Mary Magdalene, the one from whom seven demons had been exorcised by Jesus, comes to the tomb to prepare her Lord’s body for permanent burial.  We can only imagine the heaviness of her heart as she considers his torture and horrible death on the cross.  How could God allow such a senseless loss!  Her grief is compounded when she discovers that his body is missing!  But then her horror and grief are transformed into relief and joy when the resurrected Jesus greets her in person and calls her by name.  God transforms humanity’s cruel form of capital punishment into a way of salvation; and God claims victory over death itself!  He has risen!  He has risen indeed!  Alleluia!

Prayer: May the certainty of resurrection, O Lord, give us the hope-filled perspective we need to face the lows and highs of daily life.

2^nd Sunday of Easter: John 20:19-31

It was Easter evening when Jesus made his appearance to the ten disciples who were hiding behind locked doors “for fear of the Jews”.  Notice that he proclaims, “Peace be with you” two times: when he first appears and then as he breathes on them the Holy Spirit and commissions them to continue his ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Eight days later he appears again for the sake of Thomas and gladly shows him his crucifixion scars as he had for the other disciples to prove that he really had risen from the dead.  True peace is ours thanks to God’s victory over sin, death, and the power of evil!

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit!  Revive your Church!  Begin with me!

3^rd Sunday of Easter: Luke 24:36b-48

Imagine being one of those travelers on the way to Emmaus: confused, heart-broken, disillusioned, and defeated.  Then to encounter – without knowing it – the crucified and resurrected Lord himself!  They finally recognize him when he changes his role from guest to host by taking the bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it to them.  This Holy Communion in light of his interpretation of all the scriptures (Old Testament) makes their “hearts burn within” and gives them and us an encounter with the Lord that will live on forever!

Prayer: As we read the scriptures, worship, and celebrate communion, make our hearts burn within us, Lord.

4^th Sunday of Easter: John 10:11-18

Jesus fulfills Old Testament promises that God himself will come to shepherd his people.  Not only does the Good Shepherd feed us and protect us; he even gives up his own life for us!  He is also continually looking to rescue lost sheep.  That pretty well describes the ministry he has passed on to us: to take care of the flock and to seek and save the ones who have strayed.

Prayer: Keep us safe and secure within your flock, O Lord, and empower us to reach out to those who have strayed away or who have never known your love and care.

5^th Sunday of Easter: John 15:1-8

The true Vine is the very source of life for us branches.  Christ holds us up, supports us, feeds us, prunes us, and empowers us to grow and produce fruit.  How do we branches stay firmly connected to the Vine?  Regular worship, prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship, and daily ministry help keep us connected.  Retreat ministry plays a vital role in fostering renewal and inspiration for individuals and congregations as well.

Prayer: Keep us connected, loving Vine; prune us as needed; and give us a renewed appreciation of fellow branches.

6^th Sunday of Easter: John 15:9-17

The commandments may be summarized in one sentence: “Love God; and love your neighbor as yourself.”  Obviously we fall short every day in carrying this out.  That’s why Jesus died i.e. to forgive us for our constant failures.  But his death and resurrection give us a new perspective of the Commandments: we GET TO love God and our neighbor as a way of saying thank you to Jesus.  Every day is an opportunity to start afresh and to love again.

Prayer: Empower us to love God and our neighbors, Holy Spirit, and to experience the joy that comes with giving of ourselves.

The Ascension of our Lord: Luke 24:44-53

The last time I saw my father he was being loaded into a private plane to be flown back home to Montanafrom Minnesota.  His body was emaciated and yellow from the cancer that was consuming him; but his parting words were in stark contrast to his appearance:
“The peace of the Lord be with you!”  The disciples would certainly remember their last time with the crucified and resurrected Lord: how he ate fish with them and how he opened their minds to understand the ancient scriptures and how his ministry, death, and resurrection fulfilled them.  They would also surely remember how he commissioned them to continue his ministry of repentance and forgiveness.  Then he ascended; but they were filled with a joy that has continued to be passed on through the ages!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us again with the joy the disciples/apostles experienced when they watched our Lord return to heaven.

7^th Sunday of Easter: John 17:6-19

In his high priestly prayer Jesus prays for his disciples (including us) that they may be one as are the Father and Son, have joy, be victorious over the evil one, and fulfill their mission of representing Christ to the world.  What a comfort to know that our Lord prayed for us (and continues to do so)!

Prayer: May your prayer be ours, O Lord, and may we experience the oneness, joy, and victory you have won for us as we carry out the ministry you have given us.

1^st Sunday in Lent: Mark 1:9-15

Jesus…“saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him” (vs. 10).  The same Greek word is used in Mark 15:38 where it says: “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (just after Jesus died on the cross).  Here is an important connection between Jesus’ baptism and his death.  God is baptizing his Son to die for us!  Immediately after his baptism (commissioning), he is driven by the Holy Spirit to be tested in the desert (just as the Israelites had been in the Old Testament).  Then, having passed the test, he begins his public ministry urging repentance and proclaiming the Gospel.  John the Baptizer’s death is also a foreshadowing of what is to happen to Jesus.  Then Jesus calls the first disciples: fishermen whom he will train to be evangelists.  Notice the word “immediately” (NRSV & RSV).  It is used often in the Gospel of Mark.  There is a sense of urgency.  This ministry of Christ is vital and crucial for the whole world!

