1. family and parenting
2. children

Thanks to all who contributed to
this St. Chad’s Devotional Booklet.
We hope you and your families
find these meditations a blessing
during this season of Lent.
Ash Wednesday, February 18th
Psalm 103
Joel 2:1–2, 12–17
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21
Nancy Hoing
Today, as we begin the solemnness of Lent, it is time to
remember what our God expects from us. He is neither looking
for the showing off of our possessions nor the exclamations of
all the good we have done in His name.
Our readings today ask us to come to Him in humbleness and
praise, in gladness and Thanksgiving with praise to Him alone,
and in joy to be a part of His Kingdom. Mostly He asks us to
be thankful for all that He has given.
He especially asks us to let our good works define who we are.
Forget telling everyone about all the good things you did this
year and all the things you accomplished! Instead, let your
actions define your life in Him. He knows who you are and
what you believe. He knows where your heart is. He knows
all. It is not necessary to tell Him anything.
Be defined by your actions. Help those in need. Listen. Pray.
Don’t come to Him with all your possessions—only your heart.
After all, what He cares about is you.
Thursday, February 19th
Psalm 1
Deuteronomy 30:15–20
Luke 9:18–25
Margaret Edwards
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,” Psalm 1:2–3; “ I command
you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep
His commandments, Deuteronomy 30:16–17.
This past summer I had the pleasure of attending the
Chautauqua Institute in Southwest New York State for a weeklong vacation that was both intellectually and spiritually
fulfilling in an atmosphere of unique community. The
Chautauqua Institute was founded in 1874 by two Methodist
Bishops as an educational experiment in out-of-school learning
which had an ecumenical spirit from the beginning.
Each week of the eight-week summer programs has a guest
preacher in attendance and a distinct topic for discussion. The
weekly guest preacher for my week was The Rev. Craig Barnes,
an ordained Presbyterian minister who is the President and
Dean of the Princeton Theological Seminary. He preached for
six mornings on the ten commandments. His unique
presentation was to look at the commandments as gifts from
God to guide us and instruct us in how to live in a joyful
harmony with God. What a different approach. There was
nothing punitive about the sermons and I was held by his words
daily and looked forward to each morning’s presentation and
was never disappointed.
I also was surrounded daily by an interdenominational
community of 5,000 gathered to hear God's word and to share in
our common beliefs. This experience opened my heart to what
community is and can mean in my life.
Opening of my mind to new ways of thinking about God's
community and his ten commandments happened last summer
on beautiful Lake Chautauqua. I wish for each of us a Lent full
of openness to the possibilities of growth in God's love and our
own community.
Friday, February 20th
Psalm 51:1–10
Isaiah 58:1–9a
Matthew 9:10–17
Vicki Dahn
“No one sews a piece of un-shrunk cloth on an old cloak ...”
Perhaps this verse in Matthew has made sense to you but it has
always puzzled me, especially in regards to the rest of the
passage ... until I was reading it this time. What this verse said
to me is that whether we are talking about cloth, wineskins, life,
or human beings is that “but new wine is put into fresh
wineskins, and so both are preserved.”
Not being a biblical scholar nor a learned theologian, I came up
with two ways of thinking about this that did make sense to me.
The first is that life before Jesus was a well-established way of
life (the Old Testament), but with Jesus’ coming, His death and
resurrection, (the New Testament) life is greatly changed, i.e.
the old and then the new. The world needs to change the “old
wineskin” with “a new wineskin.” What an incredible change!
Or another way of looking at it is that Easter is the time of our
Lord’s resurrection and the forgiveness of our sin and Lent is
the time to prepare for that wondrous time. If we are to approach Easter without preparation, it is like “sewing un-shrunk
cloth on an old cloak, as the patch will pull away from the
cloak.” Preparation is needed by us so that we have a “new
wineskin” that we can put our new wine into. We are preparing
ourselves. Lent is about preparation.
Either way, or both ways, one must pause and look to The Lord
and “prepare the way!”
Saturday, February 21st
Psalm 86:1–11
Isaiah 58:9b–14
Luke 5:27–32
Merri Jean Jones
Psalm 86: 1–11
Verses 1–7 of this psalm is a cry for help, an appeal to be heard
because the psalmist is faithful and because God has committed
Himself to unchanging love for us.
Verses 8–10 are praise for God’s power, and an expression of
confidence that in times of trouble; God will respond to our prayers.
Verse 11 is a prayer for guidance to live in the way that God intends
for us.
Isaiah 58: 9b–14
Isaiah teaches us that our relationship with God is revealed through
our relationships with others. God listens to our needs and concerns
especially when we share the “fruits of our spirits” with others in
terms of mercy and social justice. He returns our care for others with
the gifts of strength and abundance in our own lives. We are asked to
forget ourselves and to rise above the trivial, and we are encouraged
to show our love for God by seeking opportunities to love our
neighbors.
Luke 5: 27–32
This passage from Luke expresses Jesus’ attitude toward sinners. He
sought out and ministered to the outcasts in society like Levi the tax
collector. Jesus encouraged them to repent and to transform and
reform their lives to realize God’s purpose for them.
The Father promises us that he will listen and respond to our needs
and concerns, but He also reminds us that we are His hands and feet
in the world. He wants us to think beyond ourselves and to respond
in His name to the needs of others.
We thank you for your blessings, Father, and we reach out in the faith
of your abundant love to those who have need, that they may know
your constant care and love, as well.
Monday, February 23rd
Psalm 19:7–14
Leviticus 19:1–2,11–18
Matthew 25:31–46
Betty Wilson
It is ironic that as I consider these readings as I am sitting in the
jury pool in the Bernalillo County Courthouse for these
readings concern God's instructions on the law and how we are
to relate to one another. The Leviticus reading tells us to "be
honest and just when you make decisions in legal cases." Wow,
this is the Bible speaking directly to my current situation!
