The Collect
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Reading
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”
He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” - Luke 9:18-35
Meditation By Sara Vale
So our Lenten journey begins. We are reminded that we are dust and to dust we shall return. In this Lenten season, we are at a point that is so pivotal. Do we really want to turn from our sins of omission and commission and walk in the direction of holiness? Do we say an unequivocal NO! to that which becomes our little gods? You know what I mean – the contempt, the sarcasm, the judgment, the addictions, the gossip, all the behaviors that hurt myself and others. There is a genuine profound sorrow when I own my sinfulness. It’s not a comfy feeling. Yet it is a bone fide starting place. When I humble myself and feel the pain of disappointing myself, others and God, I can begin my journey to the Cross. It is there I offer my flawed humanity to my Creator and ask for forgiveness and healing. That’s where the GRACE is. That’s where Christ meets me – holding me in arms of love, forgiveness, healing and redemption.
“If any wants to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
Let us Pray
Gracious Creator, help us in this Lenten season to find the space and solitude to claim our true self – the good, the bad and the ugly and offer it to you for healing. Give us the strength to choose to be your followers knowing we cannot begin to do so without your amazing grace – the grace that takes us as we are and makes us worth in your sight. Amen