Prayer: Gracious God, as we begin this Lenten season take our hand and lead us slowly to the cross; so that we may take the time to consider the wideness of your mercy and the great depth of your love.  Amen.

2^nd Sunday in Lent: Mark 8:31-38

This event happens just after Peter made his famous confession: “You are the Messiah” (8:29).  What a turnabout!  Now Jesus calls Peter “Satan” for setting his mind on human things rather than on divine things.  We can’t blame Peter can we?  He loved Jesus; and  he couldn’t stand the thought of losing him!  But God’s plan was in place and no one was going to change its course.  In the very next chapter (9) Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him to the top of a mountain where God shows them that Jesus is truly the Messiah.  This glimpse of divine truth would be an important point of reference and assurance when Jesus would be crucified.

Prayer: Holy Father, we give you thanks for sacrificing your beloved Son for us in the greatest gift exchange ever made: his innocent life for our rebellious ways!  Amen.

3^rd Sunday in Lent: John 2:13-22

This isn’t a mere protest against church bake sales and fundraising events.  This was Jesus taking on the whole sacrificial system that was holdingIsraelcaptive!  The commercialization in the courtyard of theTemplewas symptomatic of the underlying illness.  The Jewish leaders and people were so caught up in making adequate sacrifices, they had lost sight of the great love and mercy of God.  There religion had become a “do-it-yourself” endless list of “dos and don’ts”.  They were in desperate need of a Savior; and so are we!

Prayer: Foil all of our attempts to reach you on our own, O God; and bring us once again to the foot of cross where we can appreciate anew what you have done for us!  Amen.

4^th Sunday in Lent: John 3:14-21

I like to think of God as a salvager who picks out the worst wrecked car in the junkyard and takes it into his shop, pounds out the dents, overhauls the engine and transmission, paints and polishes the body; and as it drives by heads turn and people ooh and aah at the sight.  Thank God for his amazing grace and mercy!

Prayer: We are so grateful, Lord, for your awesome love and power to salvage us!  Amen.

5^th Sunday in Lent: John 12:20-33

God’s ways are not our ways – thank God!  Christ’s death means new life for us and for all of creation!  As we approach the holiest week of the Church year, may we contemplate what it means that God “planted” his Son for us.

Prayer:  As we fix our eyes and hearts on your suffering death, O Lord, may we come to a renewed appreciation of the profound depth of your love and the wonderful wideness of your mercy.  Amen.

Palm/Passion Sunday: Mark 11:1-11 and Mark 14:1-15:47

The triumphal entry into Jerusalem (“city of peace”), the Last Supper, the betrayal by Judas, Jesus’ prayers in Gethsemane, the arrest, the phony allegations by the chief priests,  the interrogation, the denial by Peter and the abandonment by the rest of the disciples,  Jesus before Pilate; the crowd crying “Crucify him!  Crucify him!”; the stripping, the mocking and the whipping of Christ and finally the crucifixion…all these events are vivid reminders of God’s passionate love and willingness to take the world’s sinfulness on himself – for our sake!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, give us a deeper look into your tenacious will to rescue us and take us home.  Amen.

The Perfect One, the One without sin, is baptized for our sake and is identified as God’s beloved Son.  He also has the Holy Spirit to give to others to cleanse, to empower and to minister.  May we gain a renewed appreciation for our baptism and what God has done, continues to do and will do as a result of it.  We are called, claimed, cleansed, commissioned and empowered!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, renew us in the gift of our baptism.  Inspire us to put it into action for the sake of others in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany, January 15: John 1:43-51

Epiphany is the season in the church year that puts Jesus in the spotlight and reveals him as the wisest teacher, as the Savior who has come to rescue us and as the King (Lord) worthy of our subservience.  Evangelism, Luther said, is one beggar telling another where to find bread.  Jesus calls Phillip; and Phillip finds Nathanael and invites him to come along.  When Nathanael expresses doubt, Phillip answers, “Come and see.”  We are called to invite and to accommodate – not argue or convince.  We can leave the miracle of believing up to the Holy Spirit.  Inviting and extending hospitality make for a meaningful and fulfilling ministry!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, inspire us to invite and to welcome.  Open our eyes to see those we encounter who yearn to be invited and welcomed.  Amen.

3^rd Sunday after the Epiphany, January 22: Mark 1:14-20

The Gospel Mark loves to use the word, “immediately” (RSV).  It serves to emphasize the urgency of Christ’s ministry.  The families and friends of Peter and Andrew, James and John must have had been left with their mouths still hanging open after Jesus called these men to be his apprentices!  That must have especially been true of Mr. Zebedee who was left to continue the family fishing business without his sons.  But Jesus had bigger fish to catch – the kind with two feet.  Fishing is fun, frustrating, adventuresome and rewarding.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for calling and equipping us to be fishers of people.  Help us to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit as we cast into the water.

4^th Sunday after the Epiphany, January 29: Mark 1:21-28

We are not surprised that “he taught them as one who had authority” and that he outshined the religious leaders.  This is God’s Son; he had a direct line to heaven!  Ironically it is the demon-possessed who recognize him right away.  They know their enemy; and He has authority over them.  He does not force Himself on us or anyone else, however; because He wants all followers to come willingly.  It may take awhile for some to be convinced.  In the meantime He is there to woo and to welcome.  We are called to do the same on his behalf.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help us to practice introducing Jesus to those who want to meet him.

Help us to put aside our fear of rejection and trust in you to empower us.

