Our Lenten study book, Max Vincent’s, “Because of This I Rejoice,” provides us with opportunities to read and reflect on Scripture every day of the week. My hope is to provide some initial thoughts and maybe a reflection question or two, should you choose to take Vincent up on his offer to engage in daily reading and reflection of the Scripture passages he provides. I will list each day below, and fill in my thoughts as the week goes on…hoping to be a day or two ahead…at least, that’s my hope. The picture of snow & leaves is simply an invitation to pick a simple image of natural beauty of your own to use in your reflections. Lenten blessings for this week after the First Sunday in Lent.

Monday: (Romans 1:1-15) – as I reflect on Paul’s opening words of blessings and thanksgiving to the Christians in Rome, I am mindful of a few important elements of his letter: (1) this was likely written at the end of Paul’s life and reflects the culminating experiences Paul had throughout his life, to produce a very mature perspective of Christian life; (2) Paul was possibly imprisoned and likely running thin on chances to remain free to preach as he pleased, but his words are filled with hope knowing the work and mission of Christ would continue after he was gone; and (3) he stresses the importance of every person and faithful, personal connections with each other (making the point from Vincent’s book of Paul’s thought about fellowship), writing to the Romans: “For I am longing to see you so that I may strengthen you – or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” How can we be present to each other and for each other in this season of Lent, and beyond, so that we may be mutually encouraged by the faith of the community of believers?

Tuesday: (1 Corinthians 1:1-9) – Paul’s opening prayers for the Christians in Corinth differs (in context at least) from that of his Letter to the Romans in that Paul was very familiar with the Christians in Corinth, as a founder of the church there and due to his extended stay with the people. His prayers and blessings are very Christ-centered – “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus…so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” These opening prayers also foreshadow Paul’s theological understanding and remarks about the arguments the Christians in Corinth are having about the perceived importance of various spiritual gifts. The opening prayers make Paul’s thinking clear: ALL gifts are given from God for God’s purposes and glory, alone, and we are all dependent on the miraculous and undeserved grace given to us, through Christ. Paul’s hope in the reconciling work of Christ and love of God, made manifest in all people, is again apparent in these words of thanksgiving. How can we be humbly aware of the blessings given to us and have the hope proclaimed by Paul to use these gifts, in ways that Christ calls us to each day?

Wednesday: (1 Thessalonians 1) – Paul’s letter to the Christians in Thessalonica differs from his Letter to the Romans (mentioned above, a later letter with developed Pauline thoughts) in that this letter was written around the year 50 AD, and is the earliest piece of writing in the New Testament. This is important to consider as we reflect on Paul’s greeting and blessing to his beloved friends in Thessalonica because Paul is using language and expressions nearly 40 years before the writing of the Gospel according to Mark (considered the first written Gospel). In these early Christian days, Paul’s blessing already is strikingly Christ-centered, and filled with images that would later become known as “trinitarian theology” as he prays, “constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love” and “steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” and “message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit.” The Christians of these early days are empowered by the love and grace of God, and their early witness to the Gospel of Christ is known “in every place your faith in God has become known.” These are not only words of high praise and thanksgiving for the faithful witness that has already been done by these Christian people, but blessings and encouragement for future work in spreading the Gospel of Christ. How can our prayers be both a thanksgiving for the blessings of yesterday and today, and a hope-filled message of future encouragement and strength for our work in spreading the love of God, in Christ?

Thursday: (Psalm 2) – This psalm brings our reflections into a different place than the previous three days of reflecting on the opening prayers and blessings of the Apostle Paul. However, the psalm maintains the theme of “the cosmic sovereignty of God,” ruling from the heavens yet always connected and concerned with the dealings of humanity. The psalm presents us with a reminder of the reality of much of life: we have the freedom to choose how we will respond to the events of our life – we can choose to “strike out on our own and trust ourselves” or we can “serve the Lord with fear, with trembling…” (to be understood as serving with the awe and reverence due the God of all that exists). The psalmist ends with the only conclusion that would be wise for those who live under the grace of God…”Happy are all who take refuge in God.” Psalm 2 is a particularly appropriate Scriptural reflection for Lent – how can we live our lives in humble service to God, gaining our strength and daily encouragement from the simple truth that we are children of a loving God, rather than relying solely on our own merits and accomplishments to feed our egos and determine our self-worth?

Friday: (Psalm 11) – A psalm titled, “Song of Trust in God,” this psalm is a heartfelt confession of trust in God’s righteousness and God’s prevailing favor for those who put their trust in the Lord. Although a relatively short psalm of seven verses, we experience a range of emotions as the psalmist tells of their difficult circumstances against the unjust “wicked ones.” In my reflections on this psalm, I am particularly drawn to the framing of the emotional turbulence of the psalm with the opening and closing verses that confidently proclaim God’s goodness: “In the Lord I take refuge…” and “the upright shall behold God’s face.” I feel that daily prayer is an experience that is very similar to the shape of this psalm…confidence in God’s righteousness and love, wrapped around the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs of life, yet always coming back to the strength and solace of God’s loving kindness.

Saturday: (Psalm 125) – This psalm is part of the collection of psalms known as the “Song of Ascents” (Psalms 120-134), likely used as people journeyed to Jerusalem for the gathering of the high holy days. This particular psalm gives thanksgiving for the providence of God, to whom the people pray for their security and continued blessings. The second verse spoke to me with a particular strength: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore.” I love the imagery of the strong, ancient mountains standing guard over the people, day and night, regardless of the weather. This is the truth of the righteousness of God – no matter where we go or how far away we take ourselves from paying attention to God; God is always there for us, ready for us to return and be at home with the One who never left us in the first place.