Lenten Reflection - April 5, 2015 Easter

Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.
Luke 20:36

This passage is a response from Jesus to the Sadducees, who believed that there was no resurrection from the dead and that there were no angels or spirits. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead and in angels and spirits.

The Sadducees declared they could not believe in the resurrection because there was no information about it and no proof of it, in the Books of the law, which Moses was held to have written.

So far no Rabbi had been able to meet them on that ground, but Jesus did. He pointed out that Moses himself had heard God say, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. (Exodus 3:1-6) and that it was impossible that God should be the God of the dead. Therefore Abraham and Isaac and Jacob are still alive in the life to come.

For us, Jesus is living proof that the dead "cannot die anymore". We are "children of the resurrection". Alleluia!

Bill Ticknor+

Lenten Reflection - April 4, 2015 Holy Saturday

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24

Through love, humility and duty to God the Father, Christ accepted the unacceptable – first to be burdened with ugly, hateful sin, then to be punished, and then to die for those sins.

It must have been so painful for one so pure, with a soul unsullied and a mind focused on love and goodness, to experience the evil thoughts we all have, let alone imagine the most evil deeds that permeate mankind. Christ, like an innocent lamb, not only had to take on the sins of the wolfish heart, but he also was punished as if those sins were, indeed his own.

As a light from heaven, Christ submitted to being sullied and darkened. Prayerfully, but dutifully he drank our cup of fleshly poison. But, while his flesh was broken, the light of God was not. With his rising, the pure light shone as a beacon – calling each of us to slip from our sin, and rise in love. With his sacrifice, the sinful bonds that tied each of us to evil, and to hell, was carried away, and the door to live everlasting was opened.

It is up to us, however – to walk through that gate, into life everlasting. What a curiosity that this is often a very difficult task for us mortals to accomplish.

Joanne Howl

Lenten Reflection - April 3, 2015 Good Friday

There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.
John 19:18

These are probably the most sorrowful words to be encountered in the Bible. The mental picture they paint is ingrained in every Christian, and probably most people in the entire world. The agony of crucifixion is an unbearable weight that most of us avoid thinking about. But every year we are reminded of a man without sin, betrayed by a friend, condemned by the mob, brutally beaten and ultimately nailed to a cross. There's nothing good about this. Every aspect of this screams "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Today, for as long as we can bear it, let us carry the weight of that cross by remembering that Christ died for us, willingly, unselfishly, and in love with those same people who condemned him. Then let us consider the other two hanging on either side. Today let them be me and you. Let us wholly embrace the love being poured out for us by inwardly accepting the words taught us in Galations 2:19-20, I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. Today, more than any other day, let us live for Christ in thought, word and deed. Let us love our neighbor. Let us open our hearts and ask God to forgive us. Let us be made new.

Earl Buffaloe

Lenten Reflection - April 2, 2015 Maundy Thursday

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:20

"... in him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell..."

Through the human person of Jesus, God was able to show us God's love, to show us how to love. In I John 4:19, we read "We love because he first loved us." Now, what can that mean? James Mackey, in "Jesus, the Man and the Myth" writes that we humans need to "first feel the grace of some human presence, feel forgiven, accepted, served [before we can] then feel all life and existence as grace, and then feel inspired to be gracious to others. [Most of us] can only sense ourselves and our world valued and cherished by God when we feel valued and cherished by others." So it is through Jesus' love for us that we can come to know, appreciate, be "reconciled to" the immense love God has for us. Jesus was willing to die on the cross for this love. In Jesus' death, we can know God suffers. We can know God walks with us in our suffering, weeps with us in our times of trouble. In Jesus' death we can know God understands what we go through. And in Jesus' resurrection, God tells us that God is always with us, that life with God begins right now, and is infinite and never-ending. Amen to that!

Patti Sachs

Lenten Reflection - April 1, 2015

"... looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2

The biggest message I draw from the story of Jesus and his passion is that God wants us to love one another in the way that Jesus loved us: with total selflessness. Jesus demonstrated his selfless love for people by dying for them in a brutal and painful way, while enduring the shame that those same people held him in. We are to look to Jesus as an example of how to love one another, and also find in him the comfort that our God loves us more than we can imagine.

This passage made me ask this of myself: "When is the last time I disregarded my own interests and did something purely for the sake of someone else?" I wasn't entirely pleased when I found the answer. When I step back I realize my life is full of transactions; trading one thing for another. But God tells us that sometimes we need to get over our own wants and give without taking.

Bryan Howl

Lenten Reflection - March 31, 2015

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
1 Corinthians 1:17

Although some choose to give many gifts to the church, every Christian has a particular calling that Christ has chosen for him or her. In Paul's case, he knows that Christ has called him to the ministry of preaching over any tasks, such as baptism, that he may have performed for the church in its infancy. Once accepting his call.to be a preacher, he adapts that call to his particular rhetorical style, using gifts that Christ has specifically provided for him.

Do we always hear the call? Or, if we are aware of what we have been called to do, do we follow through? Do we question whether our gifts are sufficient for the task? When is the right time to begin that ministry?

For many years, I felt that St. James' must minister to the spiritual needs of ill or homebound parishioners, and that this was not the exclusive job of the clergy. Discerning in EfM that this was my calling, I contacted those in charge of providing food to the sick and offered to also bring communion. No response. So, I waited.

Finally, Deacon Bob McCoy started the Eucharistic visitor ministry. I volunteered and eventually was asked to lead the program, using my talents and those of a cadre of volunteers. I can honestly say that I've never had a better or more satisfying job. And I know, at least for now, that this is the job that Christ wants me to perform.

May each of us hear his or her call and be empowered to follow through.

Charlie Wolf

Lenten Reflection - March 30, 2015

Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
John 19:19

All four Gospels agree that the official charges against Jesus were his supposed claim to be "King of the Jews" – which made him a potential threat. There are many ironies here.

First, "king" is a title Jesus refused, probably because it was so open to misunderstanding.
Second, from our Christian perspective, the charge is correct. We honor "Christ the King," even through he is not the kind of King Pilate had in mind.
Third, they are executing Jesus to put an end to his supposed "kingship" and Jesus becomes a king precisely through his death and resurrection.
Fourth, two other criminals accompanied Jesus on the cross - his "royal attendants" of the king. Jesus was use to this kind of company. He came for the "lowlifes"….which is to say that he came for us sinners.

