sins.

In Psalms we read of a thirst for God during times of adversity and oppression.  Over and over we read of those who refuse to give up praising their God and Savior when their souls are suffering.  Satan wishes for you to doubt God’s love.  Know that Jesus is more powerful than our adversary.  He has proven this by canceling the debt of our sins by dying on the cross.  Even though I believe of this love with all my heart, I find it hard to comprehend the magnitude of it.

Although 60, 70, 80, 90 years may seem like a long time, our life on earth is short.  I encourage myself and you to live each day for God as he calls us to do, so that we may know His mercy and live with Him forever.

As I read the bible, I have moved from believing in God, to believing God; to believing His word and promises; to loving Him.

God knew you before you were born.

To know you is to love you.

Barbara Novelli

Staff, Holy Spirit Episcopal School

Friday, March 22

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-13
Psalms 22, 141, 143
Romans 11:13-24
John 11:1-27 or 12:1-10

John 12:1-10

Let Jesus Set Our Priorities

The poignant scene in which Mary takes an expensive ointment to the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her own hair, illustrates a vivid truth in our discipleship.  Judas objects to the use of such an expensive commodity--it could take care of plenty of more pressing needs--but Jesus rebukes him and delivers a lesson for his disciples.  John has Jesus saying, "You will always have the poor among you," which of course has been the source of countless theological reflections.  We can safely assume that Our Lord did not mean to minimize the needs of the poor.  He could just as easily have said, "You will always have resources available," something that is true for most of us today.  Rather, Christ calls us to be abundant in our expression of joy in his presence.  Even during Lent, we worship the Risen Lord.  Easter is in every breath of the believer.  As Mary was a humble and gentle servant, she was also uninhibited in her joy.  A good approach to our Lenten journey.

Fr. Bill Fowler

Interim Rector, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church

Thursday, March 21

Jeremiah 26:1-16

Psalms 131, 132, 133, 140, 142

Romans 11:1-12

John 10:19-42

 This day the lord has sent me to write about His glory in all the words you’ve read before.  The word came from the Lord.  It said, “tell the people about the Lord and perhaps some would change and listen to me.”  I answered and said, “I will give my life to be a song to praise your glorious name and to your name I will pray.”

Prayer…

I talk to myself

Praying to the invisible God

I talk to myself:

I say:

Almighty father,

Giver of life

True light, from true light

The one who made it all, seen and unseen,

For my salvation

For my soul

Come down, oh love divine

You who suffered death

You who rose in accordance with scripture

Come

For

My

Soul, come, never leave me alone

Humbly I yearn for your resurrection

Jeremy Jjemba

From Youth of Africa: Collected Poems by Jeremy Jjemba

Wednesday, March 20

Jeremiah 25:30-38

Psalms 119:145-176, 128, 129, 130

Romans 10:14-21

John 10:1-18

On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is our faith that Jesus is Lord?  In Romans today, we are told that we don't "get right with God" by keeping His laws, or doing good works, or giving offerings, or being a nice person.  All of those things are wonderful, important actions and qualities.  But as Paul explains, no one can earn God's favor.  It is only by putting our faith in Jesus that we will be saved.

Without faith we are lost.  Have you ever been lost when driving?   We may keep moving but have no sense of whether we are going in the right direction.  (I know that never happens to men!)  There is a feeling of helplessness that overcomes us.  We are irritable and angry.  That is also true in life.  We need meaning and purpose to give us direction.  That is what comes with faith. 

As the parent of two college students, I realize that I am not in control.  In fact, I'm not sure at this point that I ever was!!  But faith is what helps me sleep at night.  I know that Jesus is working in my life in ways that I know nothing about.  I can serve on church committees, cook for the poor, and give to the down-trodden all I want.  But without faith, I am lost.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say that faith is an 11.

