Lent Day 28: March 24

Lenten Reflection for Day 28

Date: March 24, 2012

Author: Susan Van Abs

Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:31–32 (NRSV)

³¹ Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, ³² and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Reflection: Starting with Ephesians, Chapter 4, Paul tells us how to live our lives through Christ. If Paul were alive today, he might be seen as a motivational speaker, showing us how to be successful in an often hostile world. Ephesians might be a book destined for the New York Times best seller list. The difference between Paul and a motivational speaker is that he is showing us how we can share the gift of Christ to others in our everyday actions. Ephesians was written a long time ago, and it is amazing how applicable it is for us today.

It is easy to hold on to our bitterness and anger. It is also easy to use our anger towards hurting someone or telling the world how we have been wronged. Paul’s message to us is simple – forgive one another “as God in Christ has forgiven you.” While the message is simple, it is not simple to do. It is much easier to hold on to our anger, to let it simmer, sometimes to the point of being harmful to ourselves and others.

Ongoing anger has physiological effects such as high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, and stroke. Why do we put ourselves through such turmoil and torment when it is unnecessary? We need to let go of the anger and not only think kind thoughts towards one another, but forgive one another and love one another. God does not abandon us, even when we are angry with him and ask “why me?” God loves us no matter what and we need to extend that love to our neighbors. His son was the ultimate gift to us. When we are angry towards others, do a 180 degree turn and do something kind for them or think good thoughts of them.

Prayer: Dear God, Help us to turn our thoughts towards you when we are angry and cannot see the bigger picture of the world we are in. Help us to remember your forgiveness and grace and help us to see Christ in everyone we meet. Amen

Lent Day 17: March 12

Lenten Reflection for Day 17

Date: Monday March 12

Author: Howard Shaffer

Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:25–26 (NRSV)

²⁵ So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Reflection:

Saint Paul was gifted by the Holy Spirit to give us many practical ideas to help us through life everyday.

Falsehood is really anything we say, or don’t say, or do or don’t do that misleads others. It violates Christ’s command to treat others as we want them to treat us. Falsehood is also a way of expressing the original sin of Adam and Eve. They broke God’s command, then tried to blame someone else – God and the snake. Falsehood destroys community. It is difficult to admit to God, yourself, your family and neighbors that you have made a mistake, but it is absolutely necessary. Isn’t failure to admit mistakes really a falsehood?

Anger is a normal emotion that arises from fear, but also from a sense of being wronged. We may be wronged directly, or feel that our family or “community” (church, school, country, etc.) have been wronged. The Bible often speaks of God’s anger – with us! Yet He forgives us! We pray for forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer, and say it is as we forgive others. Jesus emphasized this by saying we MUST forgive others if we expect to be forgiven. Anger is very corrosive, and to remain angry eats away at you. We are human and we will become angry. Saint Paul gives us the time limit for bearing this self-imposed burden. It is the end of the day. Get rid of your anger by forgiving whoever or what ever angered you, and end the day in peace. Be reminded that God has forgiven you through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Prayer:

Dear God, guide me to be truthful in everything, in every way. Help me to contain my anger at others and myself, and to forgive them and myself by the end of this day. Forgive me for my anger. Thank you for forgiving me.

Lent Day 23: April 4

This morning we welcome guest blogger Dan Affeldt who helps us to see how reconciliation and forgiveness are possible when we are focused on Christ.

Lenten Reflection for Day 23

Date: Monday April 4, 2011

Author: Dan Affeldt

Bible Passage:

1 Peter 3:8–9 (NRSV)

⁸ Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. ⁹ Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing.

Reflection:

This passage from Peter captures for me the essence of how we are offered the opportunity to experience the profound joy that comes from God’s love made manifest in the sacrifice of Jesus. Forgiveness that is ours from Christ is also ours to share with others if we keep our hearts focused on Christ and our actions guided by that focus. Anger, hurt, resentment, alienation, fear, spitefulness, envy, and greed inevitably bring pain, separation, loneliness and even despair. And this befalls us if we are the target of or we are the source of the evil or abuse.

But surely joy can be ours if we, through Christ, but offer forgiveness, seek forgiveness, and are reconciled both with God and those who harm us or we have harmed in any way that might separate us from the other, from our own faith, and thus from God.

They will know we are Christians by our love.

