Lent 2010 #39

Matthew 27:57-66

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. ⁵⁹So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth ⁶⁰and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. ⁶¹Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. ⁶²The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate ⁶³and said, 'Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, "After three days I will rise again." ⁶⁴Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, "He has been raised from the dead", and the last deception would be worse than the first.' ⁶⁵Pilate said to them, 'You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.' ⁶⁶So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

THOUGHTS:

So can you believe it is Easter eve?  We are about to celebrate the most important day of the Christian year and one of the most important days in human history.  For me Lent has flown by.  It seems like just yesterday when I was enjoying Fat Tuesday Pancakes and receiving Ash Wednesday Ashes.  Now we have celebrated the Last Supper, remembered the Crucifixion, and prepare to celebrate the Resurrection.

When I read the above passage, I am reminded of several things I would like to share.  First I am reminded of the passion play.  I had the privilege of seeing The Passion play in Oberammergau, Germany.  Every ten years this city puts the play together that is shown dozens of times.  It is a two day marathon, in which hundreds of people pack an outdoor stage to watch.  It is presented in German, but comes across with a universal understanding.  People come from all over the world just to see this play.  Seeing the way everyone in this small country town come together around the story of Christ, has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

I can't help but think of Paul Harvey when I read these verses.  We know parts of the story, (we know the whole story in fact) but now we are filling in or being reminded of the details.  Christ was dead.  His body prepared for burial and then placed in a sealed tomb.  Tomorrow we will be able to say; now we "know the rest of the story".


PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice of Christ.  Allow us to finish Lent on a high note, and have a meaning full Easter. Amen.

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Thoughts by Christopher Bergtholdt, a Senior at George Mason University involved with LCM-GMU

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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Lent 2010 #39

John 19:16b-30

So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.  There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.  Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross.  It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."  Many of the Jews read this inscription because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and In Greek.  Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do no write, 'The King of the Jews,' but, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'"  Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."  When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier.  They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.  So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it."  This was to fulfill what the scripture says, "They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots."  And that is what the soldiers did.

     Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother and disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son."  Then he said to the disciple, "here is your mother."  And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

     After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty."  A jar full of sour wine was standing there.  So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.  When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished."  Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

THOUGHTS: 

Sometimes it's unexpected and they are missed all together.  Sometimes however, they are held dear because they are intentional words of love.  Sometimes they are words of forgiveness or redemption.  Sometimes they are words of thankfulness.  Sometimes, they are words of hope.  What I am writing about are the last words of a loved one who has passed on.

     As a pastor I have had opportunities to be with friends and families as they have watched their husband, parent, or friend breathe their last breath.  People hold onto every word spoken and move made.  A depth of emotion is shared.  It is perhaps one of the most intimate experiences to share with another.

     In many ways, Jesus' death on the cross was very different.  He died a prisoner's death.  He was hung on a cross for all to sneer and jeer at with cruel words and laughter.  His was not an intimate setting where loved ones gathered closely around singing gentle songs and praying prayers for peace.  Remember, most of his disciples had scattered.  Instead, Jesus was surrounded by soldiers who mocked him and made a game out of dividing up his garments and ironically placed a crown of thorns on his head and sign above Him that said "King of the Jews."

     Jesus spoke His final words from the cross, recorded in the gospels.  Though He suffered greatly and was treated so poorly, Jesus' last words expressed love and care – "Woman, behold your son and son behold your mother."  They too were words of forgiveness – "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."  They too were words of redemption – "Today, you will be with me in paradise."

     They also were words of hope - "It is finished."  Yes, Jesus, in His death, had accomplished what He came to do, to carry our sins to the cross.  "It is finished" is what He spoke on the cross and three days later, we learn "it is finished" has made the words "It has just begun" possible for us to say.

     Death is not the last word.  Life is because of Jesus' willingness to die for us.                  