~Now that's my kind of king!

Lent is a time of conversion. From Ash Wednesday when ashes are placed on my forehead with the words, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel". It ends Easter Day when we reach into the baptismal water and renew our "YES" to Gods invitation to "come, follow me". Take a moral inventory of your life and celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent. May God who begins this good work in me, sustain me along the way and bring it to completion.

Patty Coleman

Lenten Reflection - March 29, 2015 Palm Sunday

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness, and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8

On this day, and in the week ahead, we remember the events that lead to the death of Jesus of Nazareth, and look forward to the resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

What is not explicitly highlighted during this week, but is implicit in the events themselves, is the very essence of Jesus' nature, and what helps us make sense of the events of his Passion. The Christ Hymn gives us an explicit understanding of the essence and nature of Jesus and the "why" of his actions.

When I read this hymn, the awesomeness of God is so clear; the self-emptying (kenosis) of God, so that God could be in human form to feel our pain and suffering. The humility of Jesus, to make the choice to die on the wood of a cross, in order that we might know God's unbounded love for us, when he could have saved himself and revealed his power. Christ gives us the example of perfect obedience to God's will.

In the verses immediately preceding the Christ Hymn, Paul exhorts us to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." To be a community "in Christ" we must strive to be Christ-like, and there is no clearer statement of how to do this than this hymn.

The Reverend Dawn A. Campbell

Lenten Reflection - March 28, 2015

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
I Corinthians 1:18

The Bible teaches us that all people sin against God; and all would be punished had God not loved us and sent His only son to die on a cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Also, if we believe in Jesus, live a life that loves Jesus and obey His commandments, we will receive eternal life.

Paul's message was the good news of Jesus Christ. Many of the Jews thought this to be foolishness because they awaited a military Messiah. Instead from Paul they received a humble carpenter who was put to death by crucifixion, a horrible death reserved for the worst offenders.

To many of the Gentiles the cross seemed illogical. That the Messiah would come as a crucified Jew seemed too absurd to be believed. However, a new philosopher would have been welcomed, especially by the Greeks.

Jews demanded signs and Greeks sought wisdom. Paul preached Christ crucified, but Jesus did not stay dead. His resurrection demonstrated His power over death. This sounds simple but many refuse to accept it. However, those who take Christ as their Savior are the wisest of all because they will live with Him forever.

Therefore, the Cross is not foolishness or weakness. Instead, it is a powerful gift from God that shows His love for His children.

Tom White

Lenten Reflection - March 27, 2015

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessings of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Galatians 3:13

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminded the early Christians that Christ has removed the curse of the Law (that is, death) through His death on the cross according to scripture. He also reminded them that God promised Abraham that his people are God's people and that Christ bestowed this blessing upon the Gentiles through his death and resurrection. He reproached them saying that they who had begun in spirit had now put their faith in self.

This and related verses in Galatians prove that we are God's people and highlight the wonderful gift Jesus brought to each of us. I never thought much about this verse before and as I reflected on it I know I am blessed by God's promise through Christ. What a gift for us all to accept Christ as our redeemer and live our faith. Many times I think I can rely on myself rather than the Spirit and can use Paul's reminder in my daily life.

John Ransom

Lenten Reflection - March 26, 2015

In the same way the chief priests also, along with scribes and elders, were mocking him saying, ‘…He trusts in God, let god deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God's son." The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.
Matthew 27:41.43

As with so many passages from the bible, it is important to read the surrounding passages to understand the meaning of an individual passage. In the proceeding passages, Matthew tells us of the crowd and their presence before Pontius Pilate, and Pilate realizing the he could not prevail against the crowd. The crowd wanted Jesus crucified and Barabbas released unto them.

In the group's mockery, the Priests, Scribes and Elders… wanted to show the gathered crowd that if Jesus ‘ claims of Himself as the worker of miracles, the Messiah –King, Son of God – were true, He would save Himself. Their thoughts may have been, if this man is God's Son, would God really abandon Jesus to die on the cross?

To truly understand an individual and their situation, we must ‘walk in their shoes.' Jesus could not forgive our sins, unless these sins were laid on Him. Our Lord carries our grief, our sorrows, and our transgressions because He was willing to die on the cross.

The Priests, Scribes and Elders felt that if Jesus could not help Himself then the crowd would see that Jesus was not the Messiah. The crowd would turn away from His teachings once He was gone.

Many times we want to ‘see ‘ and touch the miracle like the Priests, etc. wanted to see Jesus help Himself;, when in fact, we need to remember our faith and know that the miracle has occurred. In the end it really is all a matter of faith!

Cathy Stasny

Lenten Reflection - March 25, 2015

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wound you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24

The Atrium III children have said it simply and beautifully:

"He sacrificed so we were forgiven, that we would be able to live right and by his wounds, we are healed."

Brandon Dorsey, Jacob Dorsey, Caitlin Miller, Leah Perkins, Megan Perry, Ella Riddle, Beth Tyson and Alex Wolf

Lenten Reflection - March 24, 2015

In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him saying,"…He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God's son." The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.
Matthew 27:41,43

I find it is helpful to read the verses before and after the assigned scripture. There is so much to learn from it. Quite honestly, those that were considered important at that time, were superficial, judgmental of Jesus and saw him as a threat. They were afraid of him, of what he could do. They did not understand that while he could perform miracles for the people, he would only do God's will in regards to himself.

He could have saved himself as he was fully divine, yet he would take no wine as it would dull the pain he was to endure, he would not take himself down from the cross because it was he who was paying our debt, for our sins. He was crucified like a common criminal yet he states, "I am God's Son." What faith He showed to those around him on that day and to us in present time.

I, a mere human am faced with holding onto my faith each and every day. I look to Jesus to keep me strong in that faith.

