Lenten Reflection for March 28th, Holy Thursday

A few reflections ago I wrote about the episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood where Mister Rogers shares a cool wading pool of water on a warm summer day with Officer Clemmons to address the issue of segregation happening in the United States around that time.

Years later the two men recreated the scene on another episode, again sharing a pool to cool their feet in, and this time Mister Rogers shares his towel with Officer Clemmons but this time also helps him to dry his feet in another example of showing care and love for another regardless of what the world might think.

Today, Holy Thursday, we read about Jesus’ final night before his crucifixion. We read in the Gospel of John of how, during dinner, Jesus takes off his outer robe, ties a towel around himself and washes the feet of his disciples.

After their triumphant entry into Jerusalem a few days before, this humbling action must have come as a shock to the disciples. Jesus teaches, “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15)

Christ shows us by his own example how to humble ourselves and how we ought to love and care for others. He has given us as His followers the commandment and mission of doing the same for others. 

When we encounter a love like His, how can we do any less?

God bless you!

For our younger brothers and sisters in Christ:

A few days ago I mentioned a television programme called Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, a show about Mister Rogers, a very nice man who would talk about many things and how he was a good example to us for how to show love in courageous ways.

Earlier this week we celebrated Palm Sunday, singing Hosanna and holding palm fronds as we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, he was being treated like a celebrity, a famous King and a Lord. Today we recall the Last Supper Jesus ate with his disciples before being taken away to die on the cross. 

At one point during the supper, Jesus removed his outer coat, tied a towel around himself and began to wash his disciples feet. They were likely shocked at this action, this was a job meant for a lowly servant to do, why was their teacher, rabbi and master doing the job himself?

Jesus was teaching and showing us by example that in order to love others rightly, we need to know to be humble and be open to serving others out of love. He says, “I did this as an example for you. So you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15) This is the Love that Christ gives to us, and wants us to share. 

Let’s pray that we will keep Christ in our heart as an example of showing care and love for others and to grow in the Fruit of Love!

God bless you.

Lenten Reflection for March 27th

When she was very young, Eleanor Roosevelt’s father promised her that when she grew a bit older, they would both live together again. With great anticipation she looked forward to that day. When her mother passed away, she felt very lonely. She was living with her grandmother, a very old and strict woman. When she realised her father wouldn’t be keeping his promise, it broke her heart. When she was just ten years old, she realised she needed to become strong in herself if she wanted to continue on in life and she vowed that she would never break a promise. 

For the rest of her life, Eleanor could always be counted on to keep her word.

We tend to have great respect for trustworthy people who we can count on to keep their word. This is why with the Gift of Wonder and Awe, we grow in respect for the Lord. We can take great solace and comfort in knowing that God is always faithful to us. When He makes a promise, we can be certain He will keep it. 

In Scripture we read, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24) When we grow in reverence for our Heavenly Father, we will continue to grow in the Holy Spirit’s Fruit of Faithfulness, loving God more fully and having our heart filled with His love.

God bless you!

For our younger brothers and sisters in Christ:

Years ago there was a young girl who’s father lived apart from the family. Her father promised that when she grew a bit older, they would both live together again. With great excitement she looked forward to that day. When her mother passed away, she felt very lonely. She was living with her grandmother, a very old and strict woman. 

One day she realised her father wouldn’t be keeping his promise, and it broke her heart. When she was just ten years old, she realised she needed to become strong in herself if she wanted to continue on in life and she vowed that she would never break a promise. 

That girl was  Eleanor Roosevelt, who became the First Lady, the wife of an American President and for the rest of her life, Eleanor could always be counted on to keep her word.

It’s likely we’ve all experienced a time when we’ve had someone break a promise to us. It hurts us and it’s hard to learn to trust that person again for a while.

The wonderful news about God’s love and faithfulness to us is that He will never break His promises to us, we can fully trust Him and the plans He has to bless us. In the Bible we read, “The Lord’s love never ends. His mercies never stop. They are new every morning. Lord, your loyalty is great.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ICB)

When we have doubts or worries about anything in life, we can always come to God in prayer and ask Him to help us in understanding and  to trust in Him more as we continue to grow in love for the Lord.

God bless you!

Lenten Reflection for March 26th

In reflecting on the Gift of Wonder and Awe and how it manifests in my life, I can see how it has much to do with how much gratitude I have in my heart for the blessings I have. How often do I ‘count my blessings’? A roof over my head, clothes to keep me warm, food on my table, a loving husband and family, good friends, a place to worship openly, the country I live in… and these seem like so few listed from what I could add if I took more time.

It may be easy to get caught up in the ‘mundane’ tasks of life, or to take for granted what we have every day. They become commonplace and we forget to be thankful. The Psalmist writes this praise and reminds us, “O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!” (Psalm 31:19)

God provides for our needs and asks for nothing in return. He is completely understanding of how feeble our efforts are and how we, in our fallen world and attempts at righteousness, could never repay Him in turn. Yet, He chooses to continue to fill our cup to overflowing. We enjoy the blessing of God’s goodness, and He takes delight in the wonder in our eyes.

The most we can give back to God for all the countless blessings He continues to give to us is showing reverence for Him through our thanks, gratitude and love. Let’s pray to have an increase of gratitude in our heart!

For our younger brothers and sisters in Christ:

Sometimes I find that I need to take some time to think about things in my life that I might be taking for granted. That means to never really think about something because we believe it will always be available or stay exactly the same. 

I might take it for granted that I have a bed to sleep in every night. That I have food in my cupboard and refrigerator that I can eat. I have a house to live in and a yard to spend time outside in. I went to school and am able to read and have many books. Perhaps you have some things like that in your life too that you take for granted.

Part of Wonder and Awe is to be able to be thankful to God for the blessings He gives us every day, even those things we take for granted. A home, clothes, food, family, friends. 

In the Bible in the book of Psalms we read, “How great is your goodness!

    You have stored it up for those who fear you.

You do good things for those who trust you.

    You do this for all to see.”

(Psalm 21:19 ICB)

God gives us so much we can’t even comprehend, and He doesn’t expect us to give Him anything in return. We know we can fully trust in Him and what we can give back to Him is our thanks, gratitude and love. 

God bless you!