Dear God, It’s been a hard nine days or so. Seems like it started last Wednesday. Very little good news compared with the challenges. It’s maxing out my capacity for compassion and patience. It makes me wonder if I’m leaning on myself to generate compassion and patience instead of looking for it to grow out of me from the Holy Spirit. Is there a time when a Spirit-filled person can still run out of compassion and patience? I suppose Jesus did every once in a while. Love is not “easily” angered (1 Corinthians 13). Maybe I’m being too hard on myself. Very grateful I’ve been digging into the Lenten journey. I spoke with a dear woman who is a friend/volunteer, almost 80 and very spiritual yesterday. I’ve told her this. “You’ve heard the phrase resting b**** face. Well, you have resting joy face.” Anyway, I brought up Lent and, having grown up Baptist as did I, she saw it as an empty ritual that started with the Catholic church and she had no need for it. I think I was able to convince her to maybe try to see it in a different light.

With all of that said, let’s get into today’s readings from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

• AM Psalm: 69
• PM Psalm: 73
• Jeremiah 5:1-9
• John 5:30-47
• Romans 2:25-3:18

Psalm 69 – This was a GREAT psalm. I have a few things to say about it. First, I feel better about what I wrote at the beginning of this. It seems that David is in a similar place where I am. And while he writes psalms, I write these prayers to you. I worship you in this way. Second, it is interesting that David was estranged from his brothers. I guess it makes sense, but it’s still sad. Third, as he writes for the destruction of his enemies, I wonder how his prayer changed for Absalom. David was devastated when Absalom was killed in the rebellion he led against him. It’s so different when it is your child. Oh, how we long for our children to be happy and to be in relationship with them.

Jeremiah 5:1-9 – Verse 1 struck me: “go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive the city.” Let me be a person through the life I offer to you that brings peace to this city and your favor/forgiveness.

John 5:30-47 – Verse 39-40 struck me: “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” May everything I absorb from the Scriptures point me to you, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

Romans 2:25-3:18 – Verse 3:28-29 struck me: “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.” Oh, Lord, let my heart be completely circumcised and submitted to you. Let me see not the praise of people, but your praise and smile alone.

I am here to walk with you today, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Help me to do it well and to hear your still small voice.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with the Holy Spirt, my Father,

Amen