Lent Readings

[Tuo]

In previous years I've posted a prayer a day for Lent. This year I thought I'd try to do the same thing but with Bible readings. I'll be using the Anglican lectionary for this year, but will choose just one passage, and may only post part of it - just to keep the length manageable. Come and join in (add thoughts, comments, prayers, whatever) if you'd like to.

Day 1: 10th February - Psalm 103, 8-14

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
He will not always accuse us,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our sins from us.
As a father cares for his children,
so does the Lord care for those who fear him.
For he himself knows whereof we are made;
he remembers that we are but dust.


'Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return'. The psalmist reminds us of our weakness and frailty, but only in order to remind us that God's love for us is always greater than our ability to mess up; that just as a parent loves her or his children - not despite their vulnerability but because of it - God loves us and forgives our mistakes, and that whenever the fragile edifices of our lives and our selves seem to be about to crumble to nothingness, God can rebuild us and make us whole again. May this Lent be a time of rebuilding. And, in refashioning ourselves from the dust, may we also try to find ways to support those around us as they too work to reshape themselves anew.

[EdithSimcox]

Well, that's a pretty tall order for sure. To ponder and pray over.

In the meantime, what the 'unclean lips' thing all about? Does it mean eating non-kosher?

[Tuo]

Edith - Isaiah thinks it's a tall order too, which is kind of reassuring. (Kind of...)

I think that the 'unclean lips' thing is more about speech than eating. Isaiah 3 says: 'Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence'. So here I think it's about sinful behaviour or general unworthiness... It's synecdoche. But the idea of this being symbolised by the lips is appropriate because of what happens next. The way that God acts to put this right is by giving Isaiah the power to speak - with his lips - in order to convey God's message.

[Tuo]

20th February: Matthew 5, 43-48

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


Another challenge to us, then. Be perfect. Perhaps the biggest challenge yet. How can we, any of us, be perfect? It's a ridiculous thing to ask us to be or to do.

I learned from my French teacher that the word 'perfect' (as in the perfect tense) has its roots in the idea of completeness, and this helps me when I read this passage. God sends his blessings on the good and the bad, the holy and the unholy, on Jews and Gentiles equally. Given this - given the perfection (as in 'completeness') of God's gifts to us (and of his ultimate gift of himself, for all human beings, always) - his requirement that we not distinguish between neighbour and stranger, friend and enemy, seems less unreasonable, if no less challenging.

God, help me to love those around me. Help us all to love one another.

[Dutchoma]

My mother gave up on Christianity when she came on that text: if God was so unreasonable as to ask perfection of her, she didn't want to know. It is such a tall order and I think we would all be unreasonable if we didn't struggle with it.
There is a text somewhere later on in the NT that says God will not abandon what He has started, He will complete it because of the work that Jesus has already completed. I think that is our only hope to perfection: be on the road with Jesus.

[Dutchoma]

The text is Philippians 1:6: He Who began a good work in me will bring it to completions, but it also comes in Psalm 138:8, He will not abandon the works of His hands.
We may well marvel at the 'work of His hands' if He can make someone like me 'perfect'.

[Tuo]

Oh Oma - how sad that your mum felt so discouraged by those words. Thank you for quoting the passages that provide reassurance.

21st February: Luke 13, 31-35

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’


This passage also helps us to think about the previous one. Jesus says that on the third day he will finish his work. But if we look at the King James Version, for example, it says '... the third day I shall be perfected'. I don't really read Greek, but I can see that in the NT Greek the word that is used here comes from the same root as 'telos' (perhaps, come to think of it, that is the root), which means a goal or an aim. The Latin has the idea of something being 'consummated'. The point of this meander through language is to help me think about how this passage is linked to the two (at least, maybe more) that I've posted in the last couple of days. What does it mean for Jesus to bring his work on earth to its final fulfillment? How can we fulfil God's purpose for us? If we can work towards that goal, then maybe we can also work towards 'perfection' in the sense of wholeness, completion. I love Oma's idea of being 'on the road with Jesus'. This passage reminds us that Jesus is always with us, trying - for all our failure to listen and to follow - to keep us under his wings.

[Dutchoma]

And that same verb comes THREE times in John 19:28:
'After that, when Jesus knew that everything was completed, He said in order that the scripture might be fulfilled ....... "It is finished.

[Tuo]

22nd February: John 15, 1-8

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.