Among the dos and don'ts of this chapter is what Jesus spoke of
as the second great commandment: "Love your neighbor as
you love yourself." I find myself questioning how to love my
neighbor in circumstances that are not always easy or perfectly
clear. But Jesus is specific in Matthew telling us to feed the
hungry, give drink to the thirsty, receive the stranger into our
homes, clothe the naked, care for the sick , and visit those in
prison. Jesus makes it clear that whenever we show love to
others we are loving him. I wonder if I am fulfilling this
command only in a second-hand way by donations to groups
that do the work of loving our neighbors. Jesus calls me to love
actively.
Psalm 19 tells me that not only my actions but also my thoughts
and my words to others must be acceptable to the Lord.
Tuesday, February 24th
Psalm 34:15–22
Isaiah 55:6–11
Matthew 6:7–15
Deena Williams
Is praying about speaking or listening? Perhaps it’s both.
These readings touch on how we should pray, how we should
trust and how we should listen. They describe much more than
worship, but an actual relationship with the Lord based on
communication and love. He craves that relationship with us.
The Lord knows what we need before we ask so we don’t need
to make our prayers into big productions. This doesn’t mean
that we don’t need to pray. The readings also tell us if turn to
the Lord, He will show us His mercy and lighten our burdens in
life. It assumes that we will turn to Him, though.
I’ve heard many people say that they don’t know how to pray
because they don’t know where to start or what to say. Maybe
they feel the Lord may not listen to them if they aren’t as
eloquent as someone better trained in the Bible. It’s easy to feel
that way. These readings reassure us that if we truly turn to the
Lord with our simple thoughts and feelings, and trust in Him,
that’s enough.
As with any relationship, we can’t do all of the talking. We
also need to listen to Him to complete that circle. His thoughts
and wishes come to us in many ways every day and if we listen,
we will be watered like the earth after a spring rain.
May we all grow in our relationships with the Lord this Lenten
season.
Wednesday, February 25th
Psalm 51:11–18
Jonah 3:1–10
Luke 11:29–32
Father Brian Winter
Jonah 3: 1-10
“…for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to
anger, and abounding in steadfast love…”
These are Jonah’s words to God after God changes his mind
about the calamity that he said he would bring on the town of
Nineveh. Jonah is not pleased because he cut Nineveh a break.
They heard the news of Jonah and did repent, saving their entire
town. Even the pagan king turned his ways, had everyone put
on sackcloth and ashes, and God’s heart and mind was changed
and they lived.
So many times the God we read about in the Old Testament
seems like a wrathful God, ready to strike down at any moment.
But even Jonah, the one who ran from the calling of God, knew
deep down that our God, THE GOD of all, is a gracious God
and merciful. Like any parent God loves his offspring and, yes,
we are his, made in his image, and therefore at the heart of all
things we are good.
As we walk through our time in Lent and reflect on our lives
and our relationship to our God and Creator, may we always
remember that we are made in God’s image and therefore at the
core we are good. Yes, we stray, yes, we try to be our own god,
or follow false gods, but in the end when it comes down to the
brass tacks, may we know that our God is “a gracious God and
merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love!” May
we let God’s love guide us and keep us this day and always.
Thursday, February 26th
Psalm 138
Esther 12:14–16, 23–25
Matthew 7:7–12
Carol Brocard
PSALM 138 is a psalm of David that offers thanksgiving and
praise for assistance during a time of need. Even kings praise
the greatness and glory of God in the midst of trouble; every
individual has the same assurance God will give continuous
care. There is a thanksgiving for the personal concern this
loving God has for each individual and their special needs.
ESTHER FROM THE APOCRYPHA 14:1–6, 14–16 is the
story of Esther, a Jew who is Queen of Persia along with King
Xerxes who is a gentile. This is her prayer to save her people
from a scoundrel named Haman who is plotting against her
uncle Mordecai to become the king’s advisor. Haman also
wishes to annihilate the Jewish people. Esther first prays for
her people and then prays for herself for strength and guidance.
She is willing to give up all her wealth, her position, and style
of life to save Israel from the worship of false gods and the
plots of Haman. She asks God for courage, eloquent speech,
and help to resolve the situation.
MATTHEW 7:7–12 we learn how to approach God. First we
ask and we will receive; then we search and we will find the
answer, and then we knock and God will open the door and
listen to our prayers. Verse 12 is the Golden Rule, “Do to
others as you would have them do to you.”
What wonderful examples we are given by these godly people
of the Bible about how to pray, praise, and be thankful for the
many blessings we receive. Let us spend our Lenten days in
worship and prayers of thanksgiving
Friday, February 27th
Psalm 130
Ezekiel 18:21–28
Matthew 5:20–26
Kitsie Smiset
These verses follow the Beatitudes and are less familiar to most
of us. Matthew reminds us that Jesus holds us to a higher
accountability than the Judaic laws of the scribes and Pharisees.
To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must obey the rules that
Jesus has taught us by his life. For example, we should
reconcile the conflicts in our own families, before we ask for
forgiveness and a peaceful life when at Church, or in Matthew’s
time, before we” bring gifts to the altar.”
Again, it is easy to say that we do not murder, one of the ten
Commandments, but can we also say that we do not insult,
offend, or abuse someone in our family? This is the higher law
of Jesus.
Matthew, who was formerly a tax collector, also reminds us to
make amends with an accuser when you are on the way to
court, lest the judge throws you in jail. He emphasizes that you
won’t get out until they take every penny! How true at this time
in this life!
Saturday, February 28th
Psalm 119:1-8
Deuteronomy 26:16
Matthew 5:43–48
Lee Allbright
Jesus teaches that “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy” is
not what he commands. Leviticus 19:18 directed, “Thou shalt
not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy
people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Jesus
expanded the Leviticus verse to mean love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute us.
Why pray for enemies? Jesus said so that we may be children
of our Father in heaven. That's a great reason for us to offer
prayers for those who are against us instead of harboring anger.