Sharon McGlaughlin

Lenten Reflection - March 23, 2015

In the same way the chief priests also, along with scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him."
Matthew 27:41-42

Jealousy is a terrible emotion and universally felt by each of us at one time or another to our great discomfort. The chief priests and the scribes were not only jealous of Jesus and of his followers but were also fearful of them. "Let him come down now---‘an empty boast.'" He had already performed miraculous deeds that had not caught their attention and hence their admiration and devotion. This was not in God's plan. Would we have acted differently? I'd like to think so.

When I was in grade school there was a rather different girl in my class. She was what you might call pathetic: nothing at all attractive or appealing, I described her to my no nonsense live-at-home with us grandmother and you probably will not be surprised by the next step. I had to invite her home for lunch! I really didn't need that anyway, I did and she accepted. I didn't need that either. My classmates were amused and offered practical suggestions such as "Be sure to sterilize the dishes afterwards." I don't remember anything wonderful coming from that experience but the teacher did realize that Roselyn was the object of ridicule and the principal came in and gave us the B talk. I don't remember but I'd like to think we were all kinder afterwards. I'd also like to think I would not have mocked Jesus hanging on the cross if I'd been there.

Caroline York Chisum

Lenten Reflection - March 22, 2015 The Fifth Sunday of Lent

But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins."
Acts 5:30-31

The first thing this little passage from Acts teaches us is how dangerous it is to quote scripture out of context! How many times have we heard radio and TV preachers thunder: "The BIBLE says….." and then go on to make their point? Should obeying the law of God encourage us to not pay our taxes? How about an eye for an eye or stoning adulterers, or blaming the Jewish people for Christ's crucifixion? Taken in context, however, these verses are an inspired response by Peter to the high priest who had forbidden the apostles to preach the risen Christ to the people and had only been guilty of being anti-establishment and full of enthusiasm at having been miraculously freed from prison. Taking the passage by itself, however, does cause us to think. It justifies those who worked against Nazi and Soviet dictators and who fight the evil regimes of our own time. It may even confirm a conscientious objector who refuses to go to war. This passage shows that we have to study the WHOLE Word of God in order to realize His Will for us so that we can share the wild joy of the apostles over the risen Christ.

Michael Ryan

Lenten Reflection - March 21, 2015

... whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:38-39

In this passage Jesus is trying to say that you must give up everything, even your life, to follow Jesus. You must give up everything in your life on earth, so that you may have eternal life in heaven. If you give up your social life, personal life, etc., and focus on Jesus Christ then you shall lose life here on earth. But by giving this up you will earn something so much more valuable, eternal life with Jesus in heaven. So give up all you have, take up your cross, and die with Jesus. Die with him on earth so you may be with him in heaven.

Parker Wolf

Lenten Reflection - March 20, 2015

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27

This passage reminds me of a book I read recently called "Kisses from Katie" by Katie J. Davis. Katie is a young woman who gave up many things including the comfort of living in an upper middle-class suburb of Nashville, being with her family and friends, going to college and the love of her life for living in poverty in Uganda ministering to the sick, teaching children and feeding the poor. By the age of 22 she is the adoptive mother of 14 young girls. She felt God's voice calling her and was willing to take up her cross and surrender to Him. In her book, she discusses the difficulty of the choices she had to make and the things that she had to give up but chose to "value His plan, His calling and His love over everything else." She does not believe that everyone should drop everything and go far away from everything familiar but she does believe that every day we have a choice to either stay in our comfort zone or be willing to take a risk and do something to help someone else, put a smile on someone's face and make a difference in someone else's life.

Commitment to Christ means bearing our cross daily. It means giving up our hopes, dreams and desires, our possessions and following His plan. Only then can we be called His disciple. The reward will be certainly greater than the cost.

Cindy Carrier

Lenten Reflection - March 19, 2015

... but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are 'called',  both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:23

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he tells them that it is God himself who called them to share in the life of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. He encouraged his followers to join together and have faith in the power and wisdom of God.  That encouragement fell on 'deaf ears' to most of the Jews and Gentiles.

In todays' world, and with a better understanding of God's teachings, I have learned over time no matter the possible outcome of life's cruel or great events, putting my trust in His word is what brings peace and strength.

To give up my own control  and turn it over to God.  What a challenge - what a leap of faith!

Nancy McClunin

Lenten Reflection - March 18, 2015

A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.
Luke 23:22-23

Jesus had been brought to Pontius Pilate, the Roman-appointed governor of Judea. by the council of elders of the people, saying that Jesus had been subverting the nation.  Pilate said that he had nothing against this man.  When he found out that Jesus was a Galilean, he decided to send him to Herod who had jurisdiction over him.  Herod happened to be in Jerusalem for the Passover, and had wanted to see Jesus.  After Jesus would do no miracles for him, he had Jesus dressed in a fancy robe and sent him back to Pilate.

Pilate said he could find no wrong in him.  Therefore he wanted to have him scourged and released.  Because this was the Passover time of the year, one of the criminals to be crucified could be let go.  The crowd demanded that it not be Jesus, but a criminal known as Barabbas.

Even when Jesus had been mocked and beaten, he had the confidence that he would be set down at the right hand of God and that his triumph was sure.  He never for a moment believed that men in the end would defeat the purposes of God.

There are still those who, have come to the conclusion that Jesus does not matter.  To the Christian, so far from being of no importance, Jesus is the most important person in the universe.

Priscilla Hardesty

Lenten Reflection - March 17, 2015

For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world.
1 John 5:3-4

As the Level 2 Atrium reflected on this passage, we looked at the Bibles in our class and saw the heading on this section was "Victory Over the World". It is just after a section called, "God is Love", which reminds us about the commandment to love God and love each other.  The children felt that our passage reflects both, in that if you love God you will obey his commandments and that is done, in part, by loving each other.  You can show your love for God by doing what he tells you to do. This passage says his commandments are "not burdensome", while our translation similarly said "His commandments are not hard to follow".  We thought unfortunately that the commandment to show love and do the right thing is actually NOT always easy to do. Society makes it hard to follow God's commandments sometimes. Then after we talked about it, we said it should be easy if we choose to make it easy. We can make it easier when we learn more about how to follow God's commandments by reading the Bible and praying. It is more important to do what God says than to think things like money and status are more important. The children said sometimes you have to go against what your friends say or think in order to follow God. The promise that God's love will conquer the world should encourage us. We thought that it is pretty amazing that we can be part of this when we show God's love to each other. No matter whether you are a child or an adult, you have the special chance to show God's love in the world, so let's all do our best.