PRAYER:

Dear Lord, as we reflect on the sacrifices you were willing to go through for us, help us to be truly thankful for your saving act of love on the cross.  Give us strength too to speak words of love, forgiveness, and hope to those whom we encounter each day.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

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Thoughts by Rev. Darcy Percy, Associate Pastor, Lord of Life Lutheran Church (Fairfax, VA)

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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Lent 2010 #38

Exodus 12:1-14 (NRSV)

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

THOUGHTS:

As Christians, we believe that is was not a mere coincidence that Jesus was crucified on the day before the Passover (see John 19:14,31), the same day that the Passover lambs were being slaughtered.  The blood of Jesus smeared on the cross on that hillside outside Jerusalem is effectively smeared on the doorposts of the universe.  Jesus is the sacrificial lamb, without blemish.  The blood of Jesus is the sign on our world that we are all God's people, God's beloved children.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for your mercy.  Today, and everyday, we remember your grace.  Help us to live out your grace and mercy, sharing your love with all those we meet.  In the holy name of Jesus the Christ we pray, AMEN.

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Thoughts by Ben Buss, Lutheran Campus Minister at George Mason University

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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Lent 2010 #37

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 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. 3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

THOUGHTS:

We have entered into Holy Week, and during this week there is a lot to consider. In fact the darkness and brokenness of our world can be overwhelming.  So from where do we gain strength?  "Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith," and considering "him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners..." This week we are invited, we are called to look to Jesus....considering him who took on the darkness, took on our brokenness that we can not withstand, so that we will persevere in faith and hope.  And in this time of consideration, this week of Christ's Passion, we know we are never alone but surrounded by "so great a cloud of witnesses" and the very center himself, Jesus Christ.  As we journey further into this week of passion, may we look to the center and "consider him" and draw strength from the one who took on all of the world's death and darkness, in order that we may live fully.  Consider him, Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, resting in the strength that is found only in him.

PRAYER:

Jesus Christ, you have taken on our brokenness and darkness.  As we journey this week, remembering the gift of life you have given all on the cross, may we look to you, consider you, and know you as the source of strength in our life. Amen.

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Thoughts by Rev. Kim Conway, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church (Dale City)

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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Lent 2010 # 29

Hebrews 10:19-25 (The Inclusive Bible):

Therefore, sisters and brothers, since the blood of Jesus makes us confident to enter the holy place by the new and living path opened for us through the veil - that is to say, the body of Jesus - and since we have the supreme high priest presiding over the house of God, let us enter it filled with faith and with sincerity in our hearts, our hearts sprinkled and cleared from any trace of bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the One who made the promise is faithful.
Let us always think how we can stimulate each other to love and good works. Don't stay away from the meetings of the community, as some do, but encourage one another; and do this all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

THOUGHTS:

The Holy Place in the Tabernacle, and later in Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, was separated from the people by a one-to-two foot thick curtain. Only the priests could enter. This was no thin veil that ripped when Christ died. Think of the dividers that are used to split off large meeting rooms, and imagine them twice as thick! That's quite a barrier between God and the people.

God, of course, is present in and with all creatures and places, but when a place is set apart as sacred, particularly by many people and for a long period of time, it develops a certain air of holiness, if you will. God declared a particular dwelling in the Holy of Holies. It is interesting to observe that this residing place was essentially a box - the one thing we are NOT supposed to put God in. This box was special though. Instead of a box that keeps God limited, sterile, and safely hating only the sins of the people we hate and not our own, the Ark of the Covenant kept God hidden, unknown.

Jesus changed all that. Instead of unknowable and distant, the Trinity adopted us. We are not only family to other believers - the Creator of the universe calls us family. If someone told you Obama was their second cousin, that would probably come across with thoughts that this person must "have it made, " knowing someone that powerful and being a relative on top of it. How much more the God who created the universe? And we are God's relatives - and we can now relate to God, since God came down to our level and took on human flesh. The blood of Christ and the water of Baptism are free gifts which have been given to us to cleanse us. We may now approach our new Family, not seen as the weak people we sometimes are - for this is covered in love - but rather as a child of grace, adopted by the Holy Spirit. We are called to the radical power of love, of forgiveness, for we have been forgiven and made heirs to the kingdom where Love reigns eternal.

