Lenten Meditations & Reflections 2007

Luke 23:33-49 • Mark and Miriam Matzeder

“What kind of God would allow … the mounting community violence in Kansas City? … the civilian bloodbath in Iraq? … 9/11?” We’ve all heard agnostics pose this question. Perhaps we’ve voiced it ourselves. For whatever reason we presume we know how God should act. From the moment Jesus assumed the Messianic mantel, we disciples have molded “what it means to be Christ” by our preconceptions.

Today’s passage echoes that attitude. Three times observers opine how a Christ should act. “If you are Messiah, prove it. Act. Save yourself.” We repeat the Satan’s desert challenge: “If you are the son of God do (what I would do in a similar situation).”

Jesus’ restraint in the face of such trial recalls the psalmist’s admonition: “Be still … and know that I am God.”

John 12:1-11 • Whitney Rice

Shortly after the untimely death of his wife and child, 17th century Anglican Jeremy Taylor wept with desperate hope, “O Lord, let thy grace sanctify my sorrow.” Consider Mary and Jesus in this passage from John. Jesus tells Judas that Mary has anointed him for burial by wiping his feet with her hair and her gift of perfume. In this deeply moving physical act they are saying goodbye to one another before Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, surely a moment of powerful emotion between these two devoted friends. Grief has its place in Lent—grief for those we have lost, grief for our sins, grief for the pain of the world, and grief for our God who faces losing a beloved Son. And yet when we bring our whole selves to the feet of Jesus in open love and trust, our tears become an anointing of his feet and we feel our deep holiness as beloved children of God. That holiness cannot be touched by our circumstances, no matter how dark, and we know our Lenten prayer will be answered: “O Lord, let thy grace sanctify my sorrow.”

Isaiah 49:1-6

At times I think nobody knows who I really am. The real “me” that is inside me. Sometimes I think I do not truly know who I am. There is someone who does however. Before I was even born, God knew me, called me by name. “You are my child,” God said. I receive courage, strength and comfort every day in the knowledge that whatever I do, whoever I am, God knows me and loves me. Even if I do not know who I am at times, I can always know whose I am. That is powerful! The power of that truth can be yours also because before you were born, God knew you, loved you and still does.

John 13:21-35

How many times have we been that one—the one who betrays our Lord? How sad we are when we fail, when our flaws and our sins make us the Judas du jour. Sometimes we get down on ourselves, believing we are no good, believing we will never serve our God in truth and faithfulness. The message of the Resurrection is clear: we are called to new life, and Christ gives us the power to live that new life. That power is in Christ’s words “I have loved you.” In forgiveness, empowering grace and in his commandment: “love one another.”

John 13:1-15

Love and servanthood are partners. For that which we truly love, we truly serve. Jesus showed his great love for his own in the world by becoming their servant. His example reaches through the centuries to us. Do we serve our job, our income, our success, our appearance? Do we serve our families, our church, our friends, our environment, our brothers and sisters in Christ? Think today of what you truly serve with your time, talent and resources. Are you satisfied?

John 18:1-40  • The Right Rev. Barry Howe

Following their dialogue about the identity of Jesus, Pontius Pilate asks Jesus, “What is truth?” Pilate’s question is often read or portrayed as a sneering remark. But I suspect it was a sincere request for a definitive answer. We all want definitive answers when it comes to the mysteries of our lives.

 In this dialogue, Jesus has given the definitive answer to this question about truth. He is truth. His existence, his teaching, his ministry, his interactions with friends and foes, his death, and his resurrection all express truth—the truth that God is present with us and building relationship with us. We need not look elsewhere to find definitive truth. This is why we claim him as Our Lord and Savior. This is why he died for us on the cross—that we might know him as the one who saves us—saves us from our own inadequacies and weaknesses; saves us from losing our relationship with God.

Matthew 27:57-66 • The Very Rev. Terry White

Pilate said “Go, make the tomb as secure as you can,” so they made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

For the good of society, do not let the people think that Jesus has been raised. The chaos, the unrest it will cause. How ungodly.

Whenever the chains of bondage are broken, some rejoice while others fear, for when the stones before the tombs of prejudice and decay are rolled away, life is forever changed. The Resurrection destroys death in all its forms.

Go make the tomb as secure as you can ... but it won’t matter. God’s love always triumphs. Thanks be to God.