Level II Atrium

Lenten Reflection - March 16, 2015

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world by forfeiting their life?
Matthew 16:24-26

When we picture the cross in the modern day, we may forget the imagery it evoked in Matthew's time. It was an ugly and cruel instrument of death, a weapon to inflict unimaginable pain, and a gory reminder to follow the oppressive Roman law or suffer the consequences.

As a symbol, it can represent total commitment. We give a girl a cross necklace at her confirmation to represent her commitment to the church. We hang a cross in our home to remind us of our consecrated living space. Some even get the cross tattooed on their bodies to demonstrate a binding commitment to Christ.

In order to "take up" a cross of commitment, we need to put something down. Think of the young, rich ruler that Jesus loved. Jesus told him to put down all of his wealth and possessions. He said this not because you have to be poor and destitute to follow Jesus and find the Kingdom, but because his wealth was his obstacle, the weight he was carrying that hindered him from traveling the Jesus Way.

What am I carrying around that needs to be set down in order to carry the cross of Christ? Egotism disguised as self-esteem? Busyness to prove my worth or importance? A job that may not reflect my passions or purpose in Christ? Positions, memberships, or responsibilities that may increase my social status but decrease my effectiveness in representing Jesus in the world? Hidden habits? A hurtful history? Unforgiveness?

What are you carrying that is keeping you from traveling Light?

Robin Henshaw

Lenten Reflection - March 15, 2015 The Fourth Sunday of Lent

It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

This passage draws me back to a conversation years ago with a dear friend who, after listening to my interpretation of limiting surrender to God, responded simply, "God is not an oncologist." What she meant is that God is not interested in a conditional or partial surrender where I hand over some of me but keep the rest, the way the doctor removes the tumor but leaves the surrounding tissue intact. It was the fear of "losing myself" in this process that held me back, that made me want to hold on to pieces, and surrender on my own terms.

I think this is at the core of the human spiritual journey. There are many paths to it and many things surrounding it, but at the core it is about a death of self will and a manifestation of God's will. This death is not like a literal death; it is a progressive death journey, and not a linear progression (the image of a tug of war comes to mind). How is this sustainable? Answer: by faith – faith in a complete sense of the word – not simple belief, but by "sticking with" or being faithful to the decision to surrender. Ironically, that decision is a matter for the will itself, with a developed quality of willingness to surrender by the day, hour, minute. This, in the end, is only possible because of God's grace enabling us to do what we could never do for ourselves. In this light, every desire to hold back becomes a gift toward surrender—another opportunity to choose rightly, and live by faith in Christ.

Rick Downs

Lenten Reflection - March 14, 2015

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who . . . had not agreed to their plan and action. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid.
Luke 23:50-53

How often do we change our mind about some course of action we were going to follow, either as an individual or a part of a group?

The gospel of Luke is the source of this excerpt from the crucifixion narrative. Luke was one of the more prolific biblical authors. In addition to his canonical gospel, Luke is credited with being the author of the book of Acts that tells about what went on in the early Christian church after Christ's ascension. Luke was different from the other Disciples. He was a learned man, a physician, and a Gentile.

Joseph ("of Arimathea" although no settlement of that name has been found) was a man of importance in the Jewish community, a member of the Sanhedrin, the group of influential Jews who advised Pilate (including counseling Pilate to crucify Jesus only days previously). Joseph had asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. When it was taken down, it was wrapped in a clean linen cloth and interred in the new-hewn tomb. And the heavy stone door was rolled shut. It was such a momentous weekend with the Sabbath and feast of Pentecost. that it was planned to make final decisions for the body in the following week.

But when the tomb was opened that first Easter Morning, Christ had gone.

John Henderson

Lenten Reflection - March 13, 2015

"When Jesus received the wine, he said "It is finished."
John 19:30

Whew... take a moment here. Ponder this... Can you imagine the exhaustion? It's been a long three years, full of frustrations ("You of little faith, why are you afraid?" Matthew 8:26), sorrow ("Jesus wept" John 11:35), and anger ("He turned over the tables of the moneychangers…" Matthew 21:12). Three years Jesus spent knocking on our hard hearts and thick skulls to get us to …what? To know Him! To know the great LOVE. "Now, this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God…"(John 17:3) Jesus lived to show us how to live, how to be fully human, that is, alive in the love of God. This was risky. Caesar called himself God, Herod murdered those who challenged him (even those he perceived to be a challenge to him), the entrenched priestly class, the Pharisees, did not want their comfortable mega-yacht rocked. So, take another moment here…think about it…this is exhausting!! In light of this, one completely understands why Jesus so often went away by himself to pray, to decompress, to vent to his Father. He had to recharge. He was challenging the system, a number of systems in fact, by declaring the rightful place of the kingdom of God in the world, in each person's life. He knew what was coming. Since his baptism by John, his sense of mission had become clear. At the wedding in Cana he told his mother "My time has not yet come." (John 2:4) But it had begun, and he changed water into the very best wine. Now, on Golgotha, his time had come. He'd come full circle. And after a taste of the most bitter wine, he could finally say "It is finished." But, as Rabindranath Tagore wrote, "Death is not extinguishing the light; it's turning down the lamp because the dawn has come." Thanks be to God!

Patti Sachs

Lenten Reflection - March 12, 2015

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Corinthians 2:2

This passage is part of a letter written by Paul to the church of Corinth and Christians. While visiting Corinth, Paul witnessed the presence of sin within the church of Corinth and among the people of Corinth. Christians in Corinth were being pressured to adapt to the immortality of certain church members, corruption and other sins occurring throughout Corinth. Paul recognized the struggle among Christians to understand how they should respond to the pressures placed on them to adapt to the sins. In his letter, Paul identifies the issues Christians in Corinth were facing, emphasizes a need for change, gives the Christians guidance for how to respond, and stresses the necessity to maintain a clear commitment to Christ.

