Christ Church Episcopal Hudson 2021 Lenten Devotions Reflections by Members of our Parish Family
\"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word.\" Book of Common Prayer Front Cover Art by Jane Harrison
Lent 2021 Dear Friends, The idea of a Lenten wilderness certainly takes on new meaning this year. As we approach the one-year anniversary of suspending in-person worship (with the exception of very small outdoor and indoor services in the late summer and fall), we are weary of the wilderness. Perhaps this year, we can see the Lenten wilderness with new eyes. The Lenten wilderness is the challenge to see God at work in desolate places, to see the places where the flowers bloom in the desert (Isaiah 35:1). In the wilderness, Jesus was with the wild beasts and the angels waited on him (Mark 1:13). Where do we find the gentleness of wild beasts in our wilderness? Who are the angels? The Lenten devotion booklet, filled with reflections from fellow parishioners and friends of Christ Church, is a huge bouquet of flowers in the desert. Each reflection comes from the heart of someone traveling in this wilderness and represents the work of an angel or the gentleness of a wild beast. I trust that by journeying through the Lenten wilderness together in this way, we can find the season to be a time of peace and reflection that sustains us in the COVID-19 wilderness and brings us to Easter with new eyes and refreshed hearts. My gratitude to each person who wrote a reflection, and to Heather Swift and Kathy Garber who take care of every aspect of booklet production. Lenten blessings, Charlotte The Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed
February 17, 2021 ~ Ash Wednesday 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. Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Psalm 103 / The Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 On Ash Wednesday, the rainbow reminds us that God loves us no matter what. But we also know that God wants us to do what is right not what is wrong. So on Ash Wednesday we promise to do better and when we don't do better we ask for forgiveness. Hailey Abramson (Sallie and Jim Bear's granddaughter)
February 18, 2021 ~ Thursday after Ash Wednesday Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Deuteronomy 30:15–20 Psalm 1 / The Gospel: Luke 9:18–25 Hand-knit garments for my grandson get a special label, machine embroidered with “Grandma Purrkins”. Aaron distinguishes me from his other grandma by the names of our pets. Labels describe and identify. Nutrition labels list the nutrients in food. Libraries order their collections by call number labels and subject- classifying numbers. Universal product codes identify retail items. Labelling people is another story. The old adage, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me” intends protection against unpleasant things said about a person. However, psychologists today would say that name-calling wounds people. Even positive labels cause unintended damage by presenting too narrow a picture of a human being. Jesus wants to know “Who do people say that I am?” They respond variously with the names of prophets, John the Baptist and Elijah. But Jesus wants to know what they think. “Who do you say that I am?” Peter confesses “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” These labels are going to get Jesus in trouble. Janet Daniels
February 19, 2021 ~ Friday after Ash Wednesday Support us, O Lord, with your gracious favor through the fast we have begun; that as we observe it by bodily self-denial, so we may fulfill it with inner sincerity of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 58:1–9a Psalm 51:1-10 / The Gospel: Matthew 9:10–17 Today’s readings shine a light on our internal selves and on the world outside ourselves. The prophet Isaiah calls for an honest assessment of a people who claim to be seeking God yet focus their attention on what’s in it for them. They fast to be acknowledged rather than emptying themselves so that God’s light can shine through them. While they proclaim their self-righteousness, they are exploiting their workers, and fighting and quarreling among themselves. Isaiah exhorts them to fast for true righteousness: to loose the chains of injustice; to set the oppressed free; to share food with the hungry; to provide shelter for the poor wanderer; and to clothe the naked. He speaks to the people of his day and he speaks to us. Jesus has the same message when he says that he desires mercy not sacrifice. His example that no one pours new wine in old wineskins brings to mind the quote from Albert Einstein “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Our cultural structures of inequality can only be dismantled if each of us takes seriously Isaiah’s and Jesus’ call to righteousness. In Psalm 51, David, having sinned with Bathsheba, acknowledges his transgressions and turns to God for mercy. His plea can be our own: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Linda Irving
February 20, 2021 ~ Saturday after Ash Wednesday Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth your right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 58:9b–14 Psalm 86:1–11 / The Gospel: Luke 5:27–32 When I first read today’s Isaiah passage, I initially wanted to focus on Sabbath keeping and the call to trust God and joyfully rest. However, as I sat to prepare my reflection, I couldn’t make it past the very first verse: ‘If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil….” I’ll confess that as I read the first line, I had in mind some yokes in our society and the people I am tempted to blame for them. But then I keep reading and immediately receive a gut check: “the pointing of the finger....” Ooff. In our polarized society, pointing fingers is something that can come easily and naturally. The temptation is great to demonize those on the other side and label them as evil or what have you. It is very easy to read many of the verses in this passage and find people to blame while glossing over the call to not point fingers, but let us stop ourselves when tempted to place blame. We must work together to remove yokes, to refrain from speaking evil, to offer food to the hungry and satisfy needs. Yes, even to observe the Sabbath. The fulfillment of these statements requires a communal effort. We must work together to repair the breach. Community cannot be restored when we continue to point fingers. To be clear, accountability and repentance for wrong action are necessary and important, but nothing constructive comes from pointing fingers. Sarah Bhatia
February 21, 2021 ~ First Sunday in Lent 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. Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-9 / The Gospel: Mark 1:9-15 Who can know what the day will bring? On this cold gray morn, the first line of an old hymn repeats in my mind, “In the bleak mid-winter, frosty wind made moan…” and it is rather depressing. Yet now there is greater access to the Covid 19 vaccine and today’s readings are hopeful; they promise relief from the long wait. First, in the covenant with Noah, the symbol of God’s abiding love is promised in the beauty of the rainbow; then the psalmist declares, “All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies”; and Mark’s Gospel features another sign of hope as the Dove, manifesting the Holy Spirit, descends at Jesus’s baptism to declare Him Beloved Son. How marvelous are these signs when we pause, pay attention and allow wonder to take over! My youngest granddaughter, Titch, like many children, is much taken with rainbows and, frankly so am I. That is especially true since I learned that the reason the rainbow in the sky is always an arc is not because the refraction of light has to form an arc. No, but because it seeks to form a circle, symbol of wholeness and eternity, yet it cannot because, “the earth gets in the way” so we only see part of the circle’s curve instead. I always rejoice and thank God when I see the beauty of a rainbow in the sky or witness the Baptism of a child, don’t you? God surely sends signs of encouragement and hope in our dark moments if we pay attention and they’re always welcome in our hearts. Gretchen Green