5^th Sunday after the Epiphany, February 5: Mark 1:29-39

Jesus had places to go and people to see and a short time to do it all!  Again Mark emphasizes the immediacy of Jesus’ ministry.  We are all in need of healing.  Peter’s mother-in-law, in addition to the long line of those who were possessed or sick, represent us.  Notice, however, that the healing was usually accompanied by preaching.  The healing Jesus offers points to his identity as Savior and Lord!

Prayer: Open us, Great Physician to receive your healing power.  Amen.

6^th Sunday after the Epiphany, February 12: Mark 1:40-45

People suffering from A.I.D.s are probably the best ones to know what it was like to suffer from leprosy in Jesus’ day.  Not only was the disease itself bad enough to endure; the excommunication that accompanied it made it even worse!  Those who were ostracized through no fault of their own but now are included in the family of Christ have a deep appreciation for being warmly welcomed.

Prayer:  Cleanse us from the inside out, O Lord; and make us whole.  Employ us to be on your healing and welcoming team.  Amen.

The Transfiguration of Our Lord, February 26: Mark 9:2-9

This “mountain top experience” was so important for the inner circle of disciples (Peter, James & John) to have before they witnessed the crucifixion because it would put their Lord’s suffering in context.  Here they are given a glimpse of glory and a hint of heaven.  Here they get to see Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) appear with the beloved Son of God.  He is there to complete God’s story: the Old Testament with the New.

Prayer: During those times we feel especially down and out, O Lord, give us a glimpse of your glory to get us through.  Amen.

Matthew 2:1-12

Instead of being frightened by the birth of a new king as Herod was (“and all Jerusalem with him”) , the eastern wisemen (scholars and astrologers), are drawn to Him.  Herod is threatened because he puts his trust in earthly powers.  Those who seek power from God are brought to their knees when they come before God’s promised one!  Just as the star shone the way to Christ; so He, as the “Light of the world”, shines the way for us.  Epiphany means “shining light”.  During this season we will see how Jesus shines brightly as God’s beloved Son who came to serve and to save.

Prayer: Enlighten us, Lord, during this Epiphany season to gain a new appreciation for the many ways you lighten the darkness and offer hope in the midst of despair. 

The Baptism of Our Lord

Matthew 3:13-17

If Jesus was to take our sin upon himself for our sake, then he would be baptized as well.  It shows that God is open to us and committed to doing something about our habitual brokenness.  It also shows that Jesus, God’s beloved Son, is “Christened” to be the one to carry out this monumental mission.

Prayer:  Lord and Savior, as we commemorate your baptism, inspire us to gain a renewed appreciation for our own.  By your Holy Spirit help us to feel cleansed, claimed and commissioned to carry on your ministry to a world aching to be loved and restored.

The 2^nd Sunday after the Epiphany

John 1:29-42

John the Baptist’s ministry reaches its fulfillment as John declares, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  Jesus is gentle, innocent and vulnerable; He is also the “lamb that was slain, who has begun His reign”.  Furthermore He is the one who has power to heal the sick, to teach the truth, to befriend the outcast and to raise the dead!  Two of John’s students become Jesus’ disciples (one is Andrew, brother to Simon Peter); and the chain reaction recruitment has begun.  What an adventure these guys have in store for them!  The same is true for us!

Prayer:  O Lamb of God, thank you for spending yourself on us!  May we gain a deeper appreciation of your loving sacrifice and thereby be inspired to spend ourselves on others for your sake.   

The 3^rd Sunday after the Epiphany

Matthew 4:12-23

As he begins his ministry, Jesus is reminded of the cost (John’s arrest).  His withdrawal to Galilee places him in a rural setting.  He will eventually work his way to the city (Jerusalem) to complete his ministry (suffering, death and resurrection).  He picks up where John leaves off with a message of repentance to prepare his listeners for the “kingdom of heaven” which he is ushering in.  He then calls the fishermen, Peter and Andrew along with James and John, to catch people instead so that more and more may enjoy being brought into God’s caring community.

Prayer: By your Holy Spirit inspire us, O Lord, to invite others and welcome them into your family.  Make us bold so that we lose our reserve and fear of being embarrassed or rejected.

The 4^th Sunday after the Epiphany

Matthew 5:1-12

There is hope for those who feel spiritually poverty-stricken, those in grief, those who are timid, those who yearn to be right with God, those who are merciful, those who have single-minded devotion to God, those who devote themselves to peaceful solutions and those who are ridiculed and rejected for their devotion to Christ.  Thank God suffering and persecution will be replaced by joy and celebration!

Prayer:  Thank you, dear Jesus, for this hopeful promise.  May we take heart in the midst of our struggles – knowing you are with us as our brother, Savior, and Lord.

The 5^th Sunday after the Epiphany

Matthew 5:13-20

We are salt and light as long as we stay connected to Christ who came to “fulfill all righteousness” (Mt. 3:14).  Jesus, after all, was sent by His heavenly Father to fulfill (i.e. live according to) the law and the prophets – not to do away with them.  Thanks to His perfect obedience and God’s grace, we are declared perfect even though our own righteousness is anything but! 

Prayer: Loving Lord, give us the power to follow in your gracious ways so that we may reflect your warm light and share your delightfully seasoned Bread of Life with others. 