It can become overwhelming and discouraging to recognize the sins amongst us. The news frequently reports problems related to substance abuse, corruption, and shootings. Sometimes it seems that it would be easier to either ignore or develop some way to adapt to these problems, rather than work on developing solutions. In this passage, Paul tells the Christians he can see their commitment to Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit among them. As Christians we need to remember our commitment to Christ and work together to correct our own sins and those of society. As we work to resolve our sins, Paul says we must continue to strengthen our faith. Having a strong faith will enable us to be guided by the Holy Spirit and make a positive difference.

Debbie Tolliver

Lenten Reflection - March 11, 2015

Paul said, "Even though they found no cause for a sentence of death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. When they had carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead and we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors he has fulfilled for us by raising Jesus."
Acts 13:29

The Jewish authorities proceeded with their unjust and contrived persecution of Jesus without realizing that the Scriptures, which they only selectively understood, had very specifically told of these terrible events. Numerous prophets had predicted that all of this would happen. Curiously, the high priests' actions had ignorantly fulfilled the Scriptures!

Upon further thought about the role of the Jewish authorities, the prophets were reflecting the will of God, who had ordained that these events would happen in order to bring all people to a closer relationship with God and to save them from their sins. Since these predictions and beliefs were not accepted by the authorities, it's hard to lay the blame on these high priests. This is true especially if you consider that unbeknownst to them, they were influenced by the very God they were condemning. They, in fact, had no choice.

Moving to today's world and our individual roles as practicing Christians, what do we believe? We have the advantage of knowing the Scriptures and, more importantly, have been given the truths contained in the New Testament. Therefore, it would be hard for us to make a claim of ignorance as to the deity and importance of Jesus, as the high priests had. Exactly what role Jesus plays in each of our lives is a matter of choice. So, again, the question is: what do we believe?

Charlie Wolf

Lenten Reflection - March 10, 2015

"Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:27

Imagine yourself in the first century, accused of a crime and sentenced to crucifixion! You are stripped, beaten, and led to the place of your execution by a public crier announcing your crime, while you carry the heavy beams that form the cross from which you will hang until you die.

In the first-century, the cross meant one thing: death by the most painful and humiliating means humanly possible. In Jesus' time, a cross was not just a symbol of pain and suffering; it was a symbol of death. Jesus was telling his disciples that they needed to put to death their own plans and desires, and turn their lives over to Him and do His will every day.

Today, we see the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life for the cause of Christ. Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost.

Two criminals were also on the hill with Jesus at the crucifixion. One criminal hurled insults at Jesus and demanded that he save himself since he was Messiah, while the other admonished the first criminal and asked him if he feared God, since they both were under the same sentence. The second criminal then asked Jesus to remember him in Heaven.  Jesus assured him that "today you will be with me in paradise."

Are you ready to carry your cross and follow Jesus?

Brenda Boucher

Lenten Reflection - March 9, 2015

[Peter said], "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know — this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power."
Acts 2:22-24

In the movie Apollo 13, one scene has always struck me as really dramatic. The scene where the crew needs to make a course correction to re-enter the earth's atmosphere.  If they come too low, they will bounce off the earth's atmosphere and back into space. If they come too steep, they may burn up. The ship's course corrections are done using a guidance platform, but the ship is already damaged and the crew can't afford to use up their remaining power by turning on the guidance computer. Instead, Tom Hanks' character guides the course correction manually by keeping a view of earth centered through his window and keeping proper altitude. After a tense 39 seconds, the maneuver succeeds and the crew is saved.

Conversion is all about course correction. If we make half-hearted or timid changes, we bounce in an unintended direction. But if we make changes that are too drastic, we may crash and burn. With patience and good counsel, though, we can make a successful course correction and re-enter life at the proper angle. Like the Apollo 13 crew, we need to "maintain altitude" by keeping our eye on one fixed point – the mind of Jesus Christ, because through him all things are possible.

Patty Coleman

Lenten Reflection - March 8, 2015 The Third Sunday of Lent

He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death the hostility through it.
Ephesians 2:15-16

In this passage, Paul writes of unifying diverse communities – Jews and Gentiles – through God's sacrifice of his only son. Through the cross, which supersedes the manifold laws and regulations of man, God is offering us the opportunity to create one, peaceful humanity from previously divided peoples. In today's world, this sounds like a tall order. Daily, the evening news is filled with reports of conflicts between ethnicities or religions, within societies or between them – a "clash of civilizations" is often used to describe the current global dynamic. In such a context, is it possible to achieve God's vision as articulated by Paul? It seems unlikely, given the complexity of the challenge and the depth and strength of views held by opposing sides. If our mission as Christians is to bring others to the church, will we ever succeed? How? Through missions? Witness? Love? Force?

These are difficult and uncomfortable topics to think about, much less discuss amicably and rationally with friends, among communities, or between societies. What are we as individuals supposed to do? Instead of looking at the destination – universal harmony under the unifying presence of Christ – perhaps we could choose to look at the journey. Step by step, day by day, person by person, is there something we can bring to daily discourse – a kind word, an unexpected favor, a deep breath rather than a quick, angry response to perceived injustices – that will help to spread God's word through our examples? In the midst of conflict – global, local or individual – should we not seek to be touched by what President Lincoln once called "the better angels of our nature?"

George Pickart

Lenten Reflection - March 7, 2015

Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet to come: but your time is always ready.
John 7:6

This passage refers to Jesus' refusal to publicly attend the Festival of Shelters that his brothers and kin encouraged him to attend. His refusal implies that it is not part of God's plan to put him in danger from those who hate him because he tells them the world is bad. Your time is always ready, refers to his brothers by stating that the world does not hate them and at this time they do not believe in him so there is no danger to them in attending the festival.

All of us, at times, throughout our lives will face suffering, anger, grief, and other things that cause great distress and anxiety when God calls us to them. Because of our faith and love of God, we will be able to overcome many of the adversities. This does not mean we need to tempt God by doing things that are in conflict with his teachings. God had a plan for Jesus and his time had not come. God has plan a for all of us and we must always be ready for our time.