If you pray for your enemies you are actually pouring love and
compassion on them.
The reading says the Father causes to sun to rise over the good
and the evil and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. If
you love those who love you, what reward will you get? He
asks, are not even the tax collectors and pagans doing that?
Verse 48 may be the hardest assignment given in the entire
Bible, “Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is
perfect.” Jesus is telling us that the Father pours out light,
warmth, and water which are life sustaining to the good and
evil, the righteous and the unrighteous. So through his example
we are to do likewise.
As you reflect on “Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is
perfect” remember that God has equipped you for your life's
mission. Jesus knows us and that is why he repeated “Fear not”
and “Be not afraid” so often. Jesus directly challenges us to be
perfect like our Heavenly Father. Jesus is always within and
when you doubt your abilities to be perfect, remember he says
“Fear not.”
Monday, March 2nd
Psalm 79:1–9
Daniel 9:3–10
Luke 6:27–38
Franklin Halasz
Well, sure enough it happened! Last Saturday's reading in
Deuteronomy predicted terrible things for God's people if they
didn't follow the Lord's command. Now look at the result in the
Psalm and in Daniel. But note in Luke Jesus doesn't tell us to
turn from our wickedness and live. Instead, He preaches
generosity, compassion, and forgiveness to all—even to those
who oppress you, curse you, and treat you ill. I guess He just
assumes we've turned from our wickedness already and are
ready for the next step.
Tuesday, March 3rd
Psalm 50:7–15,22–24
Isaiah 1:2–4,16–20
Matthew 23:1–12
Cheri Winter
The new year is about fresh starts. We resolve to lose/gain
weight, eat better, exercise more, volunteer, work/study harder,
spend more time with family, travel, or stop drinking/smoking/
swearing. We turn to celebrities, blog sites, and friends seeking
the best way to make a positive change.
Lent is a time to stop and reflect on our life in Christ and strive
to become better people, so we turn to our spiritual leaders—
religious folks who know more about Scripture, Christian
traditions, church history, prayer techniques, etc.
Today's readings tell us that, yes, we do need to make changes
in our lives, but while all of those to whom we turn for guidance
(both secular and religious) each hold a piece of the grand
puzzle, it is to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Our Lord, that we
must turn. Jesus is the true model for a life of change, of
growth, and of love. Jesus Christ is the puzzle completed and
whole.
Wednesday, March 4th
Psalm 31:9–16
Jeremiah 18:1–11,18–
Matthew 20:17–28
Georgia Knazovich
Jesus was preparing himself and his disciples for the final trip to
Jerusalem. He knew what the ending would be and how
important it was for him to make the journey that God was
commanding him to make. Our lives are much like the final
journey of Jesus. We basically know that the end will be with
God, but we do not know the details of the path that our
personal journeys will take. It is our journey through life that is
important and brings the richness, disappointments, surprises,
and sometimes even tragedy. As stated in the scripture reading,
our journey should be one of seeking to serve rather than being
served even if at the time we do not realize it. As Jesus said,
“...whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave;
even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and
to give his life as ransom for many.” During this time of
introspection and reflection, let us look inward and see where
our journeys to this point have taken us. Using this insight we
can plan for the future and lay out a path that, with God’s help,
will get us through the final journey with grace and peace
through service.
Thursday, March 5th
Psalm 1
Jeremiah 17:5–10
Luke 16:19–31
Leslea Lehoucq
When I first read through the three passages, I was drawn to the
Luke passage where Lazarus the leper dies and goes to heaven,
while the rich man in front of whose house Lazarus had lain
went to hell. I focused on “is wealth and comfort here on earth
sin?” But when looking a bit more for a reason why these three
scriptures are grouped for this day, I found something different.
The passage mentions that the man was rich, that Lazarus “was
longing to be filled with what fell from the table of the rich
man” (Luke 16:21). Not that Lazarus asked and was denied.
Nothing about the rich man refusing him despite his wealth.
Then the question was different: when a person doesn’t ask for
help, are we justified in ignoring the need?
Then we have Jeremiah: “Cursed is the person who trusts in
humankind and makes flesh his strength, and turns aside his
heart from Yahweh” (Jeremiah 17:5). To me that means we can
reason our way out of responsibility all we want, but doing so is
not following God’s plan.
I look at the many times in my life where I knew what I should
do, but I came up with all sorts of reasons for not doing what I
should. Too busy. I wasn’t comfortable. My gifts/talents
weren’t geared towards that kind of helping. So here’s my
challenge to myself for this lent and hopefully beyond:
proactively help someone every day. Call the lonely, visit the
sick, approach the homeless person NOT holding a sign. I’d
like to see if Jeremiah 17:7 will apply to me: “Blessed be the
person who trusts in Yahweh, and Yahweh is his trust.”
Friday, March 6th
Psalm 105:16–22
Genesis 37:3–4,12–28
Matthew 21:33–43
Beverly Eckel
Genesis 37 details the plot Joseph’s brothers hatched to be rid
of him. Their first plan was to throw Joseph into a cistern, kill
him, then tell their father Joseph had been killed by a wild
beast. Next the brothers saw a caravan on the horizon and they
decided to sell him into slavery instead of killing him. Their
justification for this was, “after all he is our brother, our own
flesh and blood.” We can imagine the brothers sitting around
their campfire, devising a plot to get rid of Joseph but not to
have his blood on their hands. They were probably saying,
“Well, we didn’t hurt him. What happens to him with the slave
traders is not really our fault. He really asked for it with his
ridiculous dreams and his arrogant attitude. It wasn’t our
fault!” This is a case of sibling rivalry run totally amuck. You
wonder if the brothers felt remorse when they saw how Jacob
mourned for his lost son. Did the brothers have nightmares
over what they had done or feel a knot in their stomachs when
someone mentioned their long lost brother? Did they ever
wonder what had happened to Joseph? Envy had totally twisted
their hearts.