The 6^th Sunday after the Epiphany

Matthew 5:21-37  

Anyone who reads these words of our Lord and doesn’t feel guilty needs to read them again.  Jesus seems to have raised the bar on what God requires of us!  We may not go to jail for what we are thinking, but we certainly stand condemned before God who knows our every thought and fantasy!  We need to be reminded, however, that the perfection God requires, God provides.  The main reason God sent Jesus was to give us His spotless record in place of our dismal failure.  That great gift exchange now gives us reason to be honest: to let our “Yes” be “Yes” and our “No” be “No”.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, empower us to be completly honest before God instead denying our guilt and pretending to be better than we are. 

The 7^th Sunday after the Epiphany

Matthew 5:38-48

For us to love our worst enemies may take some divine intervention!  But wait, isn’t that what already has happened: Christ came to transform enemies into friends by His obedient, loving sacrificial life and death!  Isn’t that what motivates us to love our enemies?  With God all things are possible.

Prayer: It’s natural for us to feel that your demands on us are too great, O God; but help us to focus on your great love and grace instead. 

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Matthew 17:1-9 

As we age we become “disfigured”.  Here in this story we see Jesus “transfigured” to give hope and encouragement to his followers just before he is “disfigured” on the cross.  It was vital for his disciples to get a divine glimpse of their master and see him alongside Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) so they could recognize him as the fulfillment (New Covenant).  This would help them put his death and resurrection into context and help them see Christ as Lord over all!  The Epiphany season has come full circle as we gaze on the brightness of Christ, the One who confers with Moses  and Elijah and is their fulfillment. 

Prayer:   Great Creator and Redeemer, may we carry the glow of your transfiguration as we make the Lenten journey to the cross and empty tomb.

The first Evangelists (“bearers of the Good News”) were “Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them”.  They were the witnesses of the empty tomb.  They were there to receive the announcement from the two men in dazzling clothes.  They were the first messengers to proclaim the resurrection of Christ!  Perhaps the harsh reality of our Lord’s suffering and death on the cross closed the apostles’ minds and hearts because “these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them”.  Was it too good to be true?  They would soon find out for themselves.

Prayer:  Spirit of the Crucified and risen Lord, open our minds, hearts and spirits to the miracle and joy of your victory over sin, death and evil. 

Easter Evening: Luke 24:13-49

Before Easter day would end there would be many people who would encounter the resurrected Christ: the two travelers bound for Emmaus, the women at the tomb, Peter and then all eleven of the apostles – plus those who were with them in Jerusalem.  Not only do they get to see him for themselves, they get to touch him.  The reality of his identity becomes even more meaningful and personal when he explains how his death and resurrection have fulfilled scripture and when he breaks bread with them.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for making yourself known to us through your death and resurrection, in the Bible, in your Holy Supper and in the midst of your caring community, the Church.

Second Sunday of Easter: John 20:19-31

We can’t blame Thomas for wanting to see the resurrected Lord for himself as the other disciples had.  According to St. Paul “more than 500 brothers and sisters” were blessed by being able to see Jesus after he was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:6).  Most people, like us, have to take God’s Word for it and trust in the witness of those who were there.  The Gospel writer, however, has some encouraging words for us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Prayer: Help us, Holy Spirit, as we arise each day to celebrate your resurrection and to look forward to ours as well.

Third Sunday of Easter: John 21:1-19

Peter and the other disciples fish all night and don’t catch a thing.  Jesus appears on the shore at day break and tells them to cast their nets one more time “on the right side of the boat”.  They do and net 153 whoppers!  After they have breakfast, Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him (note the parallel to Peter’s threefold denial)!  His love for the Lord is to be expressed by feeding and tending God’s flock.  It is the same for us.

Prayer: Empower us, O Lord, as you did the apostles so that we may care for others on your behalf and in your name.

4^th Sunday of Easter: John 10:22-30

As the rededicated temple is being celebrated, Jesus is confronted by some skeptical Jews to declare if he is the long-awaited Messiah.  His works show that he is – for those who believe; and those who believe have eternal life (unlike the temple).  No one will snatch us away! 

Prayer: Thank you, Good Shepherd, for claiming us and keeping us forever!

5^th Sunday of Easter: John 13:31-35

Judas (Iscariot) has just left the table to betray our Lord.  Jesus remains with the eleven to explain that even the betrayal is part of God’s plan to glorify the “Son of man” (on the cross).  The disciples will continue their master’s ministry by loving one another as he has loved them.  The loving, caring community of Christ is the best invitation for the world to come and meet him! 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, move us to serve according to the ways you have equipped us so that others may experience your love and generosity.

6^th Sunday of Easter: John 14:23-29

Judas (Thaddaeus) seeks the easy way as though to say: “Lord, why not make yourself known to the whole world and not just to us!”  But we are the chosen people today… chosen to live as the Body of Christ and to make him known through our life together.  We are not left to do this on our own, however.  The Holy Spirit will empower us to learn, to teach and to have peace. 

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to depend upon the Holy Spirit so that we may be your Church.

7^th Sunday of Easter: John 17:20-26

In this third part of his High Priestly Prayer, Jesus is praying for the Church universal (present and future – including us) that it (we) may realize the unity that the Son has with his heavenly Father and the love that they mutually share.  Christian love and team work are at the heart of our mission outreach.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for praying for us.  We need your help and power at all times.

Jesus warns us not to be spiritual show-offs who try to demonstrate their prowess in praying, giving, and fasting. He calls us to be sincere in our spiritual practices. As we begin this Lenten journey may we ask the Holy Spirit to inspire and renew our praying, our serving, and our willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Christ.

Prayer: You know, Holy Spirit, how spiritually needy we are. We ask you to revitalize us as we accompany Jesus to the cross. Give us a renewed appreciation of his loving sacrifice for us.

