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INTRODUCTION

So now Lent is here once again. During this season of Lent, as Christ takes up his cross for our salva-tion, he invites us to take up our crosses and follow him. Taking up a cross may be about fasting and ab-stinence, reflection and prayer. And, with this devotional booklet, as an aid, Lent can also be a time to study the life of Jesus more closely and to reflect on the meaning of his sacrifice for us and the mystery of his life and death and resurrection. The color for Lent is purple—symbolizing repentance: thinking about how our lives need to change. Lent is a time to renew our faith. It is a time to commit to personal change and to resolve to live a more responsible and humane life. That is repentance.

This year we mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, and we honor the impact of Martin Lu-ther’s courage and his lessons to us about God’s love for sinners and God’s gift of grace and forgiveness. Luther was concerned that Christians of his day knew very little about their faith, so he wrote the Small Catechism as a guide for families to learn the principles of the faith. His translation of the New Testament into German allowed the people to read scripture for the first time.

This year’s Devotional is radically different from past editions. Besides Bible passages, there are also many statements taken from the Catechism to be pondered and expanded on. Our fellow New Hope sis-ters and brothers have studied these passages and have shared with us their deepest thoughts about their own journeys to the Cross and beyond.

So we invite you to read these passages each day in Lent and to open your hearts to God and let him show you his love and his message of hope, rebirth, forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. As you read each day’s selection, we hope that you might echo Luther’s words: “This is most certainly true.”

Jim Rossi Chair, Education Ministry ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 GENESIS 3: 19 YOU ARE DUST

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Lately I’ve been cleaning out my attic with the help of one of my sons. He crawls up into the attic through that small opening in the ceiling and hands things down to me. I’ve lived in my house for 30+ years, and some of my “stuff” has been up there since I moved to my home. My belongings are in boxes and bags and containers of all sorts. I always thought it was a good idea to use those grocery store plastic bags because I’ve been told they won’t decompose. So, imagine my surprise when my son handed me a plastic bag, I grabbed it, and it disintegrated in my hands – the plastic bag became “dust.”

A Devotional for Lent 2017 Readings from the Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism

Written by Members of New Hope and Associates

Luther’s Small Catechism is available at the App store or click here.

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Immediately my mind went to the Bible passage: “you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Here was this plastic bag, which I was led to believe was supposed to outlast me, didn’t. I was reminded once again that all things – even my mortal body - will one day become dust and ashes.

On this Ash Wednesday we all are reminded of that, especially when we attend worship. “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” is said as the worship leader marks a cross of ashes on our fore-heads. Most leaders end that sentence there, but I had a pastor at a former congregation who continued to say, “and in Christ you shall rise again.”

Today we start Lent, a time of repentance, self-reflection, and a time to focus on our relationship with God. In the coming weeks, as we think about our finiteness, let us also think of the hope that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus brings us, for in Christ we shall rise again.

O Lord, support us all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (ELW, p. 284) Deacon Cindy Ranker THURSDAY, MARCH 2 GENESIS 17: 1-8 (NIV) SIGN OF THE COVENANT

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your de-scendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.

The life of Abram is told in the book of Genesis, and it is an amazing story. Abram is called “the friend of God” and “the father of the faithful.” Over many decades God appeared to Abram several times, promising Abram that he would be given the land of Canaan as his home, that he would be the father of many nations, and that his descendants would be everlasting descendants of God. During his life Abram faced many trials and encountered many snares; he made countless mistakes and committed countless sins; and he took matters into his own hands to attempt to fulfill God’s promises instead of waiting for God to fulfill them. Yet, through all this, he walked faithfully with God. Now Abram has reached the age of 99, and the Lord appears again to Abram and says, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” And God makes his covenant with Abram, who is now to be called Abraham.

As we examine our own life during this season of Lent we will see our story is not unlike Abram’s sto-ry. Like Abram, it feels as though we are living in a foreign world. We strive to live righteous lives accord-ing to God’s will for us, but, we also are tempted to take matters into our own hands. Like Abram, God has made promises to us; so, let us remember to walk before God faithfully. Let us remember that we are God’s children: our inheritance is life eternal in heaven; we can’t earn it, we just have to accept God’s gift of grace.

Have you listened recently to “Amazing Grace”? There are several verses that tell the universal story of our struggles. It is the story of Abram, it is my story, and it is probably your story, too...

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Through many dangers, toils and snares, have already come. ‘tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

Dear Almighty God, during this season of Lent safely guide us, as you guided Abram, to walk faithfully through life’s dangers, through unending toils, and through life’s snares. Lord, through your gift of grace, we have hope and faith that you, our sovereign God, will shield us as long as life endures. Amen. Nancy Beck FRIDAY, MARCH 3 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other Gods before me.

We are all familiar with this first commandment, and Luther’s catechism teaches us that following this commandment means “We should fear, love and trust God above all things.” It seems so straight forward and we all obey it, right? Well, maybe not completely.

The word trust is interesting in this sense. Do we trust that God will care for us through all evil or do we wane in our trust depending on whether times are good for us?

I like the absolute of the commandments and this one is no different. “You shall have no other Gods before me” and “trust God above all things”. As believers we are commanded to fear, love and trust God through all phases of our lives because, in the end, God promises us eternal life with Him. Glory to God! Dear Lord, thank you for providing us the commandments, which help us steer our lives back to you when we stray. Amen. Lance Ernst SATURDAY, MARCH 4 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE APOSTLES’ CREED – FIRST ARTICLE

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth…

Believe: “To hold something to be true. To be sure of the truth of it.” My own belief in God began as a child. I can still remember the little catechism that I held in my hands.

