Thursday, April 10, 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

 

Now if the ministry of death, chiselled in letters on stone tablets,came in glory so that the people of Israel could not gaze at Moses' face because of the glory of his face, a glory now set aside, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit come in glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory! Indeed, what once had glory has lost its glory because of the greater glory; for if what was set aside came through glory, much more has the permanent come in glory!

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that* was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:7-18 


 Reflection 
 
  

God really loves us.  The Old Covenant was glorious, the Law was etched in stone, created by the Finger of God, and it led to death when violated. The old way brought condemnation and no one could live up to those perfect standards of the Ten Commandments.

But God and His Grace allowed the Holy Spirit to give us life by believing in Jesus Christ.  This new way is much more glorious because it is gives us confidence, boldness and freedom in Jesus Christ.  Jesus removed the veil that covered our minds, hearts and understanding so we can see the truth by his death and resurrection.

Glory to God, the veil is removed so we can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.  The Spirit of the Lord is making us more and more into the glorious image of Christ.  Thanks be to God!

Prayer
  

Thank you, Holy Spirit for giving me life in Jesus Christ.

 Thank you, Holy Spirit for more glory, confidence, boldness and freedom in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Holy Spirit for removing the veil that covers my heart, mind and understanding by believing in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Holy Spirit for reflecting in us, the Glory of the Lord and making us more into the glorious image of Jesus Christ.  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 Meditations 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

 

 

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