Prayer:

Dear, dear Lord, help me this day and every day stay close to you in all that I do and say. Let the Grace you paid so dearly for, but offer us so freely, if we but accept it be my strength and continuing blessing. Keep fresh in my being how the criminal crucified next to you had only turn to you and asked to be remembered in your Kingdom for your Grace to bring him peace and even joy in the midst of such fear. Amen

Devotion for the Friday of the Second Week in Advent

Theme for the week: love

Devotion for the friday of the second Week in Advent (Day 13)

Reading: Luke 7:36–50 (NRSV)

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. ³⁷ And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. ³⁸ She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” ⁴¹ “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

REFLECTION:

In this Advent time, it may be helpful to reflect on the two-way love shown in this passage from Luke. The unnamed woman in this text knows that she is a sinner. We don’t know what her sin is, although many Bible readers throughout the years have assumed that it is prostitution. Whatever the nature of her sin, it is so obvious and visible that she has been labeled a “sinner” by people in the community. Jesus, as has been the case on so many other occasions, is drawn toward those who are the outcasts and rejects of society. Jesus shows love for those, whom others would consider unlovable and unforgivable.

This woman knows how she is regarded. She undoubtedly knows that her presence creates disgust in anyone whose home she enters. Despite this, she is drawn to the love and acceptance that Jesus offers. Jesus models the forgiving life for us. The unnamed woman, in turn, shows an extreme level of love and devotion for Jesus. This love is free flowing.

Jesus’ love and forgiveness are freely available to you, also, regardless of what you have done. How do you respond to this love and forgiveness? Jesus, is no longer here on earth to receive your return love and acceptance. However, Jesus has told us that whatever we do for the “least of them”, we do for him. Who is the “least of them” for you? Who are you regarding with disdain, discomfort or disgust? Is there someone who has done something that you consider to be unforgivable? In this Advent season, as you look to the arrival of the one who is LOVE, is there someone against whom you are holding anger, disgust or revulsion, or with whom you would like to “get even”?

Considering the love of Christ which flows uninterrupted to your life, is there someone that Christ is calling you to love, accept, and forgive? Picture the love of Christ flowing through you directly to this person, who is the object of your anger, scorn or hate. Picture those negative emotions that you hold toward that person dissolving. Picture the acceptance and reconciliation that could accompany your celebration of Christ’s arrival in this Advent and Christmas season.

PRAYER:

Pray that love of God in Christ Jesus and Jesus’ acceptance of you might soften your heart. Pray that God’s unfailing love for you might transform any anger, disgust, or hate you are feeling toward another person into love and acceptance. Pray that God’s peace might flow into all of your relationships. Amen

New Starts: Reflections on John 21:1-19

So Peter and the other disciples finally left the locked room.

They had been there for a some time after Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus visited at least twice, coming through closed, locked doors to spread his special peace and the good news of his rising from the dead.

The disciples finally get enough of Jesus' peace and leave the safety of the locked room. But they still haven't quite gotten Jesus' message of "As God has sent me, so I send you." As John 21 opens, it is clear that Peter has had enough of the drama, the stress, the grief and the shock. He's going back to what he does best--fishing. He invites a few of the other disciples along on a night-time fishing trip--perhaps so they can start going back to their old lives--their lives before Jesus showed up. This may seem a familiar reaction for many of us. When we are stressed, worried or upset, it feels good to go do something that is comfortable for us. Let me do something in a familiar pattern of life so that I can block out the thoughts of all the bad stuff.

But Jesus isn't going to give up on these disciples this easily. He is not going to let them drift comfortably back into their old lives. He has invested too much energy in these guys getting them ready to truly be apostles--ones who are sent out.

So when they try to go fishing, no fish come. Sounds almost like the night Peter and the sons of Zebedee met Jesus the first time. And just as they are coming in discouraged with their ability to return to their old life, there is this man on the beach telling them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. Imagine their reaction--Yeah, sure, whatever! But they do it and there are fish in abundance. Jesus made known to them in the catching of the fish.

Over breakfast, Jesus then releases Peter from the tyranny of his denial of Jesus at Jesus' trial. Three times Jesus asks Peter in various ways: do you love me? Three times, just like the three time denial. Three times Peter answers, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. " Three times Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. In these three question and answer sessions, Jesus breaks the grasp that Peter's denial has on his psyche. Peter is made new and equipped to care for Jesus' growing flock.

Peter is freed and sent--a new start. Now he is no longer just a disciple--a learner. Peter is ready to be an apostle. He is ready to be sent out, equipped for action.

Holy Communion--For the Forgiveness of Sins--Part 2

Week 6 Lenten Devotions

Lent Day 35: Monday in Holy Week, March 29

Theme for the Week: Holy Communion—Bread for the Journey

Passage for the Day: 1 Corinthians 11:27

²⁷ Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.