February 22, 2021 ~ Monday in 1st week of Lent Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully increase in us your gifts of holy discipline, in almsgiving, prayer, and fasting; that our lives may be directed to the fulfilling of your most gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Leviticus 19:1–2, 11–18 Psalm 19:7-14 / The Gospel: Matthew 25:31–46 I attended a conservative Christian college, where I dreaded taking Introduction to Theology. Each of the ten weeks of the quarter we studied a different doctrine evangelicals held dear--soteriology, eschatology, many -ologies. A list of Bible verses for each belief demonstrated its truth. Unquestionably, we were orthodox. We had \"right doctrine.\" Belief was a mental exercise; questioning our received interpretation of Scripture was not permitted. Many years later, the truth of Matthew's words in this passage were comforting, as well as challenging. Inheriting the kingdom was not based on mental assent to statements I could not fully embrace. Jesus made it clear that orthopraxis, right doing, was more important than right thinking, though of course both were needed. Feed the hungry, give the thirsty something to drink, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, visit those in prison—these six actions, not always easy, were the criteria by which God would someday judge me. At any time, but especially now, in a pandemic and a highly politicized world, Jesus calls each of us to do that work. And in the here and now, we will be doing kingdom work. Judy A. Johnson
February 23, 2021 ~ Tuesday in 1st week of Lent Grant to your people, Lord, grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only true God; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 55:6–11 Psalm 34:15-22 / The Gospel: Matthew 6:7–15 The Old Testament lesson for today (Is 55:6-11) is one that Jane and I have come to know well as Canticle 10, one of the responses to scripture from Morning Prayer. I believe this canticle is about prayer as conversation that God initiates with us as regularly and consistently as he brings rain and snow to his creation. We are called to be attentive and receptive to God’s thoughts and ways, that his will might be accomplished. Fr. Martin Smith, in his book “The Word Is Very Near You”, proposes that “in much prayer the attention we pay to God’s disclosure is our response.” He offers the example that, “if in prayer we are made aware that God loves us as we are, even in our mediocrity, our best response is to savor that, to allow it to sink in, rather than to start making resolutions and promises;” that “our taking in of God’s touch and word is just the ‘answer’ God is hoping for;\" that “[our] answer will gradually get spelled out, not so much by many words in prayer time, but in the actions and growth that our acceptance of God’s disclosure will make possible.” I believe that it is in that way that God’s word “shall accomplish that which [God purposes].” Len Harrison
February 24, 2021 ~ Wednesday in 1st week of Lent Bless us, O God, in this holy season, in which our hearts seek your help and healing; and so purify us by your discipline that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Acts 1:15-26; Phillippians 3:13-21 Psalm 15 / The Gospel: John 15:1,6-16 As I read through the assigned readings for this date I didn’t see a lot of connectivity between them. Then I got to the John reading and it ends with Jesus telling us to love one another as He loves us. So I thought the answer was to expound a little on love, but I got bogged down with which love did He mean. Probably most likely it is agape love. Then I got cold feet in pursuing the love theme, as the word is now used in so many ways. Then I was reminded of a question Greg Koukle, President of Stand To Reason shared: “How do we know God is True?” asked Greg’s daughter. His response stuck with me: “The reason we believe God is true is that God is the best explanation of the way things are.” For some reason that helped me make some sense of the readings. As Christ followers, it would seem we live in two worlds: the spiritual and the “every day” living, breathing, workaday world. And these readings, as is often the case in scripture, provide a practical and spiritual guide for the “Little Christs” that C.S. Lewis says we are called to be. Psalm 15 gives practical guidance for living: “…walks blamelessly... speaks truth… does not slander… does no evil to his friend.” But Paul speaks to our spiritual person when he tells the Philippians what really matters is knowing and having Christ in your heart. Aren’t we blessed that OUR God, while caring for and loving a universe, will take our hand and walk with us through the daily trials and joys of life. His Word proclaims this. Larry King
February 25, 2021 ~ Thursday in 1st week of Lent Strengthen us, O Lord, by your grace, that in your might we may overcome all spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Esther 14:1–6,12–14 Psalm 138 / The Gospel: Matthew 7:7–12 The Rt. Rev. Herbert Thompson, Jr., was the first bishop I knew as a person. He was a traditionalist. He did not support the changes occurring in the Episcopal Church in the 2000s. However, during the height of the conflict among his clergy and congregations—which was intense—he told us, “Jesus did not command us to be right. He commanded us to be one.” The Collect, the Old Testament lesson, and the Psalm for today all refer to overcoming our enemies. We know the rallying power of a common enemy. Our leaders have tried to stir us to oppose the likes of the “axis of evil” and a “vast right-wing conspiracy.” The biblical books referred to as “the law and the prophets” are full of enemies, like the Egyptians and the Philistines. Nonetheless, in the Gospel for today, Jesus says, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” In the 1940s, an Anglican layperson, C.S. Lewis, wrote, “Christ says, ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it’” (Mere Christianity, Ch. 8). Our natural selves are inclined to follow leaders who whip us into a frenzy about our enemies, real or imagined. But Jesus did not command us to be right. He commanded us to be one. Don Reed