Claire Martin

Tuesday, March 19

Jeremiah 25:8-17

Psalms 121,122,123, 124, 125, 126

Romans 10:1-13

John 9:18-41

“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’”

Psalm 122: 1

How true is the first verse of the 122nd Psalm!  Life’s events, such as illness, work schedules, trips out of town to see elderly parents, keep me from attending services every week, so I’m always so glad to come to church.  It is my touchstone, anchoring my life weekly no matter what turmoil may be going on.

Although I try to live in faith every day, coming into the house of the Lord means so much to me for many reasons.  In my journey of faith, the simple act of taking the bread and the cup each time leaves me with a feeling of being connected through the mists of time to the very essence of our faith, and to the countless followers of Christ back to the 12 at the last supper.  It is one of my spiritual touchstones that helps ground me. It times of personal turmoil it calms me. 

When I go to the house of the Lord I think of people around the world who, for whatever reasons, are unable to freely assemble and worship together and it reminds me how blessed I am to be able to come, unthreatened, openly, joyfully!

Coming to the house of the Lord reunites me with members of my church family and the life of my parish, my spiritual home.  When we, as a people, are struggling to make sense of some tragedy such as September 11, or the aftermath of hurricane Ike, the act coming together as a people of faith reassures and renews me. 

In fellowship with my church family I find myself eagerly wanting to do more for my parish and community.  For things I am already involved doing, I feel renewed and recommitted to the task. I also have the opportunity to connect with others that have become so dear to me, and to give them a hug along with words of endearment and encouragement. When I am low, I find I receive the same from others.

Granted, our faith should not dwell solely in the house of the Lord as we are to live it every day no matter where we are or whom we are with. But, to join others in His house is such a blessing and joy, that I am always glad when they say, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Amen and amen.

Lyn Morris

Monday, March 18

Jeremiah 24:1-10

Psalms 31, 35
Romans 9:19-33
John 9:1-17   

¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” ²⁰ But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? ²² What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory.  Romans 9:19-23

Excuses, Excuses:

The verses above are clear enough.  I reread them several times in shock. Seriously?  But there it is:

God doesn't want to hear it.  No excuses.  None of that "You made me this way" stuff that we are so good at - rationalizing and explaining away our falling short of His will.  He has expectations of us - we are to make known the riches of His glory, we don't get to say "Naw, I'm not strong enough, brave enough, tall enough, smart enough."  He is not making allowances.  We're in good company - Moses didn't get to use his speech impediment, Jonah his cowardice or Paul his disgust for the new church to explain away their own plans.

As a parent I have heard it all, every excuse under the sun.  And they sometimes work.  I find that my "mercy" is couched in our own adequacies.  I am more lenient to weaknesses I see in myself.  My husband tolerates things I don't and vice versa. Human judgment is weak and flawed.  He who has no weaknesses doesn't play that way.

So now that I have failed to meet His standards, what’s next for me?  Wait - there's more!

30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33

We can't do it alone - and we don't need to.  The people who succeed in His path don't do it by their own smarts but by Faith.  Know our weakness and then quit worrying - let go, trust Him.  He will use us - weaknesses and all.

Of course there's more:

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

We can do it!  He promises us this. Follow the path of righteousness, know and do His will. Our Father, who made us and knows us will not leave us alone. He will never push us too far and will never leave us alone. And if we fall short?  We fail, we are betrayed by our weakness?  No excuses but forgiveness and so much love.

Lisa Thomas

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Sunday, March 17

Jeremiah 23:16-32

Psalms 118, 145

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Mark 8:31-9:1

 “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself

and take up his cross and follow Me.”  Mark 8:34

Lent is sometimes thought of as a season of penance, that is, a time of self-denial.  We often speak of “giving something up for Lent.”  Whatever Lenten discipline we choose to follow, the purpose is to help us step away from the things of the world in order to sharpen our focus on the things of God.

Today’s readings speak poetically and forcefully of the need to disengage our thoughts and reliance on worldly promises and activities. Psalm 118 tells us:

It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in man.

