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. The Scripture passages listed below are the suggested readings for the week following the Fifth Sunday in Lent. I will list each day below, and fill in my thoughts as the week goes on…hoping to be a day or two ahead. Lenten blessings throughout this week and during your daily reflections.

Monday: (Psalm 100) – This psalm is a joy-filled song that recognizes God as the creator of all that is good and worthy in the world. This psalm is also a joyful recognition that God is the One who made us, and that we are not only God’s wonderful creations, but we are God’s people, the sheep of the Shepherd of Life. God is steadfast and God’s love endures forever. This is truly a psalm to be used in times of doubt, sorrow, or when we feel distant from God; for the psalmist joyfully sings that God is faithful forever, to all generations and all times.

Tuesday: (Romans 12:1-8) – This short section of Scripture is an important piece of Paul’s thinking and understanding of the Christian life. And this beginning of Chapter 12 is also an important transition in Paul’s Letter to the Romans, as the commentary in my study Bible notes, “this exhortation to transformation of character marks a major transition from theology to ethics, where Christian ethics are grounded not in law but in the ‘mercies of God’ (v. 1), and are a response of gratitude to the grace of God.” This section of Paul’s letter begins his discussion of how Christians can live peaceably and charitably with each other, and with everyone they encounter in their life. And, importantly, this way of thinking and living begins with humility…to “not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment.” There is an unfolding maturity in thought and action that is woven deeply into the advice Paul shares with his readers in this section. It can often be difficult for the us to be open minded about others around us, finding the grace that God has given to each person for the benefit of the entire community. Paul’s familiar use of the body, “we who are many, are one body,” helps us to put practical imagery on this challenging subject. How can we be appreciative of those around us and value the gifts given to those in our lives?

Wednesday: (1 Corinthians 6:12-20) – “All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial.” I’m not certain that all things are permissible, but the Apostle Paul is certainly correct when he writes that all things are not beneficial! This section of Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians contains a few maxims of life that many of us have probably heard before: “your body is a temple of the Lord” and, essentially, “you are what you eat”…or “you are what you spend your time doing”, and for Paul, what is clearly intended for one’s life is to be focused on heavenly things! These words of wisdom from Paul may feel overused and trite, but I think we do ourselves a favor to consider that Paul’s advice is often quoted because there is more than a bit of truth to them. I think it’s also important to remember that Paul often builds his case argument before making the “big reveal” on the point he is trying to make…and here, he is building up toward chapters 8 and beyond when he will break open his case for “mutual love.” I feel especially connected to Paul’s argument of chapter 8, where he speaks of food offered to idols, and makes a brilliant pastoral plea for the Corinthians to not only consider their attitude toward the practical things in life, and how these things impact their spiritual life, but how their actions impact others. Paul’s argument of chapter 8 is a very practical application of his opening words of our lesson today, “…not all things are beneficial.” I recommend a thoughtful reading of chapter 8 (especially verse 9), and feel free to substitute “food offered to idols” with anything that separates you from any other person in your life; and let your reflection be based on Jesus’ words: “first, take the log out of your own eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5).

Thursday: (1 Corinthians 9:19-26) – In our Scripture lesson today, we hear Paul make a passionate argument for his missionary work of spreading the Gospel of Christ. Paul lists the many benefits he could or should receive for his work (and as we might expect from Paul, he uses several biblical examples to build his case), but he notes again and again he has not taken advantage of these benefits. His vigor for the Lord has compelled him to proclaim the Good News and his strength of character compels him to work for his living while doing so. He then tells the Corinthians of his versatility in proclaiming the word of God: “To the Jews I became as a Jew…to those under the law I became as one under the law…to those outside the law I became as one outside the law…to the weak I became weak…I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel.” (vv. 20-23) Years ago, when I would reflect on this passage, I often thought Paul was simply “putting on a mask” to present his “best case for the Gospel.” To be honest, I found his description of interacting with others to be confusing and misleading…why not simply “be Paul” and speak to others in your genuine voice and character? However, as time passed and I continued to reflect on his words, I have to believe that Paul understood something that is critical to human behavior – language. Language is the means of communicating knowledge, and communicating with people in a language that is foreign to their understanding, beliefs, and practices is an exercise that often ends badly. Paul the Apostle, the missionary, the one who was given the task to spread the Good News far and wide understood that he must first understand and appreciate how people communicate, and then proclaim Christ’s message of mercy and love in words that hold meaning and purpose. I believe Paul’s wisdom of language is a lesson sorely needed in our modern world.

Friday: (1 Timothy 4:1-10) – In this short lesson, we find the Apostle’s exhortations to guide the Christian to a good and faithful life. Some of the guidance may seem a bit ambiguous, but the core of the message is that God speaks to our hearts plainly and lovingly. I believe this basic idea of our relationship with God is taught over and over by Jesus in the Gospels. If we hear Jesus’ simple and direct questions or guidance to others (such as, “what do you want me to do for you?” or “come and follow me”) we discover that God calls us without tricks or conditions. As the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, often says, “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.” Search for the simplicity of love in the moments of your life, the simplicity of love that comes without conditions, judgments, prejudices, or exclusions. God’s love is abundant and open, and we are welcomed into that eternal, loving embrace.

Saturday: (2 Timothy 2:1-7) – Living a life that is centered is the abundant and expansive love of God is not always easy, for God’s love comes without conditions, judgments, prejudices, and exclusions as we said yesterday. Much of the life we encounter is woven with conditions, judgments, prejudices, and exclusions; so the faithful life of a Christian is quite radical if we are to follow Christ. It is no wonder the Apostle Paul writes to those who dare follow Jesus, “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.” This advice is how we “bear witness to Christ’s love” in everything we do. Living this life is the life we are called to by Christ; so be strong and know that God has given you the grace of faith and courage in Christ to live the life Jesus has called you to follow.