It had a handmade little cover of silver and blue leather-like material and was laced together with a blue cord. I was just 5 or 6 when I came into possession of it to study from during catechism classes after school at my Lutheran church. I believed this first article because my parents and Pastor Dinkle and oth-ers whom I trusted were believers and told me the stories of the Bible.

For many of us, our belief in God starts as just that - a holding of the truth of it because we trust the source of the information. But faith grounded in that way can start to crumble when we hear from alter-native sources. Faith grounded as such can be hard to find when we experience tough times. We may begin to doubt the truth of God’s existence as creator and caregiver. But if we are open to the Spirit, our life’s journey will be marked along the way with experiences that solidify our awareness of God’s pres-ence. We will no longer ground our faith in what others tell us but rather in our own experience.

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As we watch the setting sun, we experience the Almighty. As we are comforted in a moment, we ex-perience his love. It is palpable and we know and are certain that this love exists and that our lives have meaning through our creator. Others may doubt, but we know our own experience. We are certain of the truth of it. Gracious father, thank you for those moments of certainty, when we experience your presence and are sure of your love. In times of doubt, help us to open ourselves to the spirit so that we may see your presence in the beauty of a field or the smile on someone’s face and know that you are with us. Amen. Kathy Glyshaw SUNDAY, MARCH 5 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE APOSTLES’ CREED – SECOND ARTICLE

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

After being a Lutheran since birth, I’m finally taking the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation to learn more about Luther the reformer, an extraordinary man.

In his Large Catechism, Luther says that the Gospel we preach depends on the proper understanding of this article. I’ll focus my understanding on the following portion of Luther’s explanation to the Second Article of the Creed: On Redemption:

…He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned human being. He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death…

The good news that Luther discovered is that we are free from worrying and struggling over how much we need to do to satisfy God. Romans 3:28 says “a person is justified by faith apart from works pre-scribed by the law.” We aren’t saved through anything that we do. We aren’t saved by buying indulgenc-es, or any amount of money that we give or works that we do, or anything a religious leader says, and not even by our own merit. We are justified by grace through faith as a gift.

Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, is the one who bought us at a great cost to himself and freed us from all sins. Now we belong to him. Now we are free to live our lives serving him. We are free to do good works in the name of Jesus Christ because we want to be like him, not because we have to do good works to earn salvation. Dear Jesus, Thank you for bringing us the gift of salvation. Let us follow your example by bringing justice and mercy to the world. Amen. Linda Yergey MONDAY, MARCH 6 MARK 8: 31-36 TAKE UP MY CROSS

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the el-ders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he re-

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buked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?

First time I heard those words, take up the cross, was during a sermon in 1997. Unexpectedly, the pas-tor called out several names during his sermon of those bearing crosses, including mine. Hearing my name from the pulpit sent a ripple of anxiety through my gut. I gripped the seat of the pew; my finger-nails dug into the wooden bench to hold back a tsunami of grief. My mask of strength and bravery during those many months was for the benefit of my three-year-old daughter. I was caring for my deathly ill fa-ther, a victim of an HMO system and a “standard procedure” that went terribly wrong--with a toddler, his granddaughter, in hand, as a single parent holding down a high-pressure job. I never stopped to think about the enormity of the responsibilities. I never thought, “This is impossible.” There was no time to re-flect; it had to be done. So I did it. The pastor naming me as a cross bearer was the first time I realized how others saw me, and it broke away a large chunk of my armor.

My faith, at that time, was missing. It was stored in a box sitting on a shelf in the closet. Out of sight. It would take years for me to realize that I did not go through that painful journey alone with my daughter. Like Jesus on that dark Friday, others walked with me, helping to carry the cross—through prayers, phone calls, emails, meals, babysitting, and listening…lots and lots of listening. My faith was absent, but their faith was not.

Jesus is with us always to help us take up our crosses and carry them. He shows up as a friend, a kind stranger, or even as a happy toddler to make us laugh in our darkest moments. I pray I live my life through Jesus and help others carry their crosses—especially when their faith is locked away in storage. Dear God, thank you for your Son, Jesus, who is always with us, helping us, carrying us—even when we be-lieve He is not near. Amen. Juanita Walker TUESDAY, MARCH 7 MARK 14: 60-62 THE SON OF MAN

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ Jesus said, ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.” ‘

It is interesting how Jesus replies to the high priest in this verse; I thought about when Pilate asked Jesus the same question, but he replied with “You say so.” To the high priest Jesus declares himself the Messiah, the Son of God. Why doesn’t Jesus give this same reply to Pontius Pilate? Is it perhaps because of Pilate’s uncertainty of what exactly Jesus is? The high priest and the council believed that Jesus was a criminal and wanted him punished, so perhaps Jesus replied so directly to the council because he under-stood his role and need to die on the cross for all of humanity. He recognized that the council had already made up their mind to crucify Jesus.

We as Christians repeat Jesus’s reply to the council every Sunday during the Apostles’ Creed. We acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God who took away our sins. While we most likely do not deserve this, Jesus’s actions and sacrifice gave us renewal and hope. While our faith may not be rock sol-

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id, it is powerful to know that we are loved regardless, and that despite our shortcomings, God sent Jesus to save us.

Heavenly God, Thank you for sending us your son despite our shortcomings. May we strive to live and do your will on this Earth as Jesus did for us. Amen. Ina O’Ryan WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

When I read this Catechism passage, it wraps me in the warm knowledge that God is great. He will be

there for me and for all of us no matter what we do; but, as with all fathers, it is important to look up to him