It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in princes.

Jeremiah warns of false prophets who offer worldly comfort:

“And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart they say ‘No evil shall come upon you’”.

Jesus says it most directly and eloquently in Mark 8: 36:

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

As Episcopalians we are indeed fortunate to share a faith that demands that we observe Lent each year, that we take significant time each year to turn our thinking, and hopefully our lives, away from the false promises of the world and reconnect with the things of God.  Lent is an opportunity not to be missed, for what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world… well, you know the rest.

  

Bob Lowe

Saturday, March 16

Jeremiah 23:9-15

Psalms 33, 102, 108

Romans 9:1-18

John 6:60-71

 “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

John 6:63b

Jesus came onto this earth to give life to each of us – to bring salvation to each of us – and to send the Spirit to us to bring us joy and peace.

We have just finished Christmas.  We have put the gifts up.  We have undecorated the tree and the ornaments and lights are put away for safekeeping until later this year.  We have cut down on our eating – or at least have every good intention to cut back and loose those extra pounds that were packed on during the Christmas season.  All is settled down.

The cycle of our year brings us now to Lent and the anticipation of Easter.  Our time forces us to turn inward and to see who we are and what are we really made of – and what we truly believe. 

A way to do that is to think about the many gifts God has bestowed on each of us - the gifts of health, family, friends, home, food, and the air that surrounds us on every side.  Another way is to reflect on the words that Jesus spoke when he was on this earth.  The word love is used time after time.  Jesus’ actions speak volumes to us for Jesus’ actions were to express to us clearly that we are loved.  Through those words and through the actions, Jesus offers to us life – a life filled with love and an anticipation of love for all of eternity.

Do we believe that?  Do we live out our lives on this March 16^th as if we believe this?  Read the words.  Read of Jesus’ actions.  And sense life – and sense love.

Fr. John Pitts

Friday, March 15

Jeremiah 23:1-8

Psalm 107

Romans 8:28-39

John 6:52-59

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who’ve been called according to His purpose.”   Romans 8:28

Why does it often seem that life can be so hard?  I ask this question because I often become frustrated when the course of my daily life doesn't always go smoothly or in the manner that I had envisioned.  Frustration is the one of the results of living in a world that is saddled with sin.  I have to remind myself that setbacks are a part of life.  There will always be some degree of disappointment, and if you aren’t careful, that disappointment can lead to pain and resentment.  When we become resentful towards someone or a group, we don’t hurt those people; we only hurt ourselves.  Are we going to allow setbacks to make us a better person or a bitter person?

It is easy to become envious of others when life doesn’t go the way we want it to.  We begin to think, “It’s not fair. We've worked long and hard and things aren't going according to our plan?”  The question then is, just exactly whose plan are we trying to execute?  Our plan or God's Plan?  Our plan is just as flawed as the world we live in.  When we think we are taking control of a situation, we often find that control is merely temporary, if it ever existed at all.  A great example of this is the journey that the Rector Search Committee is currently taking.  We have found ourselves sometimes focused so hard on the "search" part of the job, that we sometimes miss out on the far more important "listen" part of the job.  By that I don't mean failing to listen to our candidates, but rather struggling to hear and comprehend what God is trying to tell us.  When we put everything in the context of focusing on God's Will and asking Him to give us wise and discerning hearts and minds, all our needs will be met and the answers start becoming much clearer.

We can persevere in a imperfect world by remembering a few things:

1.  God uses everything for our good.  God is bigger than our enemies and certainly bigger than our problems.  

2.  God wants us to succeed in all those areas where we may be coming up short.

3.  God solved our biggest problem when he paid for all our sins, including the ones we haven’t committed yet.  If God cared enough to save us and give us the gift of eternal life, it goes without saying that he certainly cares about the problems in our daily lives. 

4.  If it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about.  And if we pray about it, we won’t have to worry about it.