We are, all of us, flawed, imperfect individuals; we are patchy: sometimes good, sometimes bad. In the same way, a vine can put out branches laden with fruit and others which bear no fruit at all. But a good grower knows how to prune the vine, shaping it, giving it strength, encouraging it, to maximise its yield. This image provides a different view of the way in which God demands, but also creates, our perfection. We grow towards perfection, completeness, fulfilment precisely because we are shaped in that way, enabled to do so, by God. Even more than this, though, we are able to grow towards God because we have our roots in Christ. We can only grow towards God and bear fruit for him because we are intimately linked to Jesus, God-made-human, who shares our imperfect humanity, but who is also intimately and deeply rooted in God, who nourishes him - and by extension nourishes us.

[EdithSimcox]

I am still sufficiently 'new' to be a bit taken aback sometimes by my own faith (!) but I completely felt that sense of nourishment today.

[Dutchoma]

Good to hear Edith

[TheMemSaab]

I have been quietly lurking and reading these. Thank you Tuo for posting each day. Could have written Edith's post myself, also feeling very nourished.

[Tuo]

Oh Edith, what a lovely thing to read. And you too MemSaab - thank you for un-lurking to say that. I am touched.

And slightly embarrassed to discover that the passage I posted for yesterday was actually one of the passages for today. Hmm... must pay closer attention to what day of the week it is! Ah well, this is another one of today's.

23rd February: Psalm 34, 1-9

I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall ever be in my mouth.
My soul shall glory in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look upon him and be radiant
and your faces shall not be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and the Lord heard me
and saved me from all my troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him
and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is gracious;
blessed is the one who trusts in him.
Fear the Lord, all you his holy ones,
for those who fear him lack nothing.


'I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth'. I love the Psalmist's enthusiasm here - that sense of overflowing, uncontainable, got-to-shout-it-from-the-rooftops praise. God is good. God is so good. And do I shout my praise of God from the rooftops? Do i bless the Lord at all times? Well, not so much, no. But the Psalmist makes this easier for us by making this a joint enterprise. Magnify the Lord with me; let's exalt his name together. Let's seek him (together) and he'll answer us; let's cry out to him (together) in the knowledge that he will hear us; let's trust him and be blessed (together). The knowledge that I'm not the only one reading this Psalm and feeling, maybe, both inspired and a bit overwhelmed by what it's asking me to do gives me hope. I don't know how many people, if any, will read this. But I will try to remember to praise God in the knowledge that others are doing so with me; in the hope that maybe a couple of the other people who'll read this will join in. O magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together...

[Dutchoma]

There is such power in praising the Lord together, even two or three makes all the difference.
Welcome TheMemSaab.

[TheMemSaab]

Thank you Tuo and Dutchoma. Doing my best to join you in praise this morning despite feeling low today. Thank you for your lovely words and thoughts Tuo, they are one of the things I am giving thanks for today

[Dutchoma]

Do you want to share MemSaab? Here or on the prayer thread which is also a very safe thread for support.

[TheMemSaab]

Just the general busyness of life getting to me. In Oct I got paid employment for first time since having the kids (8 years!) and also took on chair role of school PTA. At Christmas dh's father passed away so dh having tough time with that and helping his mum through probate etc. Also trying to fit a new bathroom in our house before building work starts in a month or so. Most weeks we are doing ok but dd was poorly off school yesterday meaning I used my usual day off to be home with her. Dh forgot it was ds's parents evening yesterday and we missed it cos he was late home and I couldn't drag poorly dd there with me. This morning I scraped my car parking. Feel like I'm juggling too many balls and starting to drop some! Sorry for ramble. Think I need to make sure I put time with God first to keep me going, but tempting to forget it in the rush of life. These lent readings are helping tho.

[Dutchoma]

There are just so many pressures in modern life, with two parents working and kids to look after.
Taking a few moments to take in the bigger picture, to hand control over to God can help, so long as it does not push you into 'guilty' mode if it just hasn't happened for a day or two.

[Tuo]

Don't beat yourself up, Mem. You have a lot to deal with, and sometimes it's inevitable that the precarious structures we put in place to keep everything on track will be disrupted by something completely unpredictable and start to totter. It's OK; it's normal. Tomorrow, next week, next month... things will get better. It's really nice to have you on this thread.


24th February: Hebrews 2, 16-18

For it is clear that he [Jesus] did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.