God has left the box.

PRAYER:

Abba, we enter your presence today, not as strangers but as family. We rejoice that we have been given the opportunity to really, truly know You, and also to know and love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Amen.

--
Thoughts by Victoria Meixell, student at George Mason University

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran
Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/
DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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Lent 2010 #19

Psalm 39 (NRSV)

I said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue;
       I will keep a muzzle on my mouth
               As long as the wicked are in my presence."

I was silent and still; I held my peace to no avail;
       My distress grew worse, my heart became hot within me.
               While I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

"Lord, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days;
       Let me know how fleeting my life is.
               You have made my days a few handbreadths,
                       And my lifetime is as nothing in your sight.

Surely everyone stands as a mere breath.
       Surely everyone goes about like a shadow.
               Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
                       They heap up, and do not know who will gather.

And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

Deliver me from all my transgressions.
       Do not make me the scorn of the fool.
               I am silent; I do not open my mouth,
                       Or it is you who have done it.

Remove your stroke from me; I am worn down by the blows of your hand.

You chastise mortals in punishment for sin,
       Consuming like a moth what is dear to them;
               Surely everyone is a mere breath.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry;
       Do not hold your peace at my tears.
               For I am your passing guest, an alien, like all my forebears.

Turn your gaze away from me, that I may smile again,
       Before I depart and am no more."

THOUGHTS:

I have from time to time been inspired by the third chapter of James to try to "tame my tongue."  So I aim for wit that is less sharp, less directed at others, less likely to incite anger or shame in others.  Invariably these efforts fall short:  Just when I think I've got things under control, I let my guard down, open my mouth, and something comes out that I REALLY regret.

Though the Psalmist bites his tongue for a different reason, I recognize the same tension building the longer I keep my mouth shut: A strong sense of mortality and sinfulness, as I am left alone with nothing but my own thoughts rattling around my head.  And just as the Psalmist concludes, I want God to turn away from me and my guilt and shame.

Only one thing turns the gaze away, of course, and the price is unimaginably high.  On the cross, Jesus turns our mortality and sinfulness upon himself.  Beholding that sight, we might want to try to do it for ourselves instead.  Step in and save him the trouble—it's our fault, after all, not his.  But to no avail.  Only the cross is enough; only the Son's sacrifice is enough.

So like the Psalmist, we do finally keep silence before the awesome majesty of God.  And then we cannot keep our mouths shut any longer, so we open our hearts and mouths and cry, "Deliver us!"  We wait for our Lord and place our hope solely in him.

PRAYER: 

Let us pray:  God, our Creator and Redeemer, we cannot tame our worst habits by our own power, but by your power you blot out our offenses, and strengthen us to overcome them.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  Amen

--
Thoughts by Jon Myers, ELCA seminarian at Princeton Theological Seminary

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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Lent 2010 #10

Matthew 23:37-39 (NRSV)

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

REFLECTION:

The contrast between harsh and tender in this passage really strikes me. On one hand, Jerusalem "kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it", but on the other hand, Jesus longs to gather us "together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings". Jesus tells us that if we allow Him to gather us together, God will give us comfort and strength against the harsher parts of life, and we will have each other in community, under the wings of God, for support. So let us say "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord (verse 39)" and return to our Mother Hen to be kept safe.

PRAYER:

Comforting God, help us to listen to your call, and be gathered up in your wings together; so that we can have strength, comfort, and support on our journeys. AMEN.

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Thoughts by Anna Jones, Sophomore at George Mason University involved with Lutheran Campus Ministry

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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Lent 2010 #5 - True faith

Matthew 15:21-28 (NRSV)

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.


THOUGHTS:

"Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. (verse 28)

Often we are afraid to ask for help. We fear that we are undeserving or that the help will not be delivered. Yet the woman in this story is a striking example of how powerful our pleas to God can be. Despite not being an Israelite, one of God's chosen people, she had faith that even the "crumbs" of God's grace would be sufficient to cure her daughter.

