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 Sixth Sunday in Lent (Palm Sunday). 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: (Exodus 35:20-29) – This reading from Exodus describes how the Jewish people came together to build up its new community of faith through the generous free-will offerings of time, talent, and treasure. Through the many gifts of the people, a beautiful tabernacle was made to worship God. This is the lesson one hears from the reading assigned for the day. It is truly beautiful and uplifting, but as I read additional verses from the book of Exodus prior to our lesson of the day, I wonder if this lesson alone is a “Facebook moment?” Prior to our reading, the people made a golden calf to satisfy themselves during the long absence of Moses as he spoke to God, the original tablets of the Law are thrown to the ground and break (new ones are given from God), and in the verses just before our reading, God instructs the people to “rest and worship on the seventh day…or they will die!” (Exodus 35:2) I think our lesson from Exodus 35 is better heard in context (as is all Scripture) because we hear the generosity of God’s people in the midst of wonder, challenge, religious law, doubt, praise, and on and on. I believe it is important for us to hear the love and generosity of God’s people in this lesson, grounded in the knowledge that they did so in the midst of everything else they experienced as “real people”…real flawed, loving, sinful, generous, questioning people…just like we are too. This story happens as the uncertainty and the barrenness of the desert surround this community of faith, and yet they find the will to give to God, knowing that God is the giver of all things.

Tuesday: (Matthew 6:1-4) – This Scripture lesson is the fairly well-known “do not let everyone see how pious you are” lesson, oddly read every year on Ash Wednesday, just before being invited to come forward and have an ashen cross marked on your head for all to see. I will leave that “Ash Wednesday reflection” for another time, but this lesson (taken without its Ash Wednesday reference) is really a call to quiet humility in God. I am reminded of the words often attributed to Saint Francis, “go and preach the Gospel, using words when necessary.” The very pattern of our lives should be a prayer to God for the goodness of life bestowed upon each of us, and a joyous response of sharing the goodness of life with others. Love and hospitality are contagious, so spread God’s love in this way.

Wednesday: (Mark 6:30-44) – The feeding of the great multitude is a fascinating Scripture lesson for many reasons, not the least of which is that it takes place in a wilderness setting as Jesus and his disciples have been busy and are very tired. Jesus takes his closest followers to a remote place in the hope of getting some much needed rest, but the people and their desperate need follow Jesus…and he had compassion for them. There are many lessons to be learned from this story, and reflection should include both sides of this story…meaning, having compassion for those in need, yet realizing the great needs of the world continue and burnout is real; and giving people much needed assistance is important, but spiritual education and a personal life with God is something to not be neglected. The dual sided, “this, but that” nature of this story continues in many ways. Jesus teaches us to love others, but we must love ourselves too.

Thursday: (2 Corinthians 8:1-15) –

Friday: (2 Corinthians 9) –

Saturday: (2 Corinthians 11:7-11) –