Not many people are driven to physical revenge upon the
persons they envy. However, they can become so absorbed by
their envy they begin to justify their envious thoughts. “I
should have the promotion, the bigger house, the fancy car, etc.
I deserve it more because I work harder, am a better person, or
am a good Christian. Look at all I do.” Envy can cloud our
minds and our hearts so we cannot see the blessings that fill our
lives. Instead of yearning for what we don’t have we can thank
God for all the marvelous things we do have in our lives.
Saturday, March 7th
Psalm 103:1–12
Micah 7:14–15,18–20
Luke 15:11–32
Chris Blankenship
PSALM 103
God, the great I am,
Who will be what He will be,
And says into being all that is,
Cherishes all He makes –
Every ray of light, drop of water,
Birds and beasts, large and small,
And those who are in His image,
Man and woman, each precious one.
He sets His plan in the heavens
Before anything is.
When He calls life from the void,
He fixes His covenant that
He saves from the evil one
This special creation.
His Son, too, knows the plan,
Feeling in His flesh obedience and pain.
He believes that His loving Father,
Honors His Word to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
Moses, the prophets, too.
I will be what I will be draws His first Beloved
From the pit of death
And brings life eternal to
His many loved ones.
God is holy;
He is enthroned on
The praises of Israel.
Monday, March 9th
Psalm 42:1–7
2 Kings 5:1–15b
Luke 4:23–30
Joe Allotta
The Lord Is Not Constrained
2 Kings 5:1–15b
The story of Naaman and Elis in 2 Kings is a powerful example
of our humanity and the Lord’s divinity. Naaman wants to be
healed but his perceived self-importance is an obstacle.
Although he is “a great man in the sight of his master and
highly regarded,” he has leprosy. He desires a cure; but as the
story unfolds, it has to be on his terms. Naaman wants
trumpets, a drum roll, and fanfare to signify his healing.
However, the Lord has a different idea. God’s prophet Elisha
does not even bother to take time to see Naaman in person and
tells him to “go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan.” Well,
Naaman, a legend in his own mind, is affronted. He is incensed
that someone as important as he believes he is, will be cured in
the dirty Jordan River.
So like any egotistical person, when his self-assumed
importance is unrecognized, he pouts and plans to leave,
leprosy and all. Fortunately, Naaman’s wise servants prevail
upon him to try Elisha’s cure and as we all know, voilà, he is
healed. The water cleanses him, as it does us in our baptismal
ritual.
Naaman, I am not like him you think. But wait. When we pray,
we tell God what he should do for us and when. When God
speaks to us in a still quiet voice, we miss it because we are
tweeting. We want text messages, not signs. When we do not
get what we want, when we want it, we pout and do not
understand why God does not do what we want Him to do.
This Lent let us begin trying not to constrain God, but letting
the Lord be the Lord and us His followers.
Tuesday, March 10th
Psalm 25:3–10
Song of the Three Young Men 2–4,11–20a
Matthew 18:21–35
Carol Brocard
PSALM 25:3–19
To shame someone is the intended end enemies hope for. I’m
thinking of bullies in today’s world. The appeal here is for God
to show us His ways and lead us in the right paths. We learn
God’s ways over time; we don’t become experts overnight or
even over a lifetime.
SONG OF THE THREE YOUNG MEN 2–4 and 11–20A
This is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego who
ended up in the fiery furnace after refusing to worship a golden
image that King Nebuchadnezzar set up. It is a prayer for
God’s mercy to save them and a plea for God’s help.
MATTHEW 18:21–25
All teaching on forgiveness seemed overwhelming to the
disciples so Peter asks how many times we should forgive and
Jesus answers seventy times seven, in other words unlimited
times. We then read the story of the unforgiving servant. This
story is a picture of God’s total forgiveness when dealing with
our sins. The debt has been paid by Christ on the Cross and we
are set free from it forever.
When we feel discouraged, down, and low in spirit; reading just
the right portion of God’s Word can give us renewed hope and
fresh strength. His Words have a power all their own that
defies description.
Wednesday, March 11th
Psalm 78:1–6
Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 5–9
Matthew 5:17–19
Bernice Dicks
Somewhere around 1491 BC, Moses urged Israel to follow “the
decrees and laws” he would soon give them without changing
them in any way: “keep the commands of the LORD your God
that I give you.” If they will do so, they will appear wise and
understanding among the nations.
And they should also remember that they are the only people
whose LORD God is near them when they pray.
And they must be observant of and remember all the great
things they see and pass all those moments on generation to
generation.
Asaph, a musician to the court of King David, introduces his
poem with a brief history of the people. He then warns them
that the nation must not repeat their unfaithfulness to God, must
not provoke God as they did in the wilderness, must not be
ungrateful to God as they were throughout the Exodus, and
must not be unfaithful to God as they were in the period of the
judges. They must remember “the praiseworthy deeds of the
Lord” from the “statutes for Jacob” to “the law in Israel….”
Somewhere around 1500 years after the giving of the Law to
Moses, Jesus gave the people the Sermon on the Mount. He
assures his disciples that He did not “come to abolish the Law
of the Prophets but to fulfill them.” Nothing, He adds, will
change “until everything is accomplished.” Their job, so to
speak, and ours is to practice and teach all of God’s commands.
With God’s and our Savior’s aid, we can do this!
Thursday, March 12th
Psalm 95:6–11
Jeremiah 7:23–28
Luke 11:14–23
Deena Williams
I found these readings to be tough because they remind us that
there isn’t a lot of wiggle room if we are to follow Him. God
reminds us that we must follow in “all” of the ways he
commands us. He reminds us that we should not be stubborn
and ignore his Commandments. That path takes us away from
God, not toward Him.
There are many times in history where God showered his wrath
on entire cities where people turned their backs from Him and
committed themselves to evil ways. Jesus himself, who showed
so much compassion and love, says “he who is not with me is
against me.” Those words make me cringe when you think
about the standard that Jesus sets for us.