PRAYER:

Awesome God, may be too have the faith to intently and expectantly make our pleas to you. Amen.

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Thoughts by participants in the Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran
Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/
DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/
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Lent 2010 - First Sunday - Temptations

Sundays are not part of a Lenten fast, but are always feast days -- celebrations of the resurrection, for we know the tomb is empty. See more on this concept at:

http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com/2008/02/first-sunday-in-lent.html

and

http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com/2009/03/lent-2009-first-sunday.html

When these devotions were my Lenten practice, I marked this by doing something distinctly different on Sundays -- but this year, we won't have that distinction to enable more authors to share thoughts with you. Enjoy!

Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV)

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ²where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. ³The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." ⁴Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" ⁵Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. ⁷If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours."⁸Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" ⁹Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' ¹¹and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" ¹²Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" ¹³When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

THOUGHTS:
Much has been written on these temptations of Jesus. I remember growing up thinking that they were special challenges for God's son -- things that were only meaningful temptations because Jesus had superhero abilities and divine connections. I mean, I can't turn stones into food. I'm not sure I can even process being given all of the kingdoms of the world. If I jumped off of a skyscraper, I would expect to meet the pavement rather than God's hand.
Over time, my views of these temptations has changed, and they really came home recently when reading some devotions written by Father Richard Rohr. He says that these are the temptations we *ALL* must face. He says that the temptation to turn stones in to food is about "our need to be immediately impressive and effective, successful, relevant, and make things happen right now. It is our natural desire to look good." Oh, I guess I can relate to that. I like to have my finger on the pulse of what is going on, and to quickly solve any problems I encounter. I always want my work to be top notch. I face this temptation all the time. Instead of filling the immediate need, maybe I need to be more patient, to trust in God and others more, and to dig deeper into the meaning of my daily actions.
The second temptation is the only place in the Bible where the devil quotes scripture. Father Richard points out that "Holy words can be used for evil purposes, it surely says. This second temptation is to think of yourself as saved, superior to others, the moral elite on the side of God and religion, and to quote arguable Scriptures for your own purpose—being against God in the name of God. Actually it is quite common. .... It is the common temptation of actually loving ourselves under the guise of loving God." I also face times when it is tempting to focus on the scriptures that support my view, while shying away from those that seem to contradict it. I've fallen into playing righteousness games where I feel like someone else is wrong, but that I know what God wants. Instead, keep in mind these world of Mother Teresa: "We were not created to be successful, but to be obedient." Maybe I need to focus on loving, and listening to, God more.
The third temptation, according to Father Richard, "is the need for control, importance, and power. The devil tells Jesus to bow down before the power systems of this world ...Make these into your actual belief and security system." Sometimes, it is so hard not to be in control. I like to rely upon myself with rugged american individualism. I want to know that we can spin the situation around. I want to ensure that I never need charity from anyone else. This isn't following Christ, who wandered without a home and relied on the generosity of others. This third temptation tells us that the cost of aligning our beliefs around worldly control is equivalent to bowing down and worshiping the devil. I indeed may need to reexamine my actions, to loosen my grip on controlling my life.
In your life, how do you face the temptations that Jesus faced?


PRAYER:
God of all holiness. Help us to overcome the power of these temptations, to trust in you with our hearts and lives, and to follow you with every step. In the name of your Son, Jesus the Christ, we pray, AMEN.
--

Thoughts by Ben Buss, Lutheran Campus Minister at George Mason University (and inspiration from Father Richard Rohr)

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran
Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/
DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/
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Feel free to share them with your friends!

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Lent 2010 #4 - Walk while you have the light

John 12:27-36 ("The New Testament and Psalms: An Inclusive Version")

²⁷"Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—'Mother-Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. ²⁸Mother-Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." ²⁹The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." ³⁰Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. ³¹Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. ³²And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." ³³He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. ³⁴The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Human One must be lifted up? Who is this Human One?" ³⁵Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. ³⁶While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.