Jim Brown

Lenten Reflection - March 6, 2015

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
John 1:29

In this passage from the Gospel of John, we see John the Baptist baptizing people with water, but denying that he was Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet. John the Baptist had been told that the person on whom the Spirit came down from Heaven as a dove and remained would baptize not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. So when he saw the dove land and remain on Jesus, he knew that Jesus was the one: "I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

Interestingly, John the Baptist calls Jesus "the Lamb of God." Sheep were the most important domestic animals in those days, providing meat, milk, fat, hides, wool, and horns. They were precious to their owners and their families, who would do their best to keep them safe and seek them out when they were lost and return them to the fold; yet sometimes these sheep were sacrificed as offerings.

This passage reminds me of the words of the song, "There is a Redeemer":

There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God's own son, Precious lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One.
Jesus my Redeemer, Name above all names, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Oh, for sinners slain.
Thank you, oh my Father, For giving us your son, And leaving your Spirit, 'til the work on earth is done.

We humans are all sinners. Jesus, God's precious lamb, was without sin. Yet, he gave his life for our sins so we could have eternal life. To me, this knowledge is overwhelming!

Marjie Mack

Lenten Reflection - March 5, 2015

The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how the body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath, they rested according to the commandment.
Luke 23:55

The women referenced in this passage followed Jesus from Galilee, watched Him suffer and die, and took the time to see where He would be buried. Luke doesn't mention their names until later in his gospel--Luke 24:10—"Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and several other women". Try to imagine what they were feeling—sadness, disappointment, confusion. They must have been devastated and thinking that their beloved Jesus was not their Messiah.

What could they do for Jesus now? It was a little thing perhaps, but they decided to make sure that He received the honor of a proper burial. They planned to go home and prepare the spices and ointments, and to come back early Sunday morning to anoint His body. And, in obedience to God, they rested on the Sabbath before preparing His body. I imagine that they could hardly wait for the Sabbath to be over so that they could perform this small act of caring and love. Their plan shows us that they were still expecting Jesus to remain dead. They were not expecting Him to rise from the dead!

Their commitment to Him was evident in little things. And because of their devotion, they were the first to know about the Resurrection. How about us—what can we do for Jesus now? Can you think of something you can do today to show your love and devotion to Him—no matter how small it may seem to you?

Nancy Horkan

Lenten Reflection - March 4, 2015

We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Romans 6:6

This passage is from a letter from Paul to the church at Rome. He is reminding his readers that all of us have sinned and we need to make ourselves acceptable to God. Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. But God showed how much he loved us by having Jesus die for us even though we were sinful. Christ died so that we would be freed from sin and have the gift of eternal life. This was done so our sinful bodies would not be slaves to sin. Sin doesn't have power over dead people. We know that death no longer has power over Christ. When he died he died for sin once and for all. Now he is alive and he lives only for God. In the same way we must think of ourselves as dead to the power of sin. When we are baptized we die and are buried with Christ so that we can live a new life through him. Jesus gives us new life and we live for God.

Susan Buffaloe

Lenten Reflection - March 3, 2015

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said "Father, into your hands I commend my Sprit." Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent."
Luke 23:46-47

The cross was a tough place for Jesus, in addition to being fully divine, Jesus was fully human in body, emotions, mind, and will. In times of physical pain, have you ever pleaded to God? Feeling alone and hopeless have you wondered if God was listening?

In Matthew 26:47 we find Jesus uttering "My God, my God why have you abandoned me?" Questions arise in our life and faith. However in our passage Jesus is giving Himself to the Father, His prayers are answered, His mission completed. The lines of communication with the Father are restored. This is a passage about reconciliation.

Use this example to guide us through our doubts, our pain, and inner struggles – our fully human life. We all may question, but it is best to put our full faith in God. Trust that our friends, family, and events will restore our faith, that we will see the pattern of God within those things. We are reconciled - we can be reconciled with our God because Jesus was on the cross and that allows us to have a relationship with God. Jesus committed himself to His Father to do the work he was given. As with the centurion, people will notice, they may come to believe, seeing in your life commitment.

Can we commit to God this way? Do we have the strength to do what God asks of us? More questions, but we have a template to regain our faith, fully trusting in God and to do what He asks.

Journey 2 Adulthood (J2A) Class

Lenten Reflection - March 2, 2015

Yet among the mature we do speak of wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
I Corinthians 2:6-8

If they only knew… Paul makes a telling point. If Pontius Pilate and Herod had known, the crucifixion would not have happened. Pair that with Christ's saying "Blessed are they who have not seen but believe."

It's like the parable of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus. In Hell, the rich man wants to save his living brothers by having Abraham appear to them. He's told that they have Moses and the Prophets, and if the brothers won't listen to the prophets, they won't be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.

But most people didn't know, despite all the foreshadowing, despite the Prophets, despite John the Baptist; only those mature enough to understand who Christ was when the truth was revealed. We have to be children in our trusting relationship with God, but we have to understand as adults. That is what it is to be mature in God. To understand that wisdom which became fully revealed in Christ. To believe, even having not seen.

Greg Davis

Lenten Reflection - March 1, 2015 The Second Sunday of Lent

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24

When we have the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—it makes up for what we lack as mere human beings. That is the wonderful part of belonging to Jesus Christ—once we belong to him, we live and are guided by the Holy Spirit. We leave our worldly choices behind and do as God would have us do. When we live God's way, he brings incredible gifts into our lives! We live, not with this understanding just in our heads, but in our hearts--believing that people and things are holy and good. We don't need to get our own way anymore, because we delight in God's will and walk in his ways to the glory of his name. What could be more important in this world or the next?

Yet, how often do we struggle with thinking or saying or doing what we want to rather than what we know we should? How often do we know what we should do, yet still we leave it undone? And, how often do we insist on getting our own way instead of yielding to others and to God? When we act like people of the flesh, we behave like unbelievers who do not have the Holy Spirit. We don't always love God with our whole heart or our neighbors as ourselves. Then, over and over and over, we confess to God that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and we humbly repent. We ask for mercy and forgiveness for Jesus' sake, and God grants it to us—over and over and over!

Marjie Mack

Lenten Reflection - February 28, 2015

God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14

What???