First Sunday in Lent: Luke 4:1-13

Full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit, Jesus goes into the desert to be put to the faith test (as were the Hebrews during their wilderness wanderings; and as we are every day). Unlike the Hebrews and us, Jesus resists! He refuses to succumb to his hunger and is nourished by God’s Word instead. He turns down the devil’s offer of worldly power and chooses to serve God. He also declines to take the road to glory and stays on his way to the cross. Thank God the Suffering Servant passed the test for us! We are filled with the Holy Spirit at Baptism. May we always be led by the Spirit.

Prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit! Revive your Church! Begin with me!”

Second Sunday in Lent: Luke 13:31-35

No one – not even a king like Herod – can cause Jesus to take a detour. He is headed to the cross! It’s God’s mission for him; and it’s precisely for self-centered glory hounds like Herod that Jesus is cross bound. Like a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, Jesus gathers us at his crucifixion to show God’s awesome love and eternal protection.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep us focused on the cross so that we remember the gift of forgiveness, salvation and eternal life.

Third Sunday in Lent: Luke 13:1-9

Catastrophes and tragedies can cause us to evaluate our priorities and to make an “about face” i.e. to follow Christ instead of the ways of the world. Thank God Jesus is there to pick us up when we fall to temptation and to put us back on track again. He is also the one who patiently cultivates and fertilizes us so we can experience the joy of bearing fruit.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your patience and devotion to us. Inspire us to devote ourselves to serving you.

Fourth Sunday in Lent: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

It is the love and generosity of our heavenly Father that draws back the wayward children and melts the cold hearts of those who are frozen by jealousy. “Welcome home, my son! Welcome home, my daughter! This is where you belong – forever!”

Prayer: Please give us a renewed appreciation for our home with you, O God.

Fifth Sunday in Lent: John 12:1-8

Close friends of Jesus are enjoying his company: one who had died and then experienced resurrection, one who is devoted to serving supper and one who is bent over to anoint his feet and wipe them with her hair. Judas, the thief and soon-to-be betrayer, was there too trying to spoil the party with a phony protest on behalf of the poor. But Jesus is preparing for the ultimate act of charity and generosity: his suffering and death on the cross!

Prayer: May your loving sacrifice continue to inspire and empower us to be living sacrifices in all that we say and do, O Lord.

MEDITATIONS FOR HOLY WEEK

Luke 19:28-40 “The Triumphal Entry”

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven.” Those are the cheers of a large crowd of his disciples as Jesus makes his way down into Jerusalem in the direction of the cross. These words are reminiscent of the ones sung by the heavenly choir celebrating his birth (Luke 2:14). These followers are celebrating this long-awaited Messiah and all his “deeds of power”. Little do they know that their new king is on his way to die for them. Even so, the whole creation is joining this jubilant celebration!

Prayer: May we always remember how your power, O Lord, was channeled for peace.

Luke 22:1-38 “The Last Supper”

The disciples and their Teacher meet secretly in an upper room to celebrate the Jewish Passover. Jesus uses this sacred meal, however, as the foundation for the Lord’s Supper. The cup and the bread take on new meaning. “Take this and divide it among yourselves…This is my body, which is given for you” (vs. 17 & 18). This new divine meal is to commemorate our Lord’s suffering and death as well as celebrate his victory in ushering in the Kingdom of God.

The disciples are in disarray: questioning who among them is the betrayer and, then, which one is the greatest! Jesus reminds them that God’s Kingdom is not like the world. In God’s Kingdom the greatest is one who serves. Jesus goes on to predict Peter’s denial; but, even so, Peter will still have a place among his fellow disciples and is called to “strengthen your brothers”.

Jesus then prepares them for their on-going ministry after his departure. The sparse provisions they have carried with them since he called them to be his disciples will suffice. God provides and God empowers!

Prayer: As we partake of your Holy supper, Good Lord, fill our minds and hearts with gratitude for all you have done, continue to do and will do for us.

Luke 22:39-53 “Gethsemane”

The Mount of Olives overlooks the Temple and Jerusalem to the west. It is here where Jesus takes his disciples to ponder and to pray. They fall asleep because they are weary from grief. His sweat turns to blood as he anticipates his suffering. He prays to be spared what is ahead, “yet, not my will but yours be done” (vs. 42).

Then Judas arrives with a crowd determined to arrest Jesus. The betrayer’s kiss incites the disciples; and one of them resorts to the sword. Is Jesus a dangerous criminal who needs to be taken by force? No, this is evil at work; but God will still use it for good!

Prayer: We, like the disciples, fall asleep in the middle of our prayers. Thank you, Lord, for suffering on our behalf.

Luke 22:54-71 “Jesus before Caiaphas”

They take Jesus to appear before the high priest, Caiaphas. Peter follows at a distance; but when recognized, he denies that he knows Jesus. This denial is repeated two more times. When Jesus looks at him, Peter remembers his Lord’s prediction, the cock crows and Peter weeps bitterly.

The guards mock, beat and blindfold the One who is ushering in God’s Kingdom. They humiliate and ridicule him. The next morning he is led before the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin. They want him to confess that he is the Christ so he can convict himself of blasphemy. His response that “from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God” is all the testimony they need. He has pronounced his own death sentence.

Prayer: Peter is not alone in denying you, Lord. We have done it too. Thank you for loving and forgiving us as you did Peter.