We can’t be part-time Christians. We have to try, human and
flawed as we all are, to follow God’s commandments and Jesus’
example every day. But we can also remember that in most of
the stories about God’s wrath, it comes only after people are
given many opportunities to turn back to Him.
I like to think that these readings, while harsh sounding, remind
us that there are times when we need to take a hard look at
where we are and what choices we are making in life. Those
are the times God is probably reaching out to us in some way
even though it may feel that He has abandoned us.
I pray today that we all may listen closely during those
challenging times and find our way home to God’s grace.
.
Friday, March 13th
Psalm 81:8–14
Hosea 14:1–9
Mark 12:28–34
Jan Kingsbury
“Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered “The
first is ‘Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One; and
you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart , and with
all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.
The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Many Jewish people have a small case fastened to their doorpost. Some even display them on inside doors. These cases
called mezuzah may be very simple or quite elaborate. They
can be made of all sorts of materials…wood, metal, glass,
ceramic, and even plastic. Inside the case is a small piece of
parchment on which is written some verses which include the
first commandment stated in today’s Gospel. Always part of
this is “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” This
simple statement is the essence of the Jewish faith and the mezuzah on the doorpost is a reminder of that relationship with God.
The practice of displaying a mezuzah on the doorway dates back
to Deuteronomy when God gave the 10 Commandments to
Moses. The Israelites were instructed to hold these laws in their
hearts and write them on their doorposts and gates.
What if we Christians were to have a similar daily reminder of
our faith? Some display the fish symbol on their homes or cars
while others wear jewelry crosses. Most of us, however, can go
through our daily routines without seeing any physical symbol
of our faith.
Take a moment to consider what you could us as your personal
“mezuzah.” I think this quote from Psalm 121 would make a
wonderful summary: “The Lord shall preserve thy going out and
thy coming in from this time forth, and forevermore.”
Saturday, March 14th
Psalm 51:15–20
Hosea 6:1–6
Luke 18:9–14
Vardis Gaus
Praising God and asking for redemption are what I read in these
passages. In both the Psalm and Hosea we hear how God is not
wanting the “burnt offerings” unless we are willing to come to
him and ask for our “wrongness” or sins to be forgiven. To me
this means acknowledging that we are not anything more than
sinners. In the Psalm this is further emphasized when the
psalmist says that God will again accept the burnt offerings
when all is right again in Zion and Jerusalem are right again,
this means the people’s hearts are in the right place. In the
Gospel of Luke, this is again reiterated. Jesus is telling the
parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the
temple. The Pharisee was praying and exalting his own
righteousness. The tax collector was at a distance
acknowledging his sins. Jesus pointed out that the tax collector
went home justified. Why? Because he acknowledged God and
asked for the forgiveness and all the Pharisee could do is tell
God what the Pharisee was good at. The Pharisee did not
acknowledge God nor did he admit himself having any sins.
This makes me think of those who pray the sinner’s prayer. This
simple prayer acknowledges God and asks for forgiveness. This
is why our Lord Jesus came to earth and prayed, so that all of us
can acknowledge God and be forgiven as well. Let us all say the
sinner’s prayer and praise
“Dear Lord Jesus,
I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I
believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust
and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and
help me to do your will.
In your name, Amen.”
Monday, March 16th
Psalm 30:1–6,11–13
Isaiah 65:17–25
John 4:43–54
Liz Allotta
The title of John 4:43–54 is “Jesus Heals the Official’s Son.”
This story takes place just after Jesus spoke to the Samaritan
woman at the well and then spent two days preaching and
converting many people there. In this new story Jesus has
traveled back to Cana in Galilee, the site of his first miracle of
turning the water into wine. A royal official, whom we assume
is an official in Herod’s service, begs Jesus to come to
Capernaum and heal his son who is very ill. As we hear in
many other passages Jesus comments, “Unless you people see
miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe.” But the
official persists for he does believe and Jesus sends him home
saying his son has been healed. After several days of travel the
official arrives home to find his son completely healed and the
royal official and his entire household then believed. This is
Jesus’s second miracle after he returns from Judea to Galilee.
What does this story say to us? Does it make us question our
belief, why we believe? We have not had the opportunity to
actually see any of the miracles of Jesus, nor have we have the
opportunity to see Jesus in the flesh and hear him preach. Yet
we believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God, who came to
save us from our sins. Now is that faith or insanity, hope or
misguided foolishness? I think it is faith. And the Psalm and
Isaiah readings for today remind us that God will bring us from
weeping to joy, He will show us a new heaven and a new earth,
and our voices should praise the Lord forever. Amen.
Thursday, March 19th
Psalm 106:6–7,19–23
Exodus 32:7–14
John 5:30–47
Peggy Way
“They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that
eats grass.” Psalm 106: 20
Not only does the verse above describe exactly what was
happening with the Israelites and the golden calf at the foot of
Mt. Siani, but also moments in my life when I have put my
idols before my time with God. God had been giving the
Israelites what they needed, but all along, they desired that He
give them what they wanted.”
These last 2 months, I’ve had physical challenges, a loss, and a
sense of being overwhelmed. If I had just “let go and let God,”
I would have had a more spiritual holiday.
“If I’m truly His, not just in word but in heart, then His desires
for me will grow larger than my own selfishness.” (Erin
Marshall) I realize now that I have idolized my good health, my
beautiful dog, and my “stuff.” Some of the changes I have
made are: (1) to embrace my physical therapy and be thankful
my insurance pays for it, (2) letting my favorite long-haired
Dachshund with a pulmonary embolism go to be with God, and
(3) giving my “kids” all the stuff they want from my house now
rather than later.
I leave you with words from Lygon Stevens, a mountaineer,
who loved to climb mountains and meet God there. Her last
entry in her journal, before she perished in an avalanche were
“God is good, and He has a plan for our lives that is greater and
more blessed than the lives we pick out for ourselves. Thank
you, Lord, for bringing me this far and to this place. I leave the
rest—my future—in those same hands and say thank you.”