Reflection:

On this Monday in Holy Week, I ponder, what does it mean to eat the bread or drink the cup in an “unworthy manner”? Does it mean that I have to have been on good behavior before I can come to the Table? Does it mean sinners aren’t welcome at the Table?

I don’t believe that only those who are sin-free (as if any of us could be sin-free), can come to the Table. Otherwise, why would Matthew have recorded Jesus as saying that eating the bread and drinking the cup are for forgiveness of sins. We wouldn’t need forgiveness if we came to the Table sin-free. I come to the Table as a sinner, asking for forgiveness.

I think coming to the Table in an “unworthy manner” is to come in a way that rejects or belittles the gift that Jesus has given us. I would imagine that if I would come to the Table thinking this is a “bunch of baloney” or something worse, that would be coming in an “unworthy manner”. I would also imagine that denying someone else a place at the Table because of rules that I have made up or judgments that I have made about his or her character would also be “unworthy”. I like to think of coming to the Table as Luther did, as “one beggar telling another where to get bread.”

Prayer Themes:

Thank God for the forgiveness of sins that comes from “coming to the Table”. Pray that I might come in a way that is humble, respectful and in remembrance of Jesus’ gift. Pray that in this Holy Week, I might be moved by Jesus’ gift of himself. Pray for those who struggle with feeling of unworthiness. Pray for those who reject God’s wonderful gift of Holy Communion.

Holy Communion--For the Forgiveness of Sins

Week 6 Lenten Devotions

Lent Day 32: Thursday March 25

Theme for the Week: Holy Communion—Bread for the Journey

Passage for the Day: Matthew 26:26-28

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; ²⁸ for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Reflection:

As we near the end of Lent and approach Holy Week, this passage takes on a special significance. Matthew records this event as occurring during the last meal that Jesus shares with his disciples before being condemned to die on the cross. The remembrance of this event, along with Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet are at the heart of the celebration of the Maundy Thursday service in my faith tradition. Jesus shares a meal—the simple unleavened bread and wine of a Passover celebration with the disciples. In the course of blessing the meal, Jesus tells the disciples that the bread and wine are his body and blood. The wine is the blood of the covenant that God makes with God’s people, promising forgiveness of sins.

Matthew uses many of the same words to record this scene, as does Mark. Matthew likely had access to Mark’s Gospel when he was writing his own. However, unlike Mark, Matthew places an emphasis on the forgiveness of sins which is promised in Jesus’ blood.

Each time we gather for Holy Communion, Christ is with us, in and under the bread and wine. In Christ’s presence, forgiveness of sins is granted. When we gather, we remember Christ and the covenant that God made with Jesus’ blood. When we gather and celebrate Holy Communion together, God forgives our sins.

Prayer Themes:

Thank God for the forgiveness of sins given to us in Jesus’ name. Thank God for the opportunities to gather and celebrate Holy Communion together. Pray that I might remember what Jesus has sacrificed for me. Pray for those who do not yet know the joy of participating in Holy Communion. Pray for those who are preparing for to receive Communion for the first time.

Baptized--We are Forgiven

Week 5 Lenten Devotions

Lent Day 28: Saturday March 20

Theme for the Week: Holy Baptism--Baptized We Live

Passage for the Day: Acts 2:38

³⁸ Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection:

Be baptized in the name of Christ and your sins will be forgiven. What a gift! In addition to all the other benefits of baptism—becoming a child of God and becoming a disciple, as well as a part of the Christian community, my sins will be forgiven also. And it that is not enough, I will also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit-the advocate and counselor. What a gift and blessing baptism is. Thanks be to God!

Prayer Themes:

Thank God for the forgiveness of sins that is given to me in baptism. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray that others will hear the call to be baptized in the name of Christ.

Lent Day 21 Forgive us our Sins

Week 4 Lenten Devotions

Lent Day 21: Friday March 12

Theme for the Week: The Lord’s Prayer as a Way to Ask for Help

Passage for the Day: Matthew 6:12-14

¹² And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

¹³ And do not bring us to the time of trial,

but rescue us from the evil one.