Much thinking required.

This is hard.

Maybe there was a problem in Colossae that Paul was responding to. What were they up to? Well a little bit of research reveals that Colossians is one of the prison letters that Paul wrote when he was imprisoned the first time. He had gotten word that the people of Colossae were fighting and trying to settle some doctrine that confused them. In this light, we can read this as a sort of Pauline smack-down: Together with Christ, you're forgiven, the legal record is erased, Jesus was nailed to the cross... for you... for each and every one of us.

On the other hand, there seems to be some compelling evidence that Paul did not write this epistle, that it was in fact written by someone on the ground in Colossae, but somehow became attributed to Paul. The anxiety the Colossians were having seemed to revolve around the symbolic observances of new Christian laws. They were good on the big things, but bogged down on the fine print. Well, regardless of the topic, the advice is sound: Together with Christ, you're forgiven, the legal record is erased, Jesus was nailed to the cross... for you... for each and every one of us.

One of my most powerful and vivid memories of Cursillo weekend involved a cross and setting aside our anxieties and worries. It was, if I recall correctly, the second evening when we were all tired and confused about what we were doing at Cursillo in the first place. But this exercise was very centering and comforting. Together with Christ...

JoEllen Kelly

Lenten Reflection - February 27, 2015

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Matthew 27:28-31

As I do every time I read this passage or watch it in a movie, the first thing I feel is anger. How dare they treat our Savior like this? What more in the world could he have done to prove his true identity. Then I remember, he went through this for me. Then the anger transforms to shame. My sin was the thorns and mocking. It is hard to imagine the pain and embarrassment our Lord must have felt. Even harder to comprehend is that he had the power to stop it at any time but did not. No matter how brutal, he was determined not to interfere with God's will and to allow the plan to play out. And again, he did this for me.

As we reflect on our work within our Lord's church and how difficult it can be from time to time, let's not forget what he went through for us. Also we should remember that after all that, he was willing to forgive, and asked his father to forgive those same people responsible for inflicting this pain and humility on him. How then can we ever hold a grudge or cast judgment on someone within his Church?

And finally, I would like to share that reflecting on this passage has helped give me energy to face the tasks ahead of me this year within our parish. No matter how challenging the tasks may get, they can never mirror the things our Lord went through on our account.

Steven E. Dorsey

Lenten Reflection - February 26, 2015

May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14

During my research of this passage, I found it interesting that Paul wrote the letter in his own handwriting thereby emphasizing its importance. His goal was to declare in no uncertain terms that he placed his trust in nothing but Jesus Christ –- crucified for the pardon of our sins and the salvation of our souls. The symbolism of the cross is also very important. In earlier times, the cross was an instrument of torture, a symbol of utter shame and a most dishonorable form of death. When you think about it, it is truly astounding that God could use the vilest of symbols and turn it into a glorious token of victory.

So what does this boil down to for us? Like Paul, we need to trust in and rely on our Lord at all times. While this may seem difficult during moments in our lives, it is He who grounds us and provides that spiritual comfort no one else can fulfill. Living our lives in a thoughtful and caring manner is a small price to pay for the One who sacrificed so dearly to take on the sins of the world. If ever in need of being reminded of the importance of that sacrifice, I would refer you to the lyrics of "The Old Rugged Cross": "To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; Its shame and reproach gladly bear; Then He'll call me someday to my home far away, Where His glory forever I'll share" (last verse).

Am Okrzesik

Lenten Reflection - February 25, 2015

Pilate said to them, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah? "All of them said, "Let him be crucified!" Then he asked, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!"
Matthew 27-22-23

These were troubled times in Jerusalem. This was a time of unrest between the people and Rome. Zealots roamed the land rebelling against what they believed to be a tyrannical government. Rome had its hands full trying to quell unrest and prevent a general rebellion. As governor, one of Pilate's primary responsibilities was to maintain peace, and he would be held accountable if there was violence and rebellion. Jerusalem was preparing for the Festival of Unleavened Bread and would be crowded with people coming to participate in Passover. Expecting that there could be trouble, as was his custom, Pilate and his legions traveled to Jerusalem. While Pilate entered the City from the west through Harod's Gate with a show of all his majesty and earthly power, Jesus entered from the east through the Golden Gate humbly riding on a donkey with no worldly possessions.

Jesus fell into disfavor with the Jewish religious leaders and they hated him for his violation of their rules. They found him guilty of blasphemy under Jewish law, but did not have the authority to execute him. They had to turn to Rome, but Pilate had no reason or authority to execute him for that reason. When the leaders turned to false accusations of crimes under Rome law, Pilate was not impressed, but agreed to issue a crucifixion order to appease them. This to prevent them from issuing a formal complaint to Rome that could result in his being recalled by Rome. As was the custom, Pilate offered to free one prisoner, but the crowd had been whipped into such frenzy against Jesus, they chose to release Barabbas.

So, who is responsible for Jesus' death? While the Jewish leaders were the instrument, isn't it really all of us? None of us are capable of perfection, so God in his compassion chose to come to the earth to show us perfection, and through the death of Jesus Christ, to provide us a way through him to stand before God and enter his Kingdom.

Warren Harper

Lenten Reflection - February 24, 2015

And carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.
John 19:17

This passage from John is about Jesus carrying the cross to his crucifixion. For me, this passage is a reminder of my commitment in 2014 to the Daughters of the King (DOK). DOK was founded in 1885 for women of the Episcopal, Anglican, Catholic and Lutheran Churches. The focus of the Order is prayer, service, and personal evangelism. There are over 26,000 Daughters around the world. I am part of a religious order that is a caring community of women who support each other in our faith journey, and who work to strengthen our parishes.

When I learned the DOK motto, I realized that this is a group of women with values and commitments consistent with my own.

I am but one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
What I ought to do, by the grace of God, I will do.
Lord, what will you have me do?

The Spirit of the Living God truly inspired our founding mothers and the clergy who supported them. Today, 130 years later, God is still moving among us, fanning the flames of our ministry and drawing us to a closer, more personal relationship with Him through our dedication to prayer, service and evangelism. With heart, mind and spirit, we uphold and bear the cross.