Friday, March 20th
Psalm 34:15–22
Wisdom 2:1a,12–24
John 7:1–2,10,25–30
Paul Titus
When I read this psalm, my first thought was to look for
examples of how I have seen this psalm manifested in the real
world, the one I personally observe. Have I seen ‘bad people’
struck down for performing deeds that humanity can
unequivocally say are reprehensible? Likewise, have I seen
people rewarded for performing deeds that are universally
good? The answer is no, so I decided to look at it another way.
I asked myself: who in my life do I admire, what attributes do
they possess, what are their habits, and what principles do they
live by? I also asked myself what they didn’t have, didn’t focus
on, and didn’t do.
Universally, those I admire work very hard, give of themselves
selflessly, know who they are, recognize their own shortfalls,
are comfortable with who they are but always strive to do
better, and do not judge a person’s value by how much money
they have. When I think of them, my first thoughts are of their
contributions to and impact on others; not how much money
they have, the size of their house, or the type of car they drive.
Their legacy can be seen in the people they have affected and
the principles they have passed on through their daily
interactions and consistent example.
Tuesday, March 17th
Psalm 46:1–8
Ezekiel 47:1–9,12
John 5:1–18
Vicki Dahn
What strikes me about all three of the readings for today is that
they all have water mentioned in them.
In the Psalm: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city
of God….”
In Ezekiel the whole lesson is about water. “Wherever the river
goes, every living creature that swarms will live….”
Then in John: “In Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool,
called in Hebrew Bethesda…. Sir I have no one to put me in
the pool….”
So I got to thinking about water. Water is mentioned several
hundred times in the Bible. When I Googled that question, it
said water was mentioned 722 times in the scriptures. I decided
it would be interesting to do a little research about that. Oh my
goodness; I had no idea how many meanings and connections
water has! The Living Water is the one that resonates with me
right now in our time of Lenten preparation. When we are
baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, it is with water. When we receive Holy Communion it is
with bread and wine and water.
On Ash Wednesday when we receive the ashes, what is said at
that time is, “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.” We
cannot live without water. either physically or spiritually.
Wednesday, March 18th
Psalm 145:8–19
Isaiah 49:8–15
John 5:19–29
Ann Dales
Psalm 145:8–9: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to
anger and abounding in steadfast Love. The Lord is good to all,
and His compassion is over all that He has made.” Oh what
wonderful news. Don’t you feel comforted to know that we
have such a tender, loving, and caring God?
Let’s take it down a few steps. What would our world be like if
the leaders of our countries embraced these same traits? Peace
would be ever so much more close and war so much farther
away.
Go down another step now. What would St. Chad’s be like if
our church embraced those same traits? Do we see St. Chad’s
as gracious and merciful, good to all? For me that answer is
“Yes, Yes, Yes!” In my recent times of surgery, St. Chad’s has
overwhelmingly embraced me with goodness. How about you?
Has St. Chad’s embraced you with friendship, love, and
support?
One more step—the last step down—do we embrace those
traits? Are we gracious, merciful, and slow to anger with our
friends, our neighbors, and our family? During this Lenten
season let’s make those traits our own personal goal. Life will
be better for all of us.
John 5:22: “Fear not, for not even the Father judges anyone, but
‘He has given all judgments to the Son.’”
So listen up. The good news is John 5:24: “Truly, truly, I say to
you, he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me, has
Eternal Life.”
Saturday, March 21st
Psalm 7:6–11
Jeremiah 11:18
John 7:37–52
Georgia Eustis
As a single parent, my mother worked full-time at Harvard
University, took buses and streetcars to get to work and back,
and life was difficult for her in these pre-war days before Pearl
Harbor. Rules and regulations were a given, as was the strict
code of obedience.
The gift on my twelfth birthday was a red bicycle. Wow! It
also came with a list of places where it was not to be ridden for
safety considerations. Household rules were yes or no, black or
white, no grays, no “maybes” or “perhaps”. One day that
summer friends invited me to join them for a matinee at the
movie house. We all rode bikes and parked them in the stalls.
Not until after the movie and before the ride home did I
consider the road taken as #1 on the no list for the bicycle.
Commonwealth Avenue had automobiles heading in all
directions, streetcars, and two rotaries. Unfortunately, my
Uncle John saw me do the deed and reported it to my mother.
Remorsefully I confessed and knew how deep my mother’s
disappointment was. Yet she hugged me, forgave me, and
allowed me time to repent. She also reminded me that every
action has a reaction and a consequence. The bike was taken
away and not returned until my 18th birthday, on my way to
college.
As David prayed for help, for mercy, for justice from a
righteous god, so did I. A partnership was formed that day and
has grown stronger each day for these many decades.
Monday, March 23rd
Psalm 23
Susanna 1–9,15–29,34–62
John 8:12–20
Jean Gough
In the Scriptures we hear God say, “I am who I am.” Countless
times He reminds us that He is present with us always, no
matter where we are and in whatever circumstances we find
ourselves. He will hear us whenever we pray and when we cry
out to him (as the Apochryphal heroine Susanna did in today’s
lesson) He will respond.
Jesus said, describing Himself at various times during his
ministry, “I am……
the door
the true vine
the living waters
the good shepherd (as in the beloved 23rd Psalm)
the bread of life
the light of the world (as in today’s portion of
John’s Gospel).
So then, as a child of God, who am I? How can/do I describe
myself? With the Lord’s help, who can/will I be? If I step out
of my comfort zone and try to break the chains of fear what can
my life become?
Dear God, give me the strength to live this day, reflecting on
your presence. Open the eyes of my soul to your will. Grant
me the courage to take the first step on the new path where you
are leading me. In Jesus name, I pray. AMEN.