¹⁴ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Reflection:

This particular part of Matthew’s version of the Lord’s prayer has a triple emphasis on our being able to forgive others. Why does Matthew place so much more importance on this very difficult topic? Matthew’s Gospel has a big emphasis on righteousness, and it is hard to be right with God when I am holding onto all sorts of grudges and anger toward people around me. Let’s face it, forgiving others is not particularly easy. It is not even easy to forgive little things—slights such as a friend forgetting your birthday, or not inviting you to a party, or neglecting to return a phone call. Sometimes it seems easier just to get mad and stay mad. If it is not easy to forgive little things, forgiving the big things seems to take super-human or divine help. How do you forgive someone who has truly wounded you? How do you forgive someone who has physically abused you or ruined your reputation by spreading false stories about you? The world of social networking provides many positive possibilities to connect with friends, but it also provides many temptations to spread hurt and shame. How do you forgive someone when you have been totally hurt? I think it takes a lot of prayer and help from God to forgive some big stuff. I have to ask God to soften my heart and help me realize that carrying around the burden of grudges, anger or hatred is not helping me. Forgiving someone really benefits me, because it releases me from all the ugliness. It may also lead the way to reconciliation, but that may not always happen. The forgiveness part only involves me resolving to put away all the negativity. The reconciliation involves both me and the person whom I think has harmed me.

Prayer Themes: Thank God for those who are willing to forgive me for the things that I have done wrong. Lord, help me today to put away my anger and ill will toward someone whom I think has wronged me. Lord release me from the burden of holding a grudge. Lord, help me attempts at reconciliation with someone from whom I am alienated. Pray for those who have difficulty forgiving.

Reflections on Peace and Forgiveness--Lent Day 6

Reflection for Lent Day 6 (Tuesday February 23)

Theme for the Week: Confession, Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Passage for the Day: John 20:21-23

²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” ²² When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Reflection:

In the church that I serve, we read this passage from the Gospel of John during our Ash Wednesday Service as we began our Lenten Journey last week. These are powerful words in several ways.

First, Jesus tells his disciples of every time and place that his own peace is poured into them. This is the peace that will sustain them as they go about their work. Jesus is sending his original disciples out into the world in the same way that God sent him. But these words are not intended just for Jesus’ historic disciples in the First Century. Jesus calls to all of his followers, in any age, to continue his work in the world. Secondly, Jesus gives to all who continue his work, the gift of the Holy Spirit to strengthen them and lead them. Have you ever felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? How does the Spirit guide and lead you? Have you ever been called on to forgive someone’s sins? Have you felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit in granting this forgiveness?

Prayer Themes: Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and lead you. Pray for the peace of Christ in your life and the lives of those around you. Pray for those who request forgiveness of sins.

Forgiveness and Release from Dispair--Lent Day 3

Lent Day 3: February 19

Theme for the Week: Confession, Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Passage for the Day:

Psalm 25:17-18

¹⁷Relieve the troubles of my heart,

and bring me out of my distress.

¹⁸Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins.

Reflection:

The Book of Psalms is considered to be the prayer book of the Bible. Jesus, himself used psalms as prayers. The writer of this psalm seems to be entrapped in distress to the point that it is troubling the heart. The psalmist prays that God will free him or her from all the things are troubling and distressing. After praying for release, the psalmist also prays for forgiveness of sins.

Sometimes when we are in a bad situation, we are tempted to further sin. Being in trouble can cause us to despair, which can alienate us from God or the people around us. Other times we can think—I am already in “so deep” that I might as well keep on doing bad stuff. This can lead to a sense that you cannot get out of the hole into which you have fallen.

How are trouble and sin interrelated in your life? Does being in distress create further opportunities for sin in your life? How does being freed from the power of sin change your life? Does knowing that Christ frees you from sin allow for reconciliation in your life or a new start?

Prayer Themes for the Day:

Confess to God anything that is troubling you. Pray for release for anything that is bothering or distressing you. Pray for God’s forgiveness for things that are separating you from God, and pray that you may be able to forgive anyone with whom you are estranged.

Reconciliation in Christ--Lent Day 2

Reflection for Lent Day 2 (Thursday February 18):

Theme for the Week: Confession, Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Passage for the Day: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-21

We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Reflection:

In the church that I serve, we read from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians as part of our Ash Wednesday worship service last evening. We heard these words about Christ’s work of reconciling us to God before we confessed our sins collectively. How good it was to be reminded, in advance of our confession, that Christ has taken on our wrongdoings and failures so that they don’t stand in the way of our relationship to God.

Knowing in advance that I will be forgiven because of what Christ has done for me makes it much easier for me to admit that there are lots of things that I have done wrong and things that I should have done—the things that I just either didn’t want to do or just didn’t get around to doing.

As I begin my Lenten journey, the knowledge that Christ has released me from the power of my sins and reconciles me to God frees me to concentrate on how I might do things differently. I get to pray about how God might help me to find ways to help my neighbor rather than worrying about whether or not I have been saved. God has assured me that in Christ, I am freed.

Prayer Themes for the Day:

Thank God for Christ’s work of reconciling you to God. Pray that God will find ways to use you as God’s hands in the world.