THOUGHTS:
"Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you," Jesus says. And then, as if to prove his point, the lights in my bedroom wink out. A fuse is blown, so down three flights of stairs I go to check the circuit breakers in this old house where I live with five other Lutheran Volunteer Corps volunteers. Every LVC house has a name, and my housemates and I named our home the Wellstone House in honor of Shelia and Senator Paul Wellstone, progressive politicians in Minnesota who died in a plane crash in 2003 and who reflected the kind of light that Jesus speaks of in this passage-- as much as they could have, at least.
I'm relieved to see that Jesus also has trouble in his soul; its often difficult, especially in this sunshine-scarce Minnesota winter, for me to remember that I am not the only one who struggles. Jesus, a few verses before these, made the connection between a life of service and a life of sacrifice-- even to the point of death. But will that upcoming hour of sacrifice, that last witness to love in the midst of violence, do any good? And I wonder, too, about whether the joys that accompany living in intentional community are worth the painful pieces or whether the draining work I do to lighten the burdensome loads of other makes any difference. Does any of this glorfiy God's name, to use Jesus' phrase?
God's reply to Jesus resonates like thunder: I have glorified my name, and I will glorify it again. God, who has in the past stood in solidarity with those who labor for justice in love, also stands with us. Our actions matter, our lives matter, our sacrifices matter.
So for now I will try to walk in whatever light comes my way, relfecting the love of God and illuminating the way of shalom. During this Lenten season, I hope to get an inkling about what it might mean to be a child of this light-- to live as God's own beloved, whose name is glorified and whose light is reflected by my life.


PRAYER:
God who is faithful to all times, Christ who draws all people to yourself, Spirit who moves all the earth: accompany me on this journey towards justice and peace. May your light and love make the path visible to me, and to others through me by your unfathomable grace. Thank you. Amen.

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Ben Masters is a graduate of George Mason University and an alum of Lutheran Campus Ministry at GMU. He is currently working at Open Arms of Minnesota in Minneapolis, through Lutheran Volunteers Corps and is a proud member of the Wellstone House.

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:
Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran
Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/
DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/
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Lent 2009 #40: Holy Saturday

Psalm 22:1-2,14-19 
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;
15 my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shriveled;
17 I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid!

THOUGHTS:

This Psalm starts with words later uttered by Jesus while hanging on the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Have you ever felt forsaken by God"

Does it ever feel like God is far away?

Today, we remember the Sabbath that Jesus spent dead ... in Hell according to some interpretations.

It's the epitome of being far away from God.  

Today, we contemplate how Jesus (God incarnate) suffered complete separation from his own divine nature.  

Our understanding is that Jesus did this so we wouldn't have to ... that in ways we can at best comprehend only abstractly, his death puts us into a better relationship with God.

Today, we allow ourselves to deal with our fear of being completely cut off from God.  Yet, we are not overcome with despair because there is hope ... a promise of new life around the corner.

PRAYER (adapted from "Lutheran Book of Prayer" Concordia Publishing House, 1970:

     Lord God almighty, we are silenced at the grave of your son.  We confess that a great mystery confronts us.  By faith we know that he who died is the one who unlocked the great secret of your love.  His tomb is our tomb.  He carried with him to the grave our sin and our death that he might break their hold on us.  

     Trusting in our Lord's promise to rise again, we come not to mourn, but to confess the sin that he would leave buried.  Have mercy on us!  Grant us the Easter faith that anticipates with joy the day on which, in him, we too come forth from the tomb to truly live.  We pray in his name and for his sake.  Amen.

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REMINDER: Carpool to worship with us (meet at SUB 1 room 207).  Email lutheran@gmu.edu if you have questions.

4/12 - EASTER: Meet at 10:25am to carpool to a local Lutheran congregation for Easter worship!

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These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University .  Feel free to share them with your friends!  For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran  

You can subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.com