Visit www.DOKnational.org to learn more.

Linda Rines

Lenten Reflection - February 23, 2015

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians captures the problems that we still face as Christians living in a modern society. Corinth was a beautiful resort city recognized as the capital of pleasure for the entire empire. The people of Corinth loved to philosophize and they were very persuasive with their words. They placed a premium on earthly-based rhetoric and shallow thoughts that Paul referred to as "the wisdom of words." Although Paul was a man that could reason and debate, he made a deliberate decision to focus his preaching on Christ and His sacrifice for us. Paul was willing to risk rejection by changing the debate from one grounded in the earthly wisdom of man to a message of only the power of God.

As Christians, most of us have encountered times in our lives where we relied on the power of God to help us through a difficult situation. When we need help, it is easy to put our total trust in God. On the other hand, when life is firing on all cylinders, we subtly are lured into a material world that places a premium on earthly possessions and lifestyles pushing us away from God. Unlike Paul, many of us are not relentless and steadfast in our message, and almost two thousand years later could still benefit from his teachings to "know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

John Okrzesik

Lenten Reflection - February 22, 2015 The First Sunday of Lent

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:25

The women who were faithful followers, who loved Jesus, stood with Him until the end and beyond, intending to prepare His body for the grave. It is what the women did and still do. They did not deal in confrontation or in denial or in doubt; they simply did what needed to be done. Standing near, preparing the body were no glamorous tasks or even noble, though they were quietly heroic. It had to be so painful to watch and follow His struggles and finally His death, yet devotion required them to be there. The womanly virtues of caring for and standing near in loyalty are apparent here and throughout history. Not all women demonstrate this in their character and many men do, notably in this instance John the beloved disciple at the cross.

Why is this worth considering? For me, it is much more important than debating whether this passage refers to three or four of the women who stood at the cross. It is about the most basic of Christian character traits, being close and supportive of not only Jesus, but all of His children with whom we come into contact. Loyalty and commitment and devotion to the end, not for fame or our own comfort, but for others and ultimately for God, is shown by example in these women, and by God's grace, in our own lives.

Susan Tabatsko

Lenten Reflection - February 21, 2015

It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

The words of Paul from Galatians 2:20 and 21 of his letter to the churches of Galatia express the crux of Christianity as I believe it to be. All people will receive the unmerited divine gift of ever lasting life in God's Kingdom at their death, if they have faith that Jesus is the Son of God, who loves them and who died for them for the forgiveness of their sins by God, to provide the justification for God's gift of everlasting life in his Kingdom.

It is my belief that although Christ lived in Paul through Paul's actions to deliver knowledge of the Gospel to various people, it was Paul's faith that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for the forgiveness of his sins and the sins of the world which was the reason for God granting ever lasting life in God's Kingdom.

Jo Smith

Lenten Reflection - February 20, 2015

Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
Matthew 27:39-40

Lord Jesus, we will never fully understand or appreciate what you endured for our sakes. Your servant John reminds us that you came to that which was your own – humanity, your beloved creation – and we did not receive you. (John 1:11) It wasn't enough that we tortured you, spat on you, and nailed you to a cross. We mocked you as you hung there, throwing your own words in your face. Words we didn't understand, words predicting your resurrection from the dead (John 2:19-22), which would open the way to eternal life for us. We taunted you, calling out to you to come down from the cross and save yourself, if you were the Son of God. Never realizing that you were choosing to hang there and die for us, submitting to the Father's will on our behalf (Matt. 26:42), even as we despised and rejected you (Isa.53:3). It is a wonder that you could love humanity at all, let alone love us enough to give your life for us, but that is what you did. We can never love you enough in return.

Leslie Clark

Lenten Reflection - February 19, 2015

Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.
Acts 2:36

The last sentence of the first Easter sermon . . . Peter's summary of what he had preached – that Jesus was divinely tasked and attested to by His miracles; that the popular and national response was to crucify Him; that God's response in turn was to raise Him up from death and to His right hand; that the testimony of the apostles' speaking in tongues was Jesus' exercise of His authority by pouring out the Holy Spirit; and that the people of Israel should – with certainty - understand that, in contrast to their putting Him to death, God had appointed Jesus as King and Savior . . . and it provoked a response -- "What shall we do?"

In context I can almost hear the assertiveness and power of Peter's conclusion reflected in this verse. His listeners certainly did – v.37 says they were "cut to the heart". Peter's sermon clearly impacted them, radically and emotionally. So, why don't I feel such an emotional response to his assertion? Did God make me cold-blooded? Or is it the sinful corruption of my heart? Or something else?

I have struggled with this question for what seems like my entire life, and I am no closer to an answer now than I was 50 years ago. Fortunately, in His mercy God has not based my relationship with Him on how I feel, but on trust of His promises. If I repent and have been baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of my sins, if I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and if I truly believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. And I can be as certain of that as the fact He is Lord and Messiah!

Graham Clark

Lenten Reflection - February 18, 2015 Ash Wednesday

"For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
1 Corinthians 1:18

The Cross! We wear it as Jewelry, we decorate our homes with it, and we use it to identify our churches. But what does it really stand for? In the mind of man, the cross often symbolizes weakness and failure. How ridiculous it seems, in the view of our world, for the power of God to be expressed through this crucifixion? But, Christ's crucifixion is the crowning revelation of God. Those at the foot of the cross and those who observed Jesus' public life experienced the presence of God and the key to God's true intent for our universe. The cross totally contradicts our preconceived ideas about power and wisdom. Through Jesus Christ, God has provided us the perfect example of justice and love, showing that true power is based in love and not domination. Through the cross, God reveals his method for dealing with the sinful ways and perspectives of the world. He meets them head on and masters them through overwhelming, redeeming and forgiving love. What we see as the foolishness of God, demonstrated by his allowing the crucifixion of his son, demonstrates our foolishness in accepting the values of the world over God's values. What seems to be God's most foolish act is greater than the world's greatest wisdom. As we go through this Lenten season, let us look at our lives through the prism of the cross and pray as our Lord taught us, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven."

The Ven. Kerry J. Smith