Tuesday, March 24th
Psalm 102:15–22
Numbers 21:4–9
John 8:21–30
Georgia Eustis
When things In our lives seem to be so very splintered
externally and shattered internally, we cry out to GOD and
question his abandonment … or what appears to be
“abandonment” … of us. We know his expectations of us as
followers. We know the value of reading scriptures, to take to
heart all Christ has demonstrated based on the Old Testament.
It is as valid now as it was then.
The words and actions are meant for our instruction,
steadfastness, encouragement, and hope. All of us are more
than capable of helping to care for others … in our
neighborhood, our state, our country, and in other countries
where life is so frightening and so desperate.
GOD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We know there are
many more who are in need than we are ourselves. GOD will
answer our prayers to share who we are and what we can
contribute for the betterment of others, in His name, for His
people, with all in harmony so we may glorify His name and
praise the Lord who we have promised to follow so many years
ago at our baptism.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 25th
Psalm Canticle 2 or 13
Daniel 3:14–20,24–28
John 8:31–42
Father Phil Dougherty
“And you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”
With these words Jesus began a firestorm of an argument with
some of his followers who were among the Jewish faithful.
“Why would we need to be set free since we have never been
slaves?” they ask. The nature of “truth” is the crux of so much
dissension among believers.
I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “You shall know the truth
and the truth shall make you mad!” Irreverent as it may sound it
is very true when the truth you come to know is different from
the truth you have already accepted! In the Gospel of John a
conversation between Jesus and Pilate indicates that Pilate is
acquainted with this disconnect. When he asks Jesus if he is
indeed a king Jesus answers, “I came to testify to the truth.” I
imagine Pilate shaking his head in confusion and skepticism
when he responds, “What is truth?” To that question Jesus gives
no reply in the recorded event.
Back to our text for today, Jesus tells his followers if they
“continue in [his] word [they] will be truly his disciples.” Then,
while hanging around and listening to his teaching and
observing his life, they will find that the truth in their own
experience with Christ has set them free.
One of the guidance points for small groups that I lead is
“Speak your truth.” What can that mean? Isn't there one truth
that fits all? I have come to believe that as we continue in his
word a truth is revealed to us that fits our own journey into God.
Since no one has the entire picture we are each given a bit of the
truth that sets us free in our own experience. It really is the
process of becoming the follower, the disciple, that we are
intended to be—not someone else.
Saturday, March 28th
Psalm 85:1–7
Ezekiel 37:21–28
John 11:45–53
Margaret Edwards
One Kingdom, One King. In Ezekiel we hear that the Spirit of
God begins to prepare for the great reality that God will have a
sanctuary in the midst of His people and will dwell with them.
God promised to dwell with man on earth.
This part of the reading really struck me as such a warm feeling
for me as a Christian struggling with daily life. The promise of
God to each of us to be in our midst until the end of time is an
incredible gift that I do not know if I really appreciate. This is a
personal treasure that can make life easier at times; God is
saying that he will always be with us no matter what. How
often are we disappointed by others in our life who do not stand
by us or who are not available when we need help. We need
but rely on God at these times and remember the promise.
I am not walking through life alone. God is at my side and he
will never leave me. I want to nurture this relationship during
Lent and let the love and promises of God be a stronghold in
my life and my North Star.
My wish for each of us during this Lenten season is that our
individual life walks can be enhanced by this promise and that
each of us relies a bit more on God as our coach rather than this
very fallible world.
Monday, March 30th
Psalm 36:5–10
Isaiah 42:1–9
Mark 14:3–9
Franklin Halasz
Jesus is about to die. He knows it, the disciples know it even as
they resist the knowledge. Even an anonymous woman knows
it. She recognizes that she has no power to change the flow of
events, but she just can't let the chosen Servant of God (see the
Isaiah passage) go down to the dust like a criminal. So she has
done what she could: bought an expensive ointment to prepare
him for his death, in celebration of His life.
Jesus, for his part, is preparing to leave His life on earth by
eating a meal at a leper's house and continuing to teach His
followers the truths that emerge from each of the incidents in
His life. His single-minded focus on the lessons of life shines
out, even though the ointment must have been dripping down
his face and into the food before him.
Is this the same incident as in Luke 7:36? Certainly Jesus finds
a different lesson there.
Thursday, March 26th
Psalm 105:4–11
Genesis 17:1–8
John 8:51–59
Emily Vavra
"I am telling you the truth."
Jesus is still trying to convince the Pharisees that He is truly the
Son of God and has come from Him to bring light to the world.
In this time of Lent we look forward to more light in the spirit
and the earth as the days grow longer. The light of the spirit is
more important for us as we look closely to what Jesus is
bringing in His message.
All three of the readings for today make mention of Abraham
and his importance to God's plan. Jesus' reference to seeing
Abraham shows that He is truly the Son of God. He is willing
to make the sacrifice asked of Him at the crucifixion.
Friday, March 27th
Psalm 18:1–7
Jeremiah 20:7–13
John 10:31–42
Mardy Davis
In these readings David, Jeremiah, and Jesus all find themselves
in bad situations.
David and Jeremiah find unfailing strength in the Lord. He is
their true security. God hears their cry for help and comes to
their aid. He delivers them from the hands of their enemies.
I find when I call upon the Lord I have to be sure I am not
telling him what to do. If I can't let go of the problem he can't
fix it.
Jesus is once again trying to explain to the Jews who he is.
They hear him and recognize his deeds in general that are fine
and noble as well as the quality of his life, but they consider
his claims to be one with God blasphemous and continue to
attempt to stone him to death. He eludes them as Jesus could
not be killed before the appointed time.
As we get closer to God thru our actions during Lent may we
find God's unbounding strength.
Tuesday, March 31st
Psalm 71:1–12
Isaiah 49:1–6
Mark 11:15–19
Debra Kincaid
“The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my
mother's womb he named me.” (Isaiah 49:1)
One day as I’m running, I am inspired by a chain of thoughts
that leads to an idea for a story. Or, I get an email from
someone that I had just seen in a photo and I have the impulse
to call her for lunch; we reconnect and renew our old friendship.