February 26, 2021 ~ Friday in 1st week of Lent Lord Christ, our eternal Redeemer, grant us such fellowship in your sufferings, that, filled with your Holy Spirit, we may subdue the flesh to the spirit, and the spirit to you, and at the last attain to the glory of your resurrection; who lives and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Ezekiel 18:21–28 Psalm 130 / The Gospel: Matthew 5:20–26 Matthew 5:20-26 ~ “...first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” When we say the confession every Sunday, we bring our burdens to God, asking for forgiveness for who we have wronged. Sometimes I come to the confession asking God for forgiveness in how I have treated others. However, how can I ask God for forgiveness when I first haven’t asked for forgiveness from my neighbor? Well, God doesn’t tell you to your face how much pain you caused. God doesn’t tell you how he/she was up all night thinking about what you told them. God doesn’t get mad at you like another human. Rather than praying in confession, “God, I am sorry for how I offended X” maybe my prayer should be “God, give me strength to apologize to X for my stone-heartedness.” Apologizing costs all of our pennies, but remember that any penny that has been tarnished can always be wiped cleaned. Just takes some time and elbow grease. Mario Buchanan
February 27, 2021 ~ Saturday in 1st week of Lent O God, by your Word you marvelously carry out the work of reconciliation: Grant that in our Lenten fast we may be devoted to you with all our hearts, and united with one another in prayer and holy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Psalm 119:1-8 / The Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48 In the last few years, it has seemed that our country is more divided and polarized than at any time since the Civil War. I will not attempt (in 200 words or less) to analyze the reasons for this division of the “un-United States.” But this Lent, 2021, provides a special opportunity to put Christ’s words into our hearts and minds. In Matthew 5, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. ... If you love those who love you, what reward do you have?” We sometimes assume (incorrectly) that everyone shares our political views. Those on the other side of an issue are sometimes thought to be not just wrong but un-Christian or even (gasp!) un-Episcopalian. Using Christ’s words, let us resolve this Lent to read and listen to viewpoints of “the other side” and try to understand motives and feelings of our “enemies.” It is easy to be in a silo of news media and opinion, magnified by social media, and never venture out into “enemy” territory. As Christ said, “If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?” Eileen Gaston
February 28, 2021 ~ Second Sunday in Lent 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. Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 Psalm 22:22-30 / The Gospel: Mark 8:31-38 “When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” This quote from Lao Tzu is emblematic of the teachings in these readings. Now, Jesus and Lao Tzu could have been friends, but probably would not have always seen eye-to-eye. God offers one of His major covenants in Genesis by changing Abram’s name, which translates Exalted Father, to Abraham, which translates to Father of Many. God promises an apprehensive Abraham that his descendants would someday become many nations and spread over the Earth. Psalms promises the rule of God is universal, and nations will recognize that fact through what He does on behalf of His people. These promises are fulfilled in Paul’s writings in Romans that Abraham’s offspring will have eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus. True faith symbolized by the word righteousness, which is used several times by Paul in this section of Romans. Jesus drives this point home in Mark’s Gospel by encouraging us to cease making ourselves the objects of our own life and actions; rather, we should remember the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ. Remember: Nothing is lacking. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Eternal life belongs to us. James Boazzo
March 1, 2021 ~ Monday in 2nd week of Lent Let your Spirit, O Lord, come into the midst of us to wash us with the pure water of repentance, and prepare us to be always a living sacrifice to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Daniel 9:3–10 Psalm 79:1–9 / The Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 The Old Testament readings for today suggest to me a five-part progression from sin to confession through repentance and on, finally, to forgiveness and a renewal of relationship. No one is better than the Hebrew prophets for spelling it out, as in Daniel: “Open shame, O Lord, falls on us, our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you.” Don the sackcloth and ashes, and we’re on our way. So let’s all follow the formula. It’s neat and tidy, and God always, eventually, comes around. But wait! What is Jesus up to in The Sermon on the Mount? He seems to be rewriting the formula. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who abuse you.” So, the sinning is obvious, hate and abuse, but where is the confession and repentance? Jesus takes us straight to forgiveness. I’m not sure I’m up for this. A little remorse from my enemy would be so satisfying. But the words, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned,” remind me that I am also in need of forgiveness from time to time. And the reward for us all, if we can master this new formula, is nothing less than to renew our relationship with God and each other as “children of the Most High.” Pam Zuhl
March 2, 2021 ~ Tuesday in 2nd week of Lent O God, you willed to redeem us from all iniquity by your Son: Deliver us when we are tempted to regard sin without abhorrence, and let the virtue of his passion come between us and our mortal enemy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 1:2–4,16–20 Psalm 50:7–15, 22–24 / The Gospel: Matthew 23:1–12 When I first became a minister, my then pastor, Rev. L.K.A. Simon taught me the importance of leading by example. He knew that when serving in a position of leadership, our actions would speak louder than our words. This seems to be what Jesus is talking about when he says, “do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.” Those seem to be pretty harsh words from our Lord. However, they are words that we all need to hear. How easy it is to get lost in ourselves, our abilities, positions, and titles and lose sight of what God has really called us to be, and that is humble servants? Maybe during this season of Lent, we can take time to reflect on the kind of servant God is calling us to be, a servant that brings him honor. He tells us to “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” So may we search ourselves and see in what ways we can begin to let our actions speak louder than any words coming from our mouths. Dr. Robin Woodberry
March 3, 2021 ~ Wednesday in 2nd week of Lent O God, you so loved the world that you gave your only- begotten Son to reconcile earth with heaven: Grant that we, loving you above all things, may love our friends in you, and our enemies for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Jeremiah 18:1–11,18–20 Psalm 31:9–16 / The Gospel: Matthew 20:17–28 The last line in today’s reading from Matthew—“the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”— reminds us that if we are to follow Christ’s example, we, too, must serve. I doubt this means we must literally give our lives to do so. I hope not! Rather, we are reminded to serve no matter how small our service might be. One of my favorite poets, Gerard Manley Hopkins, a Jesuit priest, when asked how to be holy, is said to have replied “Give alms.” Whether it’s the widow’s mite or the ability to write a check for thousands of dollars or simply showing up to help at a community meal, we all can serve. When we do these duties cheerfully or even grudgingly on a bad day, we follow Christ’s example and are, in effect, evangelizing. Without hectoring or preaching, let alone preaching fire and brimstone, we show how the Christian community values the larger community, joyfully. The next-to-last line of our Psalm today is Psalm: 31:16—\"Let your face shine on your servant.” Our faces as we serve will reflect that shine on our community. Tom Dukes