Luke 23:1-25 “Jesus before Pilate and Herod”

The Jewish leaders take their prisoner to appear before the Roman governor, Pilate, with the accusation that Jesus claims to be the King of the Jews and is a threat to Roman rule. Pilate doesn’t want to be bothered with Jewish matters and sends Jesus to Herod. Herod is delighted to finally meet Jesus and hopes to see him perform a miracle. The Jewish leaders, however, continue their vehement accusations until Herod joins in and mocks Jesus. Then he sends him back to Pilate. But Pilate can find no fault in him – nothing that would deserve death! After the crowd continues to insist (3 times) that Jesus be condemned and that Barabbas (a convicted traitor and murderer) be released, Pilate gives in and allows them to have their way.

Prayer: Yes, Lord, we know your trial made a mockery of justice and you were the victim of jealousy and hatred. Thank you for dying to free us from injustice and hate.

Luke 23:26-56 “The Crucifixion”

What a grand mix of people there was that Good Friday: the wailing women, Simon of Cyrene, the Roman soldiers, the Jewish leaders, the two criminals, the Roman officer, all “his acquaintances” and Joseph of Arimathea.

The wailing women express the horror and the injustice of our Lord’s suffering. Simon of Cyrene (Libya) is snatched from the crowd to carry the cross. While hanging there Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” The criminals are hanging alongside Jesus – one on each side like bookends. One mocks Jesus along with the crowd; the other believes in him and seeks mercy, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responds, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It’s in the middle of the afternoon when Jesus takes his last breath. Darkness fills the sky and the Temple curtain secluding the “Holy of Holies” is ripped apart when Jesus announces, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.”

While “all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance”, it is a Roman officer who utters, “Certainly this man was innocent.”

Then it is a member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea, who gets permission from Pilate to take down Jesus’ body and bury it in an unused tomb.

Consider the great number of people who have pondered our Lord’s suffering and death over the ages – including all of us today!

Prayer: We know, Lord, that the ground is level at the foot of your cross and there is always room for more. Help us to share what your suffering, death and victory mean to us.

I think it was Alton Trueblood who said: “Christianity is just one generation from extinction!” That statement is a good reminder that it is up to us 21st Century disciples and ambassadors of Christ to share His Good News. This story of the Persian scholars seeking and finding the “king of the Jews” shows us that God has a way of recruiting the most unlikely followers – at least to us.

There was a lady who started worshipping at a church because she saw its sign. She and her husband became members.

May God use us as “signs” for Christ to welcome those near and far into the family of Christ.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, use us as signs of Christ’s love and hospitality so that all those with whom we come into contact may be welcomed warmly and invited into God’s royal family.

January 10: The Baptism of our Lord (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22)

Just as Jesus was baptized and thereby commissioned to begin His ministry of preaching, teaching, healing, feeding and befriending as God’s “beloved Son”, so we have been called, claimed and commissioned to continue that ministry through our baptism. It can be a good reminder when we make the sign of the cross on our forehead that we are God’s royal children empowered by the Holy Spirit to be “little Christs” in all that we say and do.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, may we serve others as Christ has served us, knowing that You will use our gifts for the glory of God.

January 17: The Second Sunday after Epiphany (John 2:1-11)

This was the first of the “signs” Jesus performed according to the Gospel of John. These “signs” are demonstrations that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. Changing water into wine to save embarrassment at a wedding may seem like a minor miracle compared to healing the sick or raising the dead; but we can be sure that it was much appreciated by the wedding party and their families! All of the “signs” are proof that God loves us and wants the best for us. The last and most important “sign” in John is Christ’s death on the cross. This, of course, shows the great depth of God’s love and grace!

Prayer: Thank you, gracious God, for being by our side during minor crises as well as major ones.

January 18: The Confession of St. Peter (Matthew 16:13-19)

Caesarea Philippi was the site of an ancient Greek (and then Roman) temple carved out of a cliff. It was at this pagan place that Jesus popped the big question: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, is the very foundation of our Christian faith. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us to not only proclaim Christ to the world, but to also “proudly bear his name.”

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give us the boldness to proclaim Jesus gladly as our Lord and Savior.

January 24: The Third Sunday after Epiphany (Luke 4:14-21)

Fresh from his time of testing in the wilderness, Jesus has begun his ministry. After a short trip around Galilee, he visits his home town of Nazareth. At the synagogue on the Sabbath Jesus inaugurates the ministry God has called him to perform when he reads Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus is the one sent to release the captives (the oppressed, the sick, the poor, the outcastes, the addicts, the idolaters, the helpless…all of us); and the one to give sight to the blind (whether it be physical or spiritual blindness).

Prayer: May we trust in you to liberate us, O Lord, and to give us the vision to follow you in all that we say and do.

January 25: The Conversion of St. Paul (Luke 21:10-19)

It is natural for us to cringe as we consider the suffering and persecution that many Christians have experienced (and will experience) for the cause of Christ. Will we be – can we be – as strong and steadfast if we are called upon to suffer for our Lord? St. Paul would be the first to tell us that it was not by his own power or courage that he was able to endure so much for the sake of Christ (rejected by fellow Jews, pelted by rocks, shipwrecked and imprisoned). His courage and witness in adversity came from the Holy Spirit. May we call upon the Spirit each day to empower us a Christ’s servants.

Prayer: You know how timid and puny we often are, O Lord. Empower us to be strong in our witness and generous in our serving.

