My Walk to Emmaus

Why do I not realize

that you are walking right beside me

I make attempts to sympathize

with what you've passionately done for me

But my cries usually turn to vanity

and reflect the foolishness within me

I know I am slow of heart

but please don't depart! Please don't depart!

You are constantly teaching me

Am I listening? Am I listening?

Why are my eyes kept from recognizing

but my heart is burning within me?

Please, start again with Moses and move to the prophets

Illuminate the essence of your glory and teach me of your suffering

For within me my heart is still burning

and I am learning to embrace this journey

I am listening, I am listening

He is Risen...

Hello All,

How good it is to know that our King is alive! Having devotional posts during Holy Week has been a lot of fun. My personal apologies for not being able to keep up with this project as well as I would have liked! Nonetheless, I hope all the posts by Nick and myself found you well.

My challenge to all of Jesus' disciples: Yes it is Spring, and yes, it is Easter - but are you able to find 'new life' in your own life? How do you persistently embrace the Easter story for your spiritual journey?

If you get a chance - please take the time to read the psalms posted below!

Christ has Died, Christ is Risen, Christ will Come Again!

Amen

Sunday (Easter)

In rejoicing we celebrate Jesus' rise from death at the empty tomb. How glad we are at our king's return! 

Here are some excerpts from some Psalms which I think speak to the grateful heart. Meditate Upon them today with a mindset of graciousness and thankfulness.

Psalm 119:33-40  (New American Standard Version)

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall observe it to the end. 
34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law
And keep it with all my heart. 
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it. 
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain. 
37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive me in Your ways. 
38 Establish Your word to Your servant,
As that which produces reverence for You. 
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good. 
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me through Your righteousness.

Psalm 86:10-17  (New American Standard Version)

10 For You are great and do wondrous deeds;
You alone are God. 
11 Teach me Your way, O LORD;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name. 
12 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And will glorify Your name forever. 
13 For Your lovingkindness toward me is great,
And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 
14 O God, arrogant men have risen up against me,
And a band of violent men have sought my life,
And they have not set You before them. 
15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. 
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me;
Oh grant Your strength to Your servant,
And save the son of Your handmaid. 
17 Show me a sign for good,
That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed,
Because You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 118:22-29 (New American Standard Version)

22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief corner stone. 
23 This is the LORD’S doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes. 
24 This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 
25 O LORD, do save, we beseech You;
O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity! 
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD;
We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 
27 The LORD is God, and He has given us light;
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 
28 You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You. 
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Centering Prayer - Friday

Dear Lord,

I cry, You answer. 

You cried, no answer.

You left everything that we held dear for a gruesome death.

I could never sacrifice as You did, I love life too much.

Could Your actions be any louder?

Have I silently left You on Your cross?

God, I have abandoned You.

You only want me to do as You taught and here I am doing the opposite.

You told us to care for the poor.

But when You became poor we became greedy.

You told us to care for the persecuted.

But when You became persecuted we became persecutors.

You told us to care for the thirsty.

But when You became thirsty we became cruel.

You told us to care for the lonely.

But when You became lonely we mocked you louder.

Have I become blind to what You want me to see, LORD?

I pray I can be crucified and become as You.

Amen

Centering Prayer - Preparation Day

Dear God

We remember our heritage and give thanks.

Praise to You for promises long kept!

I reminisce of my past promises to You and wince.

Your grace is tangible in how You stay by me after so many lies.

How meek and lowly I feel next to You.

Your presence is awesome.

I will look for ways to be as you in my life, LORD.

So much can be done for You with me.

Amen

Holy Week - Wednesday

Mark 12.41-44 (NRSV)

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴²A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.⁴³Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. ⁴⁴For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’

We can interpret this story in many ways and apply it to many situations. But, since this story was told by Jesus in Jerusalem during his last week - why not interpret it through the lens of sacrifice?

Jesus did not just give what was convenient for him to give - He gave everything! He asked his disciples and asks us to also give all that we are to the way of the Kingdom. When we commit our lives to serving Christ, we are encouraged to make sacrifices for the benefit of the Church and its work for the Kingdom. This is not saying that we must be willing to "die" for this cause (although scripture tells us that some things in our lives that do not honor God must symbollically "die"), but when we "give up our lives" to Christ we are choosing to "LIVE" for this cause. Jesus died so we could have life! So how will you live in response?

As the story above clearly tells us, our sacrifices are not ever measured by how much we give, but rather how much it costs us. What do we need to give up in order to serve better the cause of Christ of which we have willingly signed up for?

Centering Prayer - Wednesday

Dear God

You called to me and I came.

Upon Your bidding I dropped my nets and followed you.

Here upon the streets of our city you ask of me.

A favor you require of me among our people.

The choice weighs in my mind despite my clear conscience.

Your request is what I want to do but my peers are watching, LORD

What I choose to do will be judged by all here.

I will be placed under scrutiny by those we so disagree with.

The weight of their glances are heavy upon my shoulders, but so is Your hand.

I buckle under what should be such an easy choice.

LORD, for you I will give anything because for me you gave everything.

Ask of me and I will do it for I asked not of You and You gave.

Amen