All of these things should remind and comfort us that God is good and has a firm control of our lives.

Doug Hart

Thursday, March 14

Jeremiah 22:13-23
Psalms 69, 73
Romans 8:12-27
John 6:41-51

 Justice and Perseverance

In reflecting on today’s readings, my mind kept returning to two words: perseverance and justice.  In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the murmuring Jews that He is the path to the Father and eternal life.  This is a cornerstone of our faith.  When the chips are down, however, faith is often doubted.  We are tempted to question God’s plan for us.  In the pursuit of earthly greatness, faith can be forgotten.  We are tempted to believe in our own prowess and focus on our own earthly desires at the expense of others.  I know I have experienced, and succumbed to, these temptations. 

Today’s readings reminded me that justice and perseverance are the antidotes to these temptations.  Persevering in faith will sustain me and help me resist the temptation to throw in the towel on God’s plan for me when the chips are down and the path forward seems too difficult.  Perseverance in faith sustained the psalmist and the early Roman Christian.  Conversely, achieving earthly success through just means allows me to remain in harmony with God’s plan.  As a lawyer, Jeremiah’s message that God demands that earthly success and greatness be built on justice and due regard for the needs of others resonated deeply with me. 

Therefore, in this Lenten season, my prayers will revolve around perseverance and justice.   

Mike Lennon

Wednesday, March 13

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Psalms 101, 109, 119:121-144

Romans 8:1-11

John 6:27-40

Psalm 101 of David

I will sing of your love and justice

To you, O Lord, I will sing praise

I will be careful to lead a blameless life

When will you come to me?

I will walk in my house with a blameless heart

I will set before my eyes, no vile thing

A blameless life?  How difficult is that?  In the time of David with wars and trials and tribulations, life was very complicated. Territories were fought over and claimed mainly through bloodshed.  The righteous life was just forming.

This psalm emphasizes the need for integrity in our lives.  To take personal responsibility for our own actions.

We are living in a culture where personal responsibility is disappearing. Everything is someone else's fault.  People complain about everything, from taxes to traffic.  Lawsuits are commonplace.  Many continue to blame others for their own weaknesses.  Do you?

So how can we live a blameless life and keep evil at a distance, as God demands?  I think it's not easy.  But with prayer and a clear focus on the really important things in life, like God and family, we can achieve it.

"Walk in my house with a blameless heart" is possible. We just have to try....

Prayerfully submitted,

Pat McDowell

Tuesday, March 12

Jeremiah 17:19-27
Psalms 94, 95, 97, 99, 100
Romans 7:13-25
John 6:16-27  

Another stop on our visit, on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, was Capernaum, said to be the home of Peter, where an ancient church site marks the spot.  John tells us that the disciples, heading to Capernaum from Tiberias, were rowing in the dark across the sea (really a lake about 8 miles wide, often with big squalls).  When they were about half way across, a storm came up, the sea rose and a strong wind blew.  Then the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, coming near to their boat.  Of course, they were afraid, but Jesus told them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”  They were then reassured and were glad, taking Jesus into their boat.

Here we see Jesus mastering the forces of nature.  The disciples had never seen anyone walking on water – naturally they’re afraid – plus the storm was great and that must have added to the fear.  It’s the same when we’re afraid – when we face uncertainly, pain, or any sort of trouble in our lives.  Jesus is as near to us as he was to the disciples on the dark, stormy sea.  We have only to let him into our boat, our lives, so that we can feel the calmness that His nearness brings.

Elizabeth and Ian Bremner

Monday, March 11

Jeremiah 16:10-21

Psalm 89

Romans 7:1-12

John 6:1-15

Several years ago, we visited Tiberias on the western shore of Galilee, which is the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, recounted in John’s story.  John related that on the Jewish feast of Passover, 5,000 hungry people gathered.  Then Jesus took 5 loaves of barley bread and two fish, gave thanks, and distributed them to the people.  John says that “When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!’”  Of course, the Jews were expecting a Messiah, but Jesus knew that he was not to be an earthly king.