January 31: 4th Sunday after the Epiphany (Luke 4:21-30)

The hometown people were anxiously waiting for Jesus to perform a miracle so they could see for themselves that “Joseph’s son” was as phenomenal as the reports portrayed him. Jesus refuses to perform any, however, and reminds them of two Old Testament stories in which God provided food and healing to foreigners instead of to Israelites. This infuriates the congregation in Nazareth; and they try to kill Jesus. WOW!

The shadow of the cross looms on the edge of that cliff. Jesus’ rejection brings about our salvation!

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to more fully appreciate your sacrifice for us. Your rejection by your hometown and nation helps us understand what you went through out of your love for us and for all people.

February 2: The Presentation of our Lord (Luke 2:22-40)

We may look forward to the release from this world as the old man, Simeon, did. His “Nunc Dimittis” has been used over the years in Christian liturgies to celebrate the liberation that Christ brings. Like a slave being set free, so will we be when we die; but we can also enjoy that freedom during our time on earth as well. Anna’s prophesy accentuates that freedom and celebrates it as well.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, enable us to fully appreciate the freedom that Christ has won for us!

February 7: 5th Sunday after Epiphany (Luke 5:1-11)

From disappointment to amazement…from fear to faith – what an adventure it is being with Jesus! “And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him” (vs 11). Many would call it foolish for these fishermen to give up their livelihood to become students of an itinerant preacher, teacher and miracle worker. Priorities change, however, when we recognize God at work in our lives. May the Holy Spirit kindle some of that same reckless trust that we see in Peter, James and John so that we continue to follow wherever our Lord leads us.

Prayer: Help us to trust in You, Holy Spirit, for the adventures that lie ahead as we follow our Lord and Savior.

6th Sunday after Epiphany (Luke 6:17-26)

As God has done throughout the ages, so Jesus does here: lifts up the lowly and humbles the haughty. Most of the people in Jesus’ day were very poor and powerless. They knew first hand the challenges of poverty: living with little, going hungry and being victimized by those in power. What is our source of comfort and hope? Is it in our wealth or in Christ? If it is in Christ, we are called to put our wealth to work to help others in His name.

Prayer: Humble us, Lord, when we get haughty; lift us up when we sink too low. Help us to be good and generous stewards with all you have entrusted with us.

February 14: The Transfiguration of our Lord (Luke 9:28-43)

That inner circle of disciples, Peter, James and John, are given a glimpse of glory and a hint of heaven as Jesus shines brighter than the sun to reveal his divine identity. They would need this mountain-top high to provide God’s victorious perspective at the time of their master’s execution. May the Transfiguration of our Lord continue to provide the light and hope we need when our days are dark and desperate.

Prayer: As we make the journey to the cross with you during this Lenten season, make us mindful and heartful of your awesome love and redeeming power.

Jesus…”saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him” (vs. 10). The same Greek word is used in Mark 15:38 where it says: “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (just after Jesus died on the cross). Here is an important connection between Jesus’ baptism and his death. God is baptizing his Son to die for us! Immediately after his baptism (commissioning), he is driven by the Holy Spirit to be tested in the desert (just as the Israelites had been in the Old Testament). Then, having past the test, he begins his public ministry urging repentance and proclaiming the Gospel. John the Baptizer’s death is also a foreshadowing of what is to happen to Jesus. Then Jesus calls the first disciples: fishermen whom he will train to be evangelists. Notice the word “immediately” (NRSV & RSV). It is used often in the Gospel of Mark. There is a sense of urgency. This ministry of Christ is vital and crucial for the whole world!

Prayer: Gracious God, as we begin this Lenten season take our hand and lead us slowly to the cross; so that we may take the time to consider the wideness of your mercy and the great depth of your love. Amen.

2nd Sunday in Lent, March 8: Mark 8:31-38

This event happens just after Peter made his famous confession: “You are the Messiah” (8:29). What a turnabout! Now Jesus calls Peter “Satan” for setting his mind on human things rather than on divine things. We can’t blame Peter can we? He loved Jesus; and he couldn’t stand the thought of losing him! But God’s plan was in place and no one was going to change its course. In the very next chapter (9) Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him to the top of a mountain where God shows them that Jesus is truly the Messiah. This glimpse of divine truth would be an important point of reference and assurance when Jesus would be crucified.

Prayer: Holy Father, we give you thanks for sacrificing your beloved Son for us in the greatest gift exchange ever made: his innocent life for our rebellious ways! Amen.

3rd Sunday in Lent, March 15: John 2:13-22

This isn’t a mere protest against church bake sales and fundraising events. This was Jesus taking on the whole sacrificial system that was holding Israel captive! The commercialization in the courtyard of the Temple was symptomatic of the underlying illness. The Jewish leaders and people were so caught up in making adequate sacrifices, they had lost sight of the great love and mercy of God. There religion had become a “do-it-yourself” endless list of “dos and don’ts”. They were in desperate need of a Savior; and so are we!

Prayer: Foil all of our attempts to reach you on our own, O God; and bring us once again to the foot of cross where we can appreciate anew what you have done for us! Amen.

4th Sunday in Lent, March 22: John 3:14-21

I like to think of God as a salvager who picks out the worst wrecked car in the junkyard and takes it into his shop, pounds out the dents, overhauls the engine and transmission, paints and polishes the body; and as it drives by heads turn and people ooh and ahh at the sight. Thank God for his amazing grace and mercy!

Prayer: We are so grateful, Lord, for your awesome love and power to salvage us!

