Lenten Reflection: What happened On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday?

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

Just when I think I have some questions answered, more surface.  I thought about Holy Week as I was copying a paper cross to share with some friends. The cross was a palm leaf made into a cross with the cross empty. Well, that's easy--Palm Sunday to Easter in one image. That is when I paused. I know Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday night vigil, and Easter, but what about the early part of the week?

In rereading  Matthew 21-28, I discovered I had blended one day into another without any thought to each day's significance. By rereading, I separated the activities of Jesus during each day. Not all Biblical scholars agree about the days' division, but viewing each day gives me more understanding.

On Monday, Jesus returns to Jerusalem and cleanses the temple of those selling and buying in the temple.

Matthew 21:13 - "it is written 'my house shall be called a House of prayer'; But you are making it a den of robbers."

He also cured the blind and lame who came to him in the temple, and then he returned to Bethany.

On Tuesday, Jesus returns to Jerusalem. He meets with the upset temple leaders. They question him, and, in true Jesus style, he turns the questions on them.  Then he starts teaching by sharing several parables that we are familiar with: The Two Sons, The Wicked Tenants, The Wedding Banquet. The leaders unsuccessfully tried to trick him by asking him more questions. He returned to Bethany.

On Wednesday, Jesus spent the day in Bethany with his disciples doing more teaching (Matthew 24-26). This day is also known as "Spy Wednesday" because this was the day when Judas conspired to hand Jesus over. When Mary of Bethany visited Jesus, she anointed him with a costly oil:

8 But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? 9 For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (Matthew 8-11)

Holy Week—a week of cleansing, teaching, sharing, and preparing.

Prayer for Wednesday of Holy Week from the Book of Worship 348:

Most merciful God,

Your blessed Son, our Savior, was betrayed, whipped, and his face spat upon. Grant us grace to endure the sufferings of the present time, to overcome all that seeks to overwhelm us, confident of the glory that shall yet be revealed. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen

Lenten Reflection: Jesus Wept

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

"Jesus wept." (John 11:35)

He wept! Why? For a long time, I understood this to mean Jesus wept because his friend Lazarus was dead. However, reading the whole chapter, I understood that Jesus planned to raise Lazarus as another miracle done by the Human One. So, what was the weeping about? He showed Mary, Martha, and others his human nature and his compassion for them.

From Pauses for Lent, (p.41), "His tears remind us that God weeps with us, grieves with us, and suffers with us." What a gift from God!

After my husband died, I couldn't get through a church service without tears flowing. Forget about singing Eagle's Wings! In a conversation with Pastor Andy, I shared that I couldn't stop the tears during worship. He responded, "Perhaps that is where you feel closest to God and feel His love."  What a peace-giving thought. My pools of tears are okay because God is wrapping his loving arms around me and helping me find hope out of despair.

Lord, Hear My Prayer:

Turn to me, God, and have mercy on me

because I'm alone and suffering.

My heart's troubles keep getting bigger—

Set me free from my distress.  (Psalm 25:16-17, CEB}

Lenten Reflection: On Rest

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

Matthew 11:28-30

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (NRSVUE)

Recently, I have had discussions about rest. Several have suggested I needed to do that. I confessed I had trouble finding a "pause" button. So, when the word REST and this scripture appeared on Day 22 of Pauses For Lent, I knew I needed to reflect on it. I've lost count of the many times I've heard this passage and thought, "I am weary. I'd like to experience rest, but I need to make one more call, read one more email, send one more text..." Sound familiar?

As I paused to study this, I remembered Jesus was speaking to the crowds following him. The heavy burdens were the massive number of religious rules the Pharisees and Sadducees created to enhance the Ten Commandments. The rules numbered in the thousands. Practicing Jews couldn't possibly obey all of them and felt burdened.

Jesus' words teach what one needs to do to be an unburdened Christian. He said, "Learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls." Learning involves hearing, practicing, and applying His ways, which bring rest. He teaches me to care for my soul and find spiritual rest by:

·       giving up anxiety and experiencing peace

·       releasing depression and finding joy

·       naming fear and feeling love

·       replacing doubt and knowing hope.

How can His yoke be easy?   A yoke connects two animals with the experienced one providing leadership and direction as the inexperienced one learns. So, Jesus' easy yoke involves walking with Him and using His strength to lighten my load. If I do this, He promises rest that feeds my soul, relief that I am not alone in this journey, and refreshment so I can be a disciple carrying His message.

Reflection question:  What can I let go of today so I can rest and let God feed my soul?

Loving God,                                                                                                            Thank you for offering your yoke to us. Help us accept it and feel your presence in our daily lives. Guide us as we clear our calendars to make more time for you. May we feel refreshed as we do your will. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have you enjoyed these reflections? Has God placed a word on your heart to share with others? We invite you to consider sharing a brief scriptural reflection as well. Speak to Betty, our elected Lay Leader, or one of the pastors for more information.

Lenten reflection: 'Blessed are the peacemakers'

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 (NRSV)

When I read that passage in my Lenten study, I thought I do a good job being a peacemaker. But God nudged me with a question the meditation included, "Are you a peace-lover or a peacemaker?"

St. Francis's prayer, "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace," helped me reflect on that question. Actions can bring peace. I thought, "I help others, so I am on the right path."

God, the Disrupter, threw a zinger at me as I read the Daily Practice suggestion: "Think of someone with whom you are not on good terms. Ask God, "Lord, how can I be a peacemaker in this relationship?" (Pauses for Lent, p. 29). Of course, I could name someone.

I asked myself, "How do I become a peacemaker with this person?" As I wrote, resentments surfaced. Long ago, I learned that resentments happen because I want a person to be a certain way instead of accepting them as they are.

Out of this writing and reflecting, I created a list starting with ASK GOD to help me be a peacemaker in this relationship by:

• finding patience, compassion, and acceptance of this person

• being a patient listener

• examining the causes of the resentments and letting them go

• loving this person who is a child of God

Loving God,

I thank you for your patience as I journey with you.

Open my heart to find ways to be a peacemaker in all parts of my life.

Teach me to change my critical thoughts to loving thoughts.

Remind me of your desire for peace on earth, which begins with me.

In your beloved son's name. Amen.

Lenten reflection: 'Every useless word'

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

Matthew 12:36-37 (CEB)

36 I tell you that people will have to answer on Judgment Day for every useless word they speak. 37 By your words you will be either judged innocent or condemned as guilty."

When I read this passage, I gasped. Whoa! How many times have useless words come out of my mouth? Perhaps I excused myself by saying they were just "slips of the tongue" or "that person deserved those words." I paused to reflect on the meaning of Jesus' words.

I learned that "every useless word" comes from the Greek rema argos, meaning "careless or inactive or unprofitable words." Some other Bible translations use every idle word, every empty word, or every careless word. Idle? Empty? Careless? Words aren't just utterances. My thoughts went to the power of words; they can

            Wound or heal

            Break down or build-up

            Discourage or encourage

This passage reminded me of a friend's wisdom as I prepared to have a difficult conversation with another friend. She said: "Ask God for the words. If the words don't come, keep your mouth shut." Waiting for God's guidance helps me utter words that heal, build up, and help.

I look to the Holy Spirit to tame my tongue and guide my words. This Lent, I will consciously practice using helpful words daily. The words from Psalm 141:3 will guide me:

            "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;

            Keep close watch over the door of my lips."

Amen.