Yet another day, I see a hawk in the air just as I am thinking of
my father and I wonder that hawks appear whenever his spirit is
close to me.
The same God who knew my name, that powerful symbol of
my identity, before I was even born is surely arranging the
interactions and events of my life to speak to me. He sends
events, large and small, to guide me in discovering his “calling”
for me. Before I was even born, He knew how my life would
best serve Him and the encounters, the challenges, the joys He
gives to me are guideposts for that life.
If there is comfort in knowing that we are on God’s perfect path
for us, there is also responsibility. He blessed us with
“memory, reason, and skill.” We can choose to ignore our inner
voice and consider the events of our lives as purely random. Or
we can listen and meditate and pray—and hear our name being
alled.
Wednesday, April 1st
Psalm 69:7–15, 22–23
Isaiah 50:4–9a
John 13:21–35
Mother Jan Hosea
“Love one another as I have loved you”
That is a tall order! Love each other the same way Jesus loved
us? Jesus loved us so completely that he lay down his life for
us. How can we give it our all? I believe that Jesus wants us to
be first of all in relationship with him. I know we talk about
that a lot, but what does having a relationship with Jesus look
like?
1. It means to be constantly mindful of God at work in our
lives. To rejoice when things are wonderful and give
Him Thanks. To rail at God when things seem
impossible. It also means to ask for forgiveness and
accept his mercy. This is not easy because we are
always so hard on ourselves.
2. Worship God in the fullness of who we are. Open ourselves to the wonders of the mystery of the Eucharist
and other sacraments of the church and take it all in. It
means taking God with us, always. Using “God
language” in everyday life. Not being afraid to say
God’s name in front of other people.
3. To be in relationship to God, we must first be in
relationship with those around us. God encourages us to
reach out to those in need and offer a hand up. A smile,
a gift bag, a cup of coffee or a handshake can do
wonders for an individual and help us.
4. Finally, pray! Prayer changes us. As we pray we
transcend to God and God reaches out to pull us in.
PRAY: Gratefully, hopefully and regularly.
May you feel the living God during this Holy Week and for
evermore in new and amazing ways!
In the name of the one who first loved us.
Maundy Thursday, April 2nd
Psalm 78:14–20, 22–25
Exodus 12:1–14a
Luke 22:14–30
Bernice Dicks
The LORD God establishes the feast of Passover with specific
instructions for the day and night before the Exodus is to begin for “it
is the LORD’s Passover.” That very night the LORD will strike
down every first-born, human males and animals, but will pass over
the homes of the Hebrews that were properly marked with blood
(v. 13).
My commentary notes that “This event serves as a beautiful
illustration of the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary
…” (Ryrie Study Bible). And for the Hebrews this day is to be
remembered and celebrated forever “as a festival to LORD—a lasting
ordinance.”
Asaph, continuing his telling of Hebrew history with the pillars of
cloud and fire and the abundant water from split desert rocks, reminds
them that the people continued in their sinful and rebellious ways,
even putting God “to the test by demanding the food they craved.”
Asaph observes at the end of this sequence that the LORD “was very
angry….” It is now Passover in Jerusalem, and Jesus and the
disciples are gathered around the table in the “upper room” (v. 12)
that Jesus had told them they would find.
We have traveled from the institution of the Passover “festival to the
LORD” to the Last Supper that we celebrate every Sunday according
to our Savior’s instructions: for the bread, “this is my body given for
you; do this in remembrance of me.” And for the wine, as given by
Paul, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever
you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (I Cor. 11: 25-26)
In eating the bread and drinking the wine, Paul assures us, we
“proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
AMEN. AMEN. ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
Good Friday, April 3rd
Psalm 22:1–21
Genesis 22:1–18
John 19:1–37
Joyce King
The cruelty of those responsible for the humiliation and killing
of Jesus who, though innocent, suffered unbearable pain and
exposure to savagery and endured the apparent abandonment of
God in his last moments of crucifixion agony is an extremely
bleak part of the Bible. It is hard to feel consoled by frequent
reminders in John that all was done to fulfill the Scriptures. I
find it a harsh reminder that these very dark moments denuded
of any hopeful light ahead are essential to our salvation. I have
to understand that it is the depth of our compassion to take this
despondency into the most sensitively fragile, but miraculously
agile, corners of our soul able to discern the vision that reveals
the brightness of God’s final saving grace.
Easter Vigil ~ Saturday, April 4th
Psalm 130
Job 14:1–14
John 19:38–42
Mother Jan Hosea
On Holy Saturday we wait. Our Gospel says that Jesus was
“laid in the tomb.” 1 Peter reminds us that the Gospel is
preached “even to those who are dead” and Psalm 131 speaks of
“forgiveness and plentiful redemption.”
This is the day that Jesus descended to Hell. (Apostles Creed)
As we wait for the resurrection of our Lord, we understand that
on this day long ago Jesus is dead and is no longer walking the
earth. He is completing his work of taking the Gospel to the
dead and sharing “Hope and plentiful redemption.”
Quiet……this is a solemn quiet day entreating us to trust in our
faith and remember the path our Lord had to take.
The notion that Jesus descended to the dead, to Hell, for the
purpose of freeing all from ultimate death in which we were all
held captive is emptiness of today. Empty for the loss of our
Lord, yet full for the redemptive work he did. In feeling the
fullness of today we may sense emptiness. His descent through
the cross gives us freedom from sin and life eternal. There is
nothing empty in in the resurrection!
Today we wait in quiet contemplation knowing what tomorrow
brings.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
I am the
Resurrection
and the Life
John 11:25
St. Chad’s Episcopal Church
7171 Tennyson NE
Albuquerque NM 87122
(505) 856-9200
[email protected]
www.stchadsabq.org