Saturday, March 22, 2014

 

Lenten Reflections
Diocese of Newark


Thank you for joining us in prayer and reflection during this season of Lent. We will travel through daily scripture, reflection and prayer.  Additional people have been joining us each day. Please feel free to forward these reflections to others. We invite you to explore the other resources for the season found at the bottom of the page as we continue the journey together.
  

Scripture

 

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon." The man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph's house. Now the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house, and they said, "It is because of the money, replaced in our sacks the first time, that we have been brought in, so that he may have an opportunity to fall upon us, to make slaves of us and take our donkeys." So they went up to the steward of Joseph's house and spoke with him at the entrance to the house.  They said, "Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food;  and when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each one's money in the top of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it back with us. Moreover we have brought down with us additional money to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks."  He replied, "Rest assured, do not be afraid; your God and the God of your father must have put treasure in your sacks for you; I received your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.  When the steward[a] had brought the men into Joseph's house, and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder,  they made the present ready for Joseph's coming at noon, for they had heard that they would dine there. 

 

When Joseph came home, they brought him the present that they had carried into the house, and bowed to the ground before him.  He inquired about their welfare, and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?"  They said, "Your servant our father is well; he is still alive." And they bowed their heads and did obeisance.  Then he looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, "Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!"  With that, Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for his brother, and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there.  Then he washed his face and came out; and controlling himself he said, "Serve the meal."  They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.  When they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, the men looked at one another in amazement.

Portions were taken to them from Joseph's table, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.

 

 Genesis 43:16-34


Reflection

 

Sometimes we try to convince ourselves that we need to have more money to be generous or that we need new clothes to attend church or that we need a beautiful voice to sing the goodness of the Lord. Maybe we think we do. But in all sincerity, we do not. Generosity is so much more than just financial, and celebrating the Creator is so much more than perfection. Sometimes generosity is going up to a person that is struggling to give them a hug and offer them your shoulder to rest their head on. As for celebrating the Creator, it is all in the heart as well. Sing your heart out with your not so smooth voice and water plants in your garden to feed the plants and be kind to God's creatures. Pay attention to your neighbors, your co workers, your friends and attend to them as you will attend to God. That is all we need to be generous and celebrate God and life!

 

Prayer   

 

Even though life can be overwhelming,

 may the spirit of God always be beside me

 to keep my eyes open on where I can help others

and celebrate God, the Creator. Amen.

 


You are invited to click these links and explore more resources:

 

 

 

Praying Lent - Resources for Lent - from Creighton University (A Jesuit Catholic University)

 

Holy Week and Good Friday Resources - from The Episcopal Church

 

The Meaning of Lent - from Vibrant Faith @ Home   

         

Prayers and Liturgies for Lent - from Faith and Worship   

 

Lenten Mediations and Bulletin Inserts (English & Spanish) from Episcopal Relief & Development

 

Lenten Giving Calendar - from Jenifer Gamber

 

Love Life - from the Brothers of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE)

 

Lent Madness 

 

Resources for Lent 2014 - from Bread for the World 

 

Lent 2014-Hunger:A Matter of the Heart - from the Upper Susquehanna Synod/Evangelical Lutheran Church

 

Living the Easter Mystery - 5 session Ecumenical Lenten Program from the South Australian Council of Churches

 

Lent and Easter Ideas to Use at Home - from Barnabas in Churches (UK)

 

Labyrinth for Lent - from Barnabas in Churches (UK)

 

Lent and Easter Plays for Children - from Skiturgies  

 

Pro/Claim - Engaging the Baptismal Covenant - from the Diocese of California

 

 

Join Our Mailing List