Friday, April 2, 2010~ Thirty-ninth Day of Lent

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

Crucifixion is barbaric. It kills by asphyxiation, slowly breaking down the ability to breathe. What passion to pray so, especially with a loud voice. Surely Jesus could feel he had but one more gasp left. He spent it in prayer. Stripped and hanging by nails through his hands and feet, brutalized, scorned and taunted, this man was totally spent. Yet even at such a devastating end, Jesus was spiritually strong and faithful to the one true God, to a degree beyond our capacity to comprehend. May our faith be so like a rock.

~ Jim Olive

Let us pray

God, grant us faith this day, that we might stand strong. Amen.

Thursday, April 1, 2010 ~ Thirty-eighth Day of Lent

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. “Luke 22:19

At the Last Supper, the bread and the wine become signs of Jesus' own mission: his body broken and given, for them; his blood poured out in a new covenant, for them. But the disciples do not yet fully comprehend what is happening. At this most solemn moment the disciples begin to argue about which of them is the greatest. Jesus cuts through their clumsy arrogance by reaffirming the spirit of his own ministry: "I am among you as the one who serves." The death of Jesus was the final act of service, the ultimate gift of life on behalf of others. This spirit is to characterize all expressions of authority and power in the Christian community, then and now.

~ Woody Berry

Let us pray

God, help us receive your gift to us with deepest humility and overflowing thankfulness. Amen.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010 ~ Thirty-seventh Day of Lent

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer’” Luke 19:45

There’s a Celtic prayer that begins like this:

"Where is my home?
Is it the house where I live,
The garden where I sit in summer,
The country where I roam,
Or the church where I worship?
The place I call home
Is where my heart is at rest.
And my heart is most at rest
When it turns to God in prayer.
So wherever I pray is home."

~ Woody Berry

Let us pray

Loving God, our hearts seek our home in you. Amen.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 ~ Thirty-sixth Day of Lent

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!”Luke 19:41-42

Jesus “wept”— it is so much more powerful than crying. It comes from deep down, a complex set of feelings. We tend to identify the emotions as sadness, anger, disappointment, frustration, and fear. But His weeping really shows the completeness of God’s love and compassion. He’s yearning for us to find peace in ourselves, our community, and our world and to share His love. How do we recognize the things that make for peace? Everyone has to figure out their path. Maybe it’s starting to work on your inner peace. Maybe it is reaching out to someone you wouldn't usually reach out to. Maybe it’s finding a way to get involved.

~ Mary Jo Dendy

Let us pray

Dear God, help us this day to join with Jesus, that we might work for peace in our lives, our relationships, our world. Amen.

Monday, March 29 ~ Thirty-fifth Day of Lent

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” Luke 19:39-40

When Jesus came down from the Mount of Olives, His disciples were shouting for joy because of everything that they had witnessed.Jesus points out that even if no one said a word, that the rocks would scream for Him instead.This beautiful imagery of nature busting at the seams to praise Jesus serves as a wonderful reminder this Lent season that we too should be screaming for joy.It may be hard to see God all of the time, but remember that all of creation is joining in a beautiful chorus, and Jesus wants us to be the lead singers.During this season, listen to the Earth, listen carefully, and you will hear a beautiful conversation between creation and Creator…one that you are always invited to join.

~ Brian Moore

Let us pray

God, we sing our hallelujahs today in harmony with your amazing Creation. Amen.

Sunday, March 28, 2010 ~ Sixth Sunday in Lent

As Jesus rode along ...the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” Luke 19:36-38

Longing for change after years of Roman occupation, the disciples want Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem to be unmistakable: it heralds a new era of joy, just as Jesus brought joy to the marginalized and oppressed through miracles. Although we still face oppression at the dawn of a new decade, we too can share joy and thanksgiving: for the many small miracles that lift up those around us and remind us of Jesus’ presence in our world.

~ Lina Trulllinger

Let us pray

Dear God, open our hearts that we might sing our praise today. Amen.

Saturday, March 27, 2010 ~ Thirty-fourth Day of Lent

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. Psalm 118:19

I walked through the ancient gates of Jerusalem, followed the steps that Jesus walked, and found myself imagining the hopes that he had: simply to give thanks to God, to join with others of faith, to live in peace. The gates were open then, are open now, and simply await our willingness to walk on in.

~ Jan Berry

Let us pray

Help us, O God, to walk the steps of faith that you open to us. Amen.