March 4, 2021 ~ Thursday in 2nd week of Lent O Lord, strong and mighty, Lord of hosts and King of glory: Cleanse our hearts from sin, keep our hands pure, and turn our minds from what is passing away; so that at the last we may stand in your holy place and receive your blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Jeremiah 17:5–10 Psalm 1 / The Gospel: Luke 16:19–31 Many of us consider the Bible in fragments. Great stories about creation and the exodus. Beautiful poetry like Psalms. Intriguing characters like Adam, Noah, Joseph, David, Peter and Paul. However as we grow in faith, we understand the Bible is one book - every chapter vital, upholding what comes before and after. Today’s readings are no different. In each case the narrative breaks down into two’s. Two choices (Jeremiah 17:5-10). Two behaviors (Psalm 1). Two men (Luke 16: 19-31). In all, the lesson is the same. Trust in man to your peril. Trust in God and experience hope, joy and freedom now and eternally. Given the options, the choice seems clear. But we are human, vulnerable to temptation. Despite God saying, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,” like the rich man, we are distracted by the world. Which takes us through this Lenten season to the Cross and Resurrection. Jesus stands in the gap between sin and redemption, offering forgiveness and new beginnings. How beautiful to think we can sing the lines from this hymn together… “Morning by morning new mercies I see… All I have needed Thy hand hath provided… Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.” Judy Brookhart
March 5, 2021 ~ Friday in 2nd week of Lent Grant, O Lord, that as your Son Jesus Christ prayed for his enemies on the cross, so we may have grace to forgive those who wrongfully or scornfully use us, that we ourselves may be able to receive your forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Genesis 37:3–4,12–28 Psalm 105:16–22 / The Gospel: Matthew 21:33–43 Joseph was about as beloved to Israel as Jesus to God. Joseph was sacrificed in a way when he was sold to be a slave in Egypt. Good things came out of this as it turned out. Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate in good things. Matthew talks about the chief corner stone being rejected which is both like Joseph and Jesus. Sometimes something horrible can bring about good things in the end. Joseph and Jesus both showed great love. Joseph in the end was able and willing to take care of his family during the famine. Jesus' death and resurrection ultimately brought about Christianity. I myself went through breast cancer - bilateral lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. I came through much healthier than I had been before. I found out I had so much love and support during my treatments and it was wonderful. I know there is a lot of love out there to get us through just about anything. As the Psalm says we need to show the forgiveness that Jesus showed praying for his enemies on the cross. Forgiving others is loving ourselves. If we can love ourselves we may pass this love on to the world. Susie Spearman
March 6, 2021 ~ Saturday in 2nd week of Lent Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Micah 7:14–15,18–20 Psalm 103:1–12 / The Gospel: Luke 15:11–32 Oh No! I am usually happy to choose, blindly, a Lenten selection of readings and ponder them. I think it is good for me to wrestle with something which requires me to really ponder something new, or at least something I haven’t written on before. I out loud groaned when I saw I had picked the lessons with the Prodigal Son. I said, “What new can be said about it?” Of course my first thinking was all wrong. All the Bible continues to have depths to which we could never plumb all the meanings, for you and for me. We are at different places and have had different experiences from our last encounter with each Bible passage. And so it is with this one. I believe God is opening my eyes to just what I need here and now and for the future. I remember one time confessing to a priest that I felt a lot like the son coming in from the field and saying “That’s not fair!” I can hear me and the hundreds of students and my own children saying that over the years, “That’s not fair!” In this case, how short sighted I am. How uncharitable of me, not wanting the best for my fellow man. And, who do I think I am? Just because I don’t have a dramatic past, like the Prodigal Son, I still have a past, and present, and I like to believe our Heavenly Father is still “throwing a feast” when I am enlightened a little more to live, really live, a more Godly life. Sue Addison King
March 7, 2021 ~ Third Sunday in Lent 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. Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Psalm 19 / The Gospel: John 2:13-22 What in the world could make Jesus so mad that he turns over tables and disrupts the activities taking place in the temple? Could it be that the people had gone too far and that the business aspect was overriding the temple’s real purpose, which was worship and prayer? Or maybe it was all the junk, clutter, and noise happening with all the trading and transactions. What did Jesus see, and why didn’t anyone other than him seem bothered by what was happening? I can’t help but wonder how the fury of Jesus extends far beyond the physical cleansing of the temple. Maybe this story is more about our heart being God’s temple; so filled with clutter, junk, and noise that there’s no room to provide a sacred space for God. After all, he desires fellowship and to abide with us in that sacred space. But how might we be cluttering up that space so much that there’s no room for the things of God? Since Lent is a time for reflection, let’s ponder what we can do to clear out any clutter, noises, and distractions we may have allowed to take up space in our hearts, so we can have room for God to come and dwell within them. Then we can honestly say like the Psalmist, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.” Dr. Robin Woodberry
March 8, 2021 ~ Monday in 3rd week of Lent O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Kings 5:1–15b Psalm 42:1–7 / The Gospel: Luke 4:23-30 I chose this date, March 8, because it’s my mother’s birthday – her 81st this year, and I’ll likely be grounded for telling you! I didn’t bother to read the day’s texts first, assuming I could somehow make meaning from whatever the Lectionary threw at me. Then I read and… yep, you guessed it – Godsmacked! These texts are about yearning for healing, having faith, listening to God, longing for God, knowing God will take care of you if you just ‘Put your trust in God’ (Ps 42:7). This is my mother’s mantra! Mom and I are blessed survivors. She had breast cancer in the late 80’s and should not still be with us; her oncologist calls her his ‘miracle’. While my own recent tussle with cancer was nothing compared to hers, in 1990 I, too, was a medical miracle. Severe spontaneous abdominal peritonitis left me in a coma for 13 days and hospitalized for nearly a month; when my doctor tried to prepare mom for the worst, she ignored him and got down on her knees. Trust? Absolutely! Give thanks? Every single day! A bonus from today’s Lectionary was being reminded of the many beautiful musical settings of Psalm 42! Check out Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus www.viewpure.com/Pdv9vmGo4EE from the late 16th Century and compare it with Herbert Howells’ 20th Century Like as the Hart. www.viewpure.com/-IUtkFRDX6M If you’ve got the time, Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 www.viewpure.com/WNym6UeNcLA is monumental and lovely. Get a heart-warming taste from these Israeli High Schoolers virtual performance! www.viewpure.com/wq-YwxRBIQ8 Midge Karam