Just a snippet tonight, but one to remember when we feel that we are being tested, or when things feel as if they are going wrong for us, or when it's all just too much. Jesus did not come to help angels, which is just as well, because I'm no angel. He came, on the contrary, to help us, his sisters. By becoming like us, by being one of us, he came to know the human condition intimately - literally to inhabit it, to know its frailty through his own suffering. And having worn our human form, in all its weakness and brokenness and vulnerability, he understands that we mess up, lose faith, lose patience, speak rashly, act less-than-wisely. The distance between our fragility and his strength, our sinfulness and his holiness, does not make him any the less our brother. Perhaps even, in his care for us in our human condition, it makes him even more our brother.

[Tuo]

25th February: Jeremiah 17, 7-8

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.


This is such a reassuring image. We are like trees planted by water, nourished and fed by it, no matter what the external conditions may be. God does not promise us that our lives will be easy; there will be times of drought, times when we feel burned and dried up by the heat of the things that happen to us, and which drain us of life and energy and hope. He does not promise us that things will be easy. But he does promise us that he will provide us with what we need to get through difficult times, that we will be nourished and given the strength to grow. And we will be able to bear fruit because God feeds us with that same 'living water' that Jesus offered to the Samaritan woman at the well. Let us not be anxious, therefore. (Let us try, at least, not to be anxious!) Rather let us trust in the Lord.

[QofF]

Have been following this thread and am delurking to say this is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It has helped me so much in the past and wanted to say thank you Tuo for this thread and for posting this so it was the first thing I read today. Reading it always slows me down and anchors me as well as giving me such a feeling of comfort, joy and a bigger picture perspective.

[Tuo]

Nice to see you QoF. I'm glad I posted a passage that was special to you yesterday. Thank you for delurking to tell me.

26th February: Psalm 40, 1-6

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me out of the roaring pit,
out of the mire and clay;
he set my feet upon a rock and made my footing sure.
He has put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God;
many shall see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
who does not turn to the proud that follow a lie.
Great are the wonders you have done, O Lord my God.
How great your designs for us!
There is none that can be compared with you.
If I were to proclaim them and tell of them
they would be more than I am able to express.


Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord! The message of this psalm is the same as that of yesterday's passage, and the psalm emphasises God's loving care for us, as Jeremiah did in yesterday's passage. But it also seemed appropriate for Lent because of the image of the mire and the clay, which seems to me to represent those things that hold us back from God and make it hard to journey confidently towards him and all that he represents. We walk through life as if across a deeply ploughed field in wet weather - every step an effort that sucks us back into our inertia - and our goal can seem ever further away and harder to reach. But if we are patient, and if we trust in God, he will raise us up, away from the things that hold us back, so that it's as if we step out of the ploughed field onto a firm paved path, so easy to follow that we feel light as we step onto it, our journey suddenly easy. Lent, then, can be about making an extra effort to pull oneself out of the muddy field and onto the dry path, a refocusing of attention on the goal of the journey, a renewing of the trust that will enable that next step (perhaps the one that will make all the difference) to be taken.

[Tuo]

27th February: Matthew 11, 28-30

‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Posting this earlier than usual today, as I'm out tonight. It needs no comment really, does it? But I have been feeling weary just recently (for no other reason than general busy-ness, over-committed, slightly frazzled) and today I really needed to read this. I hope that these verses bring a sense of release and lightening for others too.

[Tuo]

28th February: Luke 13, 6-9

[Tuo]

28th February: Luke 13, 6-9

Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’


Sorry for the message above. I hit 'enter' instead of 'paste'...

Remember Jeremiah's image of the tree planted by water? Well, here we have a more mundane version of the same image. God tends to us like a committed gardener, not put off by the fact that we so often stubbornly refuse to bear fruit. He waters us, and fertilizes us (more prosaically, he digs us a nice pit and fills it with manure...!) and keeps hoping that we will grow and give forth fruit. He knows that without this nurture we are unlikely to bear fruit... and he gives it to us willingly.

The three years when the fig tree fails to flourish also correspond to the three years of Jesus' ministry, culminating with his being, literally, cut down. But they also, perhaps, remind us of his three days in the tomb, from which he emerges not cut down, but risen and victorious. (Is it a coincidence that Mary Magdalene mistakes the risen Christ for a gardener in John's gospel?)

This is clearly a complex image, but I take from it an image of love and nurturing, of hope, of the potential for growth and flourishing after a time of difficulty, and of understanding of our weaknesses and inadequacies in bearing fruit for God.

[SpaceOpera]

I love the complexity of Christianity (after 25 years as am atheist!)