When Is It Good To Be Selfish?

Are we willing to do the work?

Many congregations find themselves in the throes of "worship wars" where different groups within the faith community lobby to have worship changed into a particular style.  Many are enamored with technology and just cannot imagine a worship service without a screen to focus on.  Others want no part of the screen and wish worship to remain unchanged.  Still others insist on a "contemporary" service.  Such competing agendae can fragment a faith community to the extent that there are basically, multiple churches within one church.

Easter Sunday

Scripture

Isaiah 25:6-9

Prayer

What were they thinking, Lord?
As they approached the tomb,
Laden with spices to, in a final filial act,
Prepare Your earthly body for its final rest,
What were they thinking?
Did their earthly sorrow and devotion to this final task
Blind them?
They had heard your prophecies, and yet
Their first thought, seeing the open sepulchre,
Was of earthly mischief.

Not until your messenger explained it, yet again,
Did the scales of their earth-bound eyes fall
And their souls see with eyes eternal.
Wash the mortal clay from my eyes,
Merciful Father,
And let me see, with those eternal eyes,
My Risen Redeemer.

Alleluia!

Holy Week: Saturday

Scripture

Job 14:1-14

Prayer


Seed of my salvation,
My soul is fallow ground, barren,
Waiting for the Light of the World
To quicken it.
Throughout this dark, empty Saturday,
My fallow soul is waiting,
Waiting,
For the Son to Rise.

Meditate in Silence and go in peace.

Holy Week: Friday

Scripture

Psalm 22

Prayer


Alone.
You died
Alone.
Abandoned by your disciples.
Forgotten by the throngs.
Abandoned by your God.

For me.

Holy Week: Thursday

Scripture

Psalm 116:12-19

Prayer

As a father teaches a child, you show us how to live in God.

As a child obeys a Father, you willingly follow the path to judgment.

As a man fulfilling His calling, you walk the path to sacrifice.

Willingly.

Knowingly.

Painfully.

Gloriously.

You give your life to give us eternity.

May we give our lives to your eternal service.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Silent meditation and go in peace.

Holy Week: Wednesday

Holy Wednesday

Scripture

Isaiah 50:4-9

Prayer

God of all creation, you left your throne to walk among us,

To work with us,

To eat with us,

To worship with us,

To care for us,

To be, in all ways but one, just like us.

And after all of that, knowing us, you chose to die for us.

How can we do anything less than live for you?

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Silent meditation and go in peace.

Holy Week: Tuesday

Scripture

Isaiah 49:1-7


Prayer

God of justice, your law provides your children with clear instruction for living a life pleasing to you, and yet we find myriad ways to fail you.

God of mercy, your love ordained, before the foundations of the earth, a way to redeem your children from our sinful lives.

God of us all, you offer your mercy, not only to those who call you Father, but to anyone who chooses your way.

Thanks be to God.

Silent meditation and go in peace.