March 9, 2021 ~ Tuesday in 3rd week of Lent O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom you have given a fervent desire to pray, may, by your mighty aid, be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Song of the Three Young Men 2–4,11–20a Psalm 25:3–10 / The Gospel: Matthew 18:21–35 In the parable of the \"Unmerciful Servant\", Jesus is teaching that you set the example for how you wish to be treated. The servant was given the example for how to treat others by his master, but he did not follow it. He failed to do as his master had done for him, being a kind and understanding man. Instead, the unmerciful servant threw into debtor's prison the second servant who begged for more time to pay off his debts. He set the example for how he thought those with debt should be treated, and he was treated likewise. In this, Jesus is teaching you that if you are forgiving to others, then they and God will be forgiving towards you. Anna Barger
March 10, 2021 ~ Wednesday in 3rd week of Lent Give ear to our prayers, O Lord, and direct the way of your servants in safety under your protection, that, amid all the changes of our earthly pilgrimage, we may be guarded by your mighty aid; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Deuteronomy 4:1–2,5–9 Psalm 78:1–6 / The Gospel: Matthew 5:17–19 As I go through life, there are things that I wish I could forget. Some are painful experiences, loss, and even embarrassing moments. But in the readings for today, we see a different theme coming forth—a theme of NOT forgetting but taking time to remember. The Israelites were being directed to reflect upon the experiences they had, the miracles they witnessed, and the hand of God at work. And not just to remember but to continue to bear witness and tell others. The Psalmist described it this way, \"We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD, and the wonderful works he has done.\" There are things about this pandemic I'm sure we'd all like to forget. But how important is it for us to heed the words from today? How important is it for those who may have lost hope and are feeling alone, in despair, and unloved to know that God is in their story, too, even if they can't see Him right now? The Collect reminds us that amid all the changes of our earthly pilgrimage, we are guarded by God's mighty aid, and people need to know this truth. We all have a story to tell, and we will undoubtedly have many more as we emerge from this pandemic. May we find ways to bear witness to God, hold fast to our experiences, lessons, the grace and mercy received from Him, and the ways we were made better from these challenging times. Dr. Robin Woodberry
March 11, 2021 ~ Thursday in 3rd week of Lent Keep watch over your Church, O Lord, with your unfailing love; and, since it is grounded in human weakness and cannot maintain itself without your aid, protect it from all danger, and keep it in the way of salvation; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Jeremiah 7:23–28 Psalm 95:6–11 / The Gospel: Luke 11:14–23 My Deepest Values I have “Grandmother Remembers” books to fill out for my grandchildren. I have filled out a lot of them, like where I went to school, how Grandpa and I met, what was our wedding like and so on. But, there is one question I have pondered over the years. Yes this has been a very long term project and I am still trying to frame the answer in my mind, “What I Believe.” I think that here is the essence of the heritage I want to give my grandchildren. God says, “Obey me. Do what I say and I will be your God and you will be my people. Live the way I tell you. Do what I command so that your lives will go well.” (Jeremiah 7:23 The Message) Of course the 1st Commandment says it in other words. And the two greatest commandments, to love God and our neighbors, is a summation of the law. I have, at various times, studied the Ten Commandments. One of my favorite books, TEN Living the Ten Commandments by J. John, ponders the meaning of each of the Ten. To think that if my grandchildren embrace these commands their lives will go well is a great heritage for me to leave them with. I also need to daily live these myself. I don’t believe I can get myself perfect before I die, but I am going to pray God will give me the right words and help me live them out, too. Maybe this year I can finish the books. Sue Addison King
March 12, 2021 ~ Friday in 3rd week of Lent Grant us, O Lord our Strength, a true love of your holy Name; so that, trusting in your grace, we may fear no earthly evil, nor fix our hearts on earthly goods, but may rejoice in your full salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Hosea 14:1–9 Psalm 81:8–14 / The Gospel: Mark 12:28–34 In a recent Old Testament lesson we heard the Ten Commandments recited. They were a part of the Law by which the people of God were to live in order to be faithful. In the lesson from Hosea it is clear that people struggled to live faithfully. The Law contained so many rules, so many shall and shall nots. The one thing I have always appreciated about God was God’s willingness to look at things, recognize that some change was needed, and move on to something new. That something new was a covenant in which the law would be written in the heart. One’s relationship with God would no longer be determined by some external code of regulations, but by what was inside one. For Jesus what was written on the heart and defined one’s relationship with both God and other human beings was love. In the Prayer Book’s Rite I there is this: Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. For the people of God how we respond to God and treat one another really isn’t determined by some set of rules or regulations but by how much we care about them, how much we love them. Allan Belton
March 13, 2021 ~ Saturday in 3rd week of Lent Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Hosea 6:1–6 Psalm 51:15–20 / The Gospel: Luke 18:9–14 Today’s readings have a common theme. They tell us the manner in which God wants us to repent for our sins. Hosea expresses God’s concern about the people of Israel and Judah and how their demonstration of penitence in the form of burnt offerings or sacrifices is not acceptable. God desires our steadfast love and the importance of integrity of life under His covenant over mere rituals. The reading from Psalms expresses God’s desire for man to recognize the need for penitence as the necessary offering to Him. In Luke’s reading, we see the distinction between the prayers of the self- righteous Pharisee and those of the humble tax collector. I sometimes squirm a bit when reading passages about the sinful tax collectors. Since my occupation can be somewhat related to that of a tax collector, I find this passage reassuring. No matter your walk of life, repentance is all about how we approach God and how we perceive ourselves as imperfect human beings. When we reach out to God and ask Him to be merciful and pardon our sins, we shall be exalted. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He doesn’t need to hear a litany of our good works. We still have a long way to go to be as righteous as God would want us to be. Ann Kirk
