Lent Day 22: April 2

This morning I thank our guest blogger, my husband John, who shares his reflections on the blessing of the Christian community.

Lenten Reflection for Day 22

Date: Saturday April 2, 2011

Author: John Harris

Bible Passage:

1 Thessalonians 4:9 (NRSV)

⁹ Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

Reflection:

The gift of Christian community has been a blessing for Pat and myself. It has been particularly important because of our many job-related moves and the fact that modern secular society has precluded even bring up the topic of religion in a public setting. “God talk” to acquaintances and friends often gets you labeled as “one of those.” Thus, Sunday worship and Bible studies become an important part of our Christian witness as we receive the word and sacrament—the sustenance that we need to go out into that secular world and love the sometimes unlovable.

As Paul states in this morning’s Biblical wisdom, he does not have to write to us about loving our brothers and sisters. Through God’s word and honoring the Sabbath, our joining together in Christian community, we have been taught to love our neighbor. And as the Good Samaritan teaches us, we definitely know who our neighbors are.

In this Lenten season, partake of the Christian community. Go to Holden evening prayer on Wednesday and receive the word and sacrament on Sunday. If this is already part of your Christian community, rejoice in it. If not, think about the power of worshipping with fellow Christians as we continue our journey to that Cross on the hill.

Prayer:

Jesus, we thank you for the saving grace of Word and Sacrament. We ask your blessings on Christian communities everywhere. Strengthen these communities as you nurture them to go out into the world and to be examples of Christian discipleship. In your name we pray, Amen.