Lenten Devotion 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, March 14

Genesis 45:16-28 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 6:13-29

 

These three scriptures gave me a great deal of trouble. After several attempts at meditation nothing came to me; ready to throw down the pen, I tried one more time. What I was failing to see was a faint thread woven into all three scriptures. It is love that binds us together, not only in community but with strangers.

 

Joseph was able to forgive his brothers and allow God's plan to take place. When the process of forgiveness takes place ... peace ... takes over allowing love to fulfill us. Paul's letter to the Corinthians talks about those that believe it was okay to eat the meat left over from sacrifices to the pagan idols and those that did not. This reminded me of society today and how we have a tendency to separate into various groups and try to encourage others to do what we believe is right, in so doing encouraging others to do what they believe is wrong. When love binds us together, our concern for others should take precedence over our individual desires. We should care for harmony and reconciliation to be able to see Christ in the face of those we see every day.

 

Herod is a good example of allowing his love for his daughter to encourage the beheading of John the Baptist. Herod was more concerned with regards to the promise he made to his daughter in front of his guest than in what he believed. How many times as individuals do we allow our head and not our heart and soul to direct our actions?

 

 

Love saw a guilt of sin, and sought a basis of pardon.

Love saw the defilement of sin, and sought a way of cleansing.

Love saw the depravity of sin, and sought a means of restoration.

Love saw the condemnation of sin, and sought a method of justification.

Love saw the death of sin, and sought a way of life.

Love sought---Love found! Author Unknown

 

 

These Lenten devotionals and meditations are offered to the glory of God and in

humility from members of The Episcopal Community, women who are participating in

The Episcopal Community study and clergy who support the Community. The authors

for each day's contribution come from varied backgrounds, levels of education,

occupations and journeys of faith, but all are bound by a common belief in the depth

and breadth of God's grace and love for us.

 

Prayers were offered for those who wrote these devotions and are being offered for all

who read the scriptures and meditations with the hope that God will touch hearts and

cause blessings to be received throughout this Lenten season and beyond. Each day's

scripture readings follow the Daily Office of The Book of Common Prayer, 1979 Edition.

This booklet would not be possible without the support of The Episcopal Community's

Circle of Leadership or Patti Joy Posan and her contact skills. Thanks also go to John

Ogden for converting the format of the booklet to make the daily devotionals available

on The Episcopal Community's website. The heart of this undertaking, however, is with

those who committed to write the meditations. A complete list of those participating is

found at the back of the booklet.*

 

*A glossary of Lenten terms is also found at the back of the booklet.

www.theepiscopalcommunity.org