March 14, 2021 ~ Fourth Sunday in Lent 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. Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 / The Gospel: John 3:14-21 It is interesting to see how tradition has held fast in the Church even during Lent. Traditionally this Sunday is called \"Laetare Sunday\", derived from the opening words of the Latin Mass, “Rejoice (Laetare) Jerusalem” (Is 66:10). The focus on this Sunday is certainly different than the rest of the Lenten Season. Tradition uses this Sunday to encourage those who have come through four weeks of Lent in fasting and prayers. Laetare Sunday promotes a festive break amid the highly penitential season of Lent. The lessons today remind us of God’s goodness and constant acts of love toward us even when we are not deserving of them. Because of God's love, we are continually being moved from the darkness in our life to the light of God, who is the Risen Christ. Certainly, that is to be celebrated. So in the words of the Psalmist, \"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endures for ever.\" Dr. Robin Woodberry
March 15, 2021 ~ Monday in 4th week of Lent O Lord our God, in your holy Sacraments you have given us a foretaste of the good things of your kingdom: Direct us, we pray, in the way that leads to eternal life, that we may come to appear before you in that place of light where you dwell for ever with your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 65:17–25 Psalm 30:1–6,11–13 / The Gospel: John 4:43–54 “The Ides of March”, notoriously known as a “bad luck” day just happens also to be my Birthday so I do not pay too much attention to that darker notion. However, last year it was near the beginning of the Pandemic shutdown. It was then that we entered the process of reducing our lifestyle and canceling one thing after another. Not much fun. But, in one of those early scary, gloomy weeks we were unexpectedly blessed. As the dining rooms here were shut and all dinner orders were delivered, one night there came the surprise inclusion of this little brown paper heart in our dinner bag. This little anonymous gift has gladdened us all these months and continues to do so today as it is mounted centrally on the fridge and we see it daily. The faithful witness of one young server has enlivened our faith as it touched us deeply during these months since its’ message of hope first appeared. Fast forward to today, a year later: we are among those who have already gotten the COVID vaccine and we know it’s on the way to those of you who are younger. Our little world is enlarging, dire fears of the too often fatal illness are disappearing, visits with family and friends and planned activities look possible once again. And don’t forget: Spring is on the way! Thus, I rejoice with the psalmist, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness, that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to thee forever.” Gretchen Green
March 16, 2021 ~ Tuesday in 4th week of Lent O God, with you is the well of life, and in your light we see light: Quench our thirst with living water, and flood our darkened minds with heavenly light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Ezekiel 47:1–9, 12 Psalm 46:1-8 / The Gospel: John 5:1-18 What a very present psalm for this year! I have felt like the earth has moved, the mountains have toppled, and everything on earth has “tremble at its tumult.” The psalmist in referencing Jerusalem makes clear the imperfections of the island home we call Earth. Psalm 46 struck Martin Luther to write his most famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, with such references as “our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.” I find this year has been especially flooded with “mortal ills.” With everything that is going wrong in the psalmists depiction, he still has the strength and courage to remember that the Lord of hosts is with us. God is ever present, helping us along the journey. These dreams of the celestial city make me dream for that celestial city after the pandemic is over. Maybe, even, post pandemic life will feel like the new Jerusalem? I am left with assurance from verse 3 of Ein feste Burg: \"And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us; we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph us; the price of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for Lo! His doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.\" Mario Buchanan
March 17, 2021 ~ Wednesday in 4th week of Lent O Lord our God, you sustained your ancient people in the wilderness with bread from heaven: Feed now your pilgrim flock with the food that endures to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 49:8–15 Psalm 145:8–19 / The Gospel: John 5:19-29 “I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people.” (Isaiah 49:8) The passage from Isaiah assigned for today was written towards the end of the Babylonian Exile (586-536 BCE). The Hebrew people had been exiled from the Promised Land for fifty years, and the Promised Land itself had been burned and pillaged by the Babylonians. The prophet reminds the people that God has done two profound things for them. First, God has kept them, and the passage enumerates the many ways God has acted with compassion and comfort. But God has also given the Hebrew people as a covenant to all people. This is stated as a done deed. God has given the Hebrew people to the nations to be the compassion and comfort of God for humankind. We find ourselves in what feels like a very long Lenten wilderness; one we entered last Lent as Covid-19 began its grip on the world. In the midst of this wilderness, God has kept us. Can we enumerate the ways? And in the midst of this wilderness, God has given us to the world to be God’s abiding care and concern for humankind. That is a done deed. How do we show the world that God has not forgotten humankind in this long Lenten wilderness? The Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed
March 18, 2021 ~ Thursday in 4th week of Lent Almighty and most merciful God, drive from us all weakness of body, mind, and spirit; that, being restored to wholeness, we may with free hearts become what you intend us to be and accomplish what you want us to do; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Exodus 32:7–14 Psalm 106:6–7, 19–23 / The Gospel: John 5:30–47 Today’s readings focus on the Israelite’s worship of the golden calf. The psalmist refers to it as “an image of a bull that eats grass.” While this seems almost comical today, we can find all sorts of things that stand between us and God. Power, privilege and wealth, for example, have been elevated to positions such that they are often esteemed more than doing what is just and right. I find myself reflecting on the kind of leadership that emerged when Moses was with God on Mt. Horeb. It seems to have been one that deferred to the insecurities of fearful people – people who were untethered and without the fortitude of trust and patience. Jesus points out that the Israelites didn’t believe Moses despite all that God had done through him. He says in John 5:43 “I have come in my Father’s name and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.” We don’t need to look far to find present day examples. In our current age, are we mature enough to discern what is right, good and just in ourselves and in our leaders? Anger is destructive. Moses stood in the breach and appealed to God’s forgiveness and understanding. Can we, as a community of faith, stand in the breach now and be witnesses to the love of God in our own hearts? Linda Irving
March 19, 2021 ~ St. Joseph Day O God, you have given us the Good News of your abounding love in your Son Jesus Christ: So fill our hearts with thankfulness that we may rejoice to proclaim the good tidings we have received; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Samuel 7:4,8-16; Romans 4:13-18 Psalm 89:1-29 / The Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 Calvin Harvey
March 20, 2021 ~ Saturday in 4th week of Lent Mercifully hear our prayers, O Lord, and spare all those who confess their sins to you; that those whose consciences are accused by sin may by your merciful pardon be absolved; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Jeremiah 11:18–20 Psalm 7:6–11 / The Gospel: John 7:37–52 Where are you from? Does it matter? It mattered to the chief priests. “Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee.” Details matter, but so does love, so does righteousness. In our gospel today, the temple police were drawn to Jesus’s message. They opened their hearts to the Spirit and to the message of Jesus. The chief priests’ hearts were closed by their minds. The Messiah was to hail from the city of David. I imagine they laughed, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee.” The Psalmist today asks to be judged according to their own righteousness “for you test the mind and heart, O righteous God.” We must open our hearts first, and allow the Spirit to enter, and not fight our own minds. “God is my shield and defense; he is the savior of the true in heart.” The chief priests were certainly tested in both mind and heart, but they used failed logic as their defense, instead of opening their hearts to the Spirit. We know that Jesus was of both Bethlehem (Judea) & Nazareth (Galilee). Do we have to know this to accept Jesus in our hearts? Can we accept the message, as the temple police, without knowledge that the prophesy had truly been fulfilled? Would Jesus have still been the Messiah if he were not of both Judea & Galilee? Marcie Harvey
March 21, 2021 ~ Fifth Sunday in Lent 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. Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:5-10 Psalm 51:1-13 or 119:9-16 / The Gospel: John 12:20-33 John 12:20-33 ~ I ordered heirloom tomato seeds In January, frustrated by last year’s fruitless search for young plants of two varieties I love. I’ve not tried to grow plants from seed since fourth grade. The stakes were pretty low back then. Now, I have an investment to honor, even if the seeds, which recently arrived, look lifeless. Jesus said a grain of wheat has to die before it can bring forth fruit. Otherwise it is just a single grain, solitary, as too many of us have been during this past year. As my allotted threescore and ten years draw closer, I observe how much effort can be spent in just keeping the body going, and I wonder how much it matters if I do so. In Jesus’ teaching, hating my life (by which I think he meant not prioritizing me above everything and everyone else) means eternal life, which is so not what the ads on television for a variety of medical options suggest. We are in a pandemic season; Lent came to us last year and remained. We have given up so much and scarcely need the reminder that “You are dust and to dust you shall return.” It has never felt more true. But out of our dustiness, our sense even at times of deadness, new life can and will come. Judy A. Johnson
March 22, 2021 ~ Monday in 5th week of Lent Be gracious to your people, we entreat you, O Lord, that they, repenting day by day of the things that displease you, may be more and more filled with love of you and of your commandments; and, being supported by your grace in this life, may come to the full enjoyment of eternal life in your everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Susanna [1-9,15-29,34-40],41-62 Psalm 23 / The Gospel: John 8:12-20 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) The world is in the midst of darkness, searching for the light of health, economic stability, peaceful government, and manageable climate. As we look for the light, Jesus’s words remind us that light is interwoven with truth and judgment. “My testimony is true, for I know where I came from.” And, “My judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.” When we as a church and as a nation walk together toward the light, may we be guided by truth in all things. When we decide on the best path forward, may we be guided by God’s own judgment. In John’s passage just before this one, he confronts the Pharisees who would stone the adulterous woman: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8: 7) Let us pledge attention to truth and compassion in judgment, while searching together for the light. Eileen Gaston
March 23, 2021 ~ Tuesday in 5th week of Lent Almighty God, through the incarnate Word you have caused us to be born anew of an imperishable and eternal seed: Look with compassion upon those who are being prepared for Holy Baptism, and grant that they may be built as living stones into a spiritual temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Numbers 21:4–9 Psalm 102:15–22 / The Gospel: John 8:21–30 Numbers 21:4-9 ~ “Will you resist evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?” As I read this somewhat bizarre story in Numbers, where God sends poisonous serpents among the complaining Hebrews to bite them, I was reminded of this question from our baptismal covenant. When the Hebrew people see the consequences of their behavior in the wilderness, they recognize that they have sinned and they ask Moses to pray to God to take the serpents away. Moses prays for them, and God delivers the people from the consequences of their unfaithfulness with the instructions to make a poisonous serpent and lift it up on a pole so that those who are bitten can look at the serpent and live. Whatever questions this story raises about a God who would kill off God’s disobedient children with a poisonous serpent, the story does remind us that our failure to resist evil has consequences, but that when we recognize our evil behavior and repent, and return to God asking for God’s help, God is always ready to take us back. Just as God transformed the poisonous serpent that was an agent of death into an agent of life, God can transform even our worst selves into something new when we repent and return. The Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed
