Lenten Devotion 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, March 15

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34 1 Corinthians 9:1-15 Mark 6:30-46

 

"I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes." Genesis 46:4 (NIV)

 

As I read this verse I think of three things: a journey into the unknown, a reunion, and a promise.

 

Have you ever taken a journey into an unknown area? It can be frightening. In November of 1961 my husband received orders to relocate from Texas to Alaska. We decided to take a leave, go to Pennsylvania, see family and drive to Alaska. My husband, two children, ages 4 and 5, and I, in our Ford Falcon, began a journey into the unknown. Across the USA, into western Canada, up the Alcan Highway to Alaska in January of 1962, we drove between storms. And in the ten days it took us to reach Anchorage, we encountered some snow plows and a few cars, an oil tanker and the weekly "Safeway" grocery truck. Most traffic was going in the opposite direction. Many days we could not even tune in any radio stations. One day we heard a station from Del Rio, Texas. It was music to our ears as we felt small and alone in the white world of the northland both exciting and scary. A new adventure in our lives, but we knew God was with us.

 

In verse 4 we have Joseph, asking his father and family to leave their homeland and come to the unknown. We are on a journey into the unknown-life. Today we are in a shorter one-Lent-a time for reflection, introspection, and prayer. But God, as with Joseph, tells us not to be worried. "I will go down with you."

 

Joseph and his father had a reunion in Egypt, and we had a reunion in Alaska with friends. How joyous it was. This Easter after our Lenten journey, we will have a reunion with our Lord and Savior and the promise for eternal life. He is with us always.

 

The promise given in verse 4 was for Joseph's hand to close his father's eyes. God tells us He will be with us throughout life's journey and will bring us back again when it is finished. Home to Him, a reunion with our Lord and Savior, where He will close our eyes.

 

Be not afraid as He is with us no matter where we go.

 

 

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

 

 

 

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