5th Sunday in Lent, March 29: John 12:20-33

God’s ways are not our ways – thank God! Christ’s death means new life for us and for all of creation! As we approach the holiest week of the Church year, may we contemplate what it means that God “planted” his Son for us.

Prayer: As we fix our eyes and hearts on your suffering death, O Lord, may we come to a renewed appreciation of the depth of your love and the wideness of your mercy.

Palm/Passion Sunday, April 5: Mark 11:1-11 and Mark 14:1-15:47

The triumphal entry into Jerusalem (“city of peace”), the Last Supper, the betrayal by Judas, Jesus’ prayers in Gethsemane, the arrest, the phony allegations by the chief priests, the interrogation, the denial by Peter and the abandonment by the rest of the disciples, Jesus before Pilate; the crowd crying “Crucify him! Crucify him!”; the stripping, the mocking and the whipping of Christ and finally the crucifixion… all these events are vivid reminders of God’s passionate love and willingness to take the world’s sinfulness on himself – for our sake!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give us a deeper look into your tenacious will to rescue us and take us home.

Mary Magdalene, the one from whom seven demons had been exorcised by Jesus, comes to the tomb to prepare her Lord’s body for permanent burial. We can only imagine the heaviness of her heart as she considers His torture and horrible death on the cross. How could God allow such a senseless loss! Then her grief is compounded when she discovers that his body is missing! But then her horror and grief are transformed into relief and joy when the resurrected Jesus greets her in person and calls her by name. God transforms man’s cruel form of capital punishment into a way of salvation; and God claims victory over death itself! He has risen! He has risen indeed!

Prayer: May the certainty of resurrection, O Lord, give us the hope-filled perspective we need to face daily challenges.

2nd Sunday of Easter: John 20:19-31

It was Easter evening when Jesus made his appearance to the ten disciples who were hiding behind locked doors “for fear of the Jews”. Notice that he proclaims, “Peace be with you” two times: when he first appears and then as he breathes on them the Holy Spirit and commissions them to continue his ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation. Eight days later he appears again for the sake of Thomas and gladly shows him his crucifixion scars as he had for the other disciples to prove that he really had risen from the dead. True peace is ours thanks to God’s victory over sin, death, and the power of evil!

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit! Revive your Church! Begin with me!

3rd Sunday of Easter: Luke 24:36b-48

Imagine being one of those travelers on the way to Emmaus: confused, heart-broken, disillusioned, and defeated. Then to encounter – without knowing it – the crucified and resurrected Lord himself! They finally recognize him when changes his role from guest to host by taking the bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it to them. This Holy Communion in light of his interpretation of all the scriptures (Old Testament) makes their “hearts burn within” and gives them and us an encounter with the Lord that will live on forever!

Prayer: As we read the scriptures, worship, and celebrate communion, make our hearts burn within us, Lord.

4th Sunday of Easter: John 10:11-18

Jesus fulfills Old Testament promises that God himself will come to shepherd his people. Not only does the Good Shepherd feed us and protect us; he even gives up his own life for us! He is also continually looking to rescue lost sheep. That pretty well describes the ministry he has passed on to us: to take care of the flock and to seek and save the ones who have strayed.

Prayer: Keep us safe and secure within your flock, O Lord, and empower us to reach out to those who have strayed away or who have never known your love and care.

5th Sunday of Easter: John 15:1-8

The true Vine is the very source of life for us branches. Christ holds us up, supports us, feeds us, prunes us, and empowers us to grow and produce fruit. How do we branches stay firmly connected to the Vine? Regular worship, prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship, and daily ministry help keep us connected. Retreat ministry plays a vital role in fostering renewal and inspiration for individuals and congregations as well.

Prayer: Keep us connected, loving Vine; prune us as needed; and give us a renewed appreciation of fellow branches.

6th Sunday of Easter: John 15:9-17

The commandments may be summarized in one sentence: “Love God; and love your neighbor as yourself.” Obviously we fall short every day in carrying this out. That’s why Jesus died i.e. to forgive us for our constant failures. But his death and resurrection give us a new perspective of the Commandments: we GET TO love God and our neighbor as a way of saying thank you to Jesus. Every day is an opportunity to start afresh and to love again.

Prayer: Empower us to love God and our neighbors, Holy Spirit, and to experience the joy that comes with giving of ourselves.

The Ascension of our Lord: Luke 24:44-53

The last time I saw my father he was being loaded into a private plane to be flown back home to Montana from Minnesota. His body was emaciated and yellow from the cancer that was consuming him; but his parting words were in stark contrast to his appearance: “The peace of the Lord be with you!” The disciples would certainly remember their last time with the crucified and resurrected Lord: how he ate fish with them and how he opened their minds to understand the ancient scriptures and how his ministry, death, and resurrection fulfilled them. They would also surely remember how he commissioned them to continue his ministry of repentance and forgiveness. Then he ascended; but they were filled with a joy that has continued to be passed on through the ages!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us again with the joy the disciples/apostles experienced when they watched our Lord return to heaven.

7th Sunday of Easter: John 17:6-19

In his high priestly prayer Jesus prays for his disciples (including us) that they may be one as are the Father and Son, have joy, be victorious over the evil one, and fulfill their mission of representing Christ to the world. What a comfort to know that our Lord prayed for us (and continues to do so)!

Prayer: May your prayer be ours, O Lord, and may we experience the oneness, joy, and victory you have won for us as we carry out the ministry you have given us.