Jesus clearly shows his power in this miracle.  The Jews outwardly acknowledge him, yet don’t understand what kind of king he really is or what kind of power he really stands for.  It’s interesting how we too can outwardly acknowledge Jesus, but we can inwardly turn away from who he really is.

In Jesus’ love for the people that he fed, we can see our love for us – something to remember when we feel alone or in need.  His love is always there for us.

Elizabeth and Ian Bremner

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Sunday, March 10

Jeremiah 14:1-9, 17-22

Psalms 19, 46, 66, 67

Galatians 4:21-5:1

Mark 8:11-21

 Mark 8:11-21

People haven’t changed much in 2000 years.  When I read Mark 8:11-21, I can picture Jesus as he “sighed deeply” and once again tried to explain his teachings to people who just didn’t get it.  First we find him dealing with the Pharisees, clever lot that they are, who are badgering him for a sign from heaven, another miracle.  Jesus refuses saying, “Why does this generation ask for a sign?”  Can’t you just hear him saying that to us today?  He then gets into a boat with his disciples, the trusted followers who have supported him every step of his ministry.  And what are they concerned about at this moment?  They are quarreling amongst themselves trying to figure out which one of them forgot to bring enough bread for the group to eat.  Jesus promises them the bread of eternal life, and they can’t see past their next meal.  Jesus reminds them that there has always been enough bread to go around.  He even gives concrete examples of past miracles he has performed illustrating this fact and asks, “Do you still not understand?”  They did not and neither do we.

Fasting during Lent was something that was taken very seriously when I was a child.  In my childlike mind, denying oneself food in order to actually feel that hungry feeling seemed important.  Giving up food you loved, like chocolate, made it all the more meaningful.  It felt like a real sacrifice.  As I got older, I recognized the parallels between physical hunger and spiritual hunger, a hunger only God can satisfy.

Often when we’re hungry, physically or spiritually, we reach for things that are not healthy.  Jesus understands this all too well.  In Mark 8, he warns his disciples to be careful about the contaminating yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.  Of course, they miss the point again.  They’re still too busy bickering over whom to blame for forgetting that extra bread.

In 1 Corinthians 5:8-9, Paul also reminds us, “Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch — as you really are.  For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (NIV)

Evelyn Snow

Saturday, March 9

Jeremiah 13:1-11

Psalms 87, 90, 136

Romans 6:12-23

John 8:47-59

“We’ve got some diem to carpe!” is one of my favorite lines from a children’s movie called, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”  I love the twisting around of the aphorism, which we typically translate as “Seize the day!”  Our one precious life on this earth is so short, and when taking seriously the path of a Christian, it is even more cherished.

I paused to read through the thirty to forty scriptures selected for the day’s reading, and perhaps it is the educator in me, the years of note taking and lesson planning to break things down in parts, but I learn from seeing them in a culminating poem:

You may choose to refuse to listen

Do what your stubborn heart wants

Chase after other gods

And worse yet, serve and worship them

Useless

~

Pray as Moses:

“Make us glad for as many days as you have made us suffer, give us joy

for as many years as we’ve had trouble.  Show us mighty acts.”

All blessings come from Zion

His faithful love continues forever

A slave to right living is being holy

The reason you may not hear is that you do not belong to God

Everyone who belongs to God hears what God says

As Head of Holy Spirit Episcopal School, I watch children grow before my very eyes.  Too often, they see us making choices to get involved in things that are unimportant—things that take our mind off of God.  Dysfunction and breakdowns in communication lead to mistrust.  Our way to truly “belong” is to meet the challenge of listening, opening up our hearts and focusing on doing what is right in His eyes.  In this very moment in time, while our young ones are watching us, join me in shouting, “Let our children see His glorious power!”

Lori A. Preston

Head of School, Holy Spirit Episcopal School