March 24, 2021 ~ Wednesday in 5th week of Lent O God, you have called us to be your children, and have promised that those who suffer with Christ will be heirs with him of your glory: Arm us with such trust in him that we may ask no rest from his demands and have no fear in his service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Daniel 3:14–20,24–28 Canticle [2] or 13 / The Gospel: John 8:31–42 I no longer shy away from the number 13. It all started the day when, about 10 years ago, I sat for a bar examination, assigned to cubicle number 13 for the entire 6 hour test, fortunately with a successful outcome. So when one of the three readings for today included Canticle 13, the number did not give me pause. Instead, the question arose as to how to connect the dots between Canticle 13 and todays’ two messages from scripture. The first passage covers the very familiar story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego emerging unscathed from the heat of the furnace. Recall that they were thrown into the furnace because they refused to recognize a local god and instead praised their God. The second passage from John recounts a conversation between Jesus and Jewish scholars. The scholars challenged Jesus’ authority and origin. Jesus instructed them “If God were your Father, you would love me.” Finally it dawned on me: we are – as it says in Canticle 13 - to give all glory and praise to God. The two stories bear this out: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego first gave all the glory to God regardless of the dire consequences they faced. Jesus did not back down either – a recurring response that eventually took Him to the cross. Should I not therefore, practice this same act - to acknowledge and praise God in each and every circumstance before me? Today – will I remember Canticle 13’s instructions even when faced with bumps in the road, hiccups or insurmountable challenges and, even maybe when the number 13 shows up again? Fran Sweeney
March 25, 2021 ~ Thursday in 5th week of Lent ~ The Annunciation Almighty God our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 7:10-14; Hebrews 10:4-10 Psalm 45 or 40:5-11 or Canticle 15 (or 3) / The Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Imagine Mary, probably a teenager, suddenly encountering an angel who says: 1) The Lord is with you 2) You will conceive and bear a son 3) He will be great ... the Son of the Most High 4) God will give him David’s throne 5) He will reign over Jacob’s house forever, with a never-ending kingdom That’s a lot to comprehend at once! Mary, young woman that she is, wisely focuses on #2, the son-bearing part. “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And more proclamations come from the angel: 6) The Holy Spirit will come upon you 7) The power of the Most High will overshadow you 8) The child will be called holy - the Son of God At this point, the angel wisely passes along some local news, miraculous, but provable, that aged Elizabeth is also expecting. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Perhaps that final family miracle is the point at which the young girl is convinced. The Most High, David, Jacob, the Holy Spirit, the Son of God ... those metaphysical, celestial images are a lot to take in at once. But Cousin Elizabeth ... pregnant? Fantastic! And so Mary accepts. “Let it be to me according to your word.” May we follow her example. Eileen Gaston
March 26, 2021 ~ Friday in 5th week of Lent O Lord, you relieve our necessity out of the abundance of your great riches: Grant that we may accept with joy the salvation you bestow, and manifest it to all the world by the quality of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Jeremiah 20:7–13 Psalm 18:1–7 / The Gospel: John 10:31–42 Jane Harrison
March 27, 2021 ~ Saturday in 5th week of Lent O Lord, in your goodness you bestow abundant graces on your elect: Look with favor, we entreat you, upon those who in these Lenten days are being prepared for Holy Baptism, and grant them the help of your protection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Ezekiel 37:21–28 Psalm 85:1–7 / The Gospel: John 11:45–53 “Thus says the Lord God: I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from every quarter, and bring them to their own land.” Ezekiel 37:21 As we approach Palm Sunday, Ezekiel’s words of gathering remind me of the gathering of people as Jesus made his way into Jerusalem. The people gathered to welcome the one they believed would fulfill the promise we hear in this passage from Ezekie - the one through whom God would make a covenant of peace and make a dwelling place among them. We gather on Zoom and long to gather in person. While we long to see each other, to sing together, to hug and eat cake together, Ezekiel reminds us that, wherever we gather, we do so primarily to experience the One who has made a home with humankind, the one we call Jesus or Emmanuel “God with us.” God gathers us because together we have a better chance of living as the people God calls us to be. God gathers us because together we do more to be God’s peace in the world than we could ever do apart. But above all, online or in-person, God gathers us to be with us. The Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed
March 28, 2021 ~ Palm Sunday Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11 Psalm 31:9-16 / The Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, [40-47] Maria Metoki
March 29, 2021 ~ Monday in Holy Week Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 42:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-15 Psalm 36:5-11 / The Gospel: John 12:1-11 Martha and Mary were amazed to see Jesus bring Lazarus back to life. Everyone who witnessed this miracle knew that Jesus was the Savior. I feel happy to know that if I believe in Jesus and believe that he is the Son of God, I will never die but will live happily in heaven forever. After listening to these Bible verses, I know that God is always with me. Cian Trainor
March 30, 2021 ~ Tuesday in Holy Week O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Psalm 71:1-14 / The Gospel: John 12:20-36 Avie Coombs
March 31, 2021 ~ Wednesday in Holy Week Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 50:4-9a; Hebrews 12:1-3 Psalm 70 / The Gospel: John 13:21-32 Gennie Coombs
April 1, 2021 ~ Maundy Thursday Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Psalm 116:1, 10-17 / The Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35 This is like the bread and olives meal that Linda Irving makes for Maundy Thursday. That is my favorite church dinner. Peter Metoki
April 2, 2021 ~ Good Friday Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Psalm 22 / The Gospel: John 18:1-19:42 Ella Harvey
April 3, 2021 ~ Holy Saturday O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24; 1 Peter 4:1-8 Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16 / The Gospel: Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42 After reading the verses from Job, I realized how grateful he felt for God’s power. In the beginning of the book, Job is a kind, wealthy man with a big, happy family and a strong faith in God. But then, Satan tells God that Job only appreciates God because of all that he has been given, and God allows Satan to punish Job. Satan takes away Job’s wealth and family, and leaves him with excruciating mental and physical pain. But Job never loses his faith in God. At the end of the book, God realizes how truly grateful Job is, and gives him twice the wealth and family he had to start out with. God gave Job his fortune back because he knew that Job truly believed in him. Centuries later, Jesus died upon the cross to save us from our sins, and to guarantee admittance into heaven for all who truly believe. We celebrate Holy Saturday because of hope and belief; hope that Jesus will arise tomorrow, and belief in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. William Trainor
April 4, 2021 ~ Easter Sunday O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2,14-24 / The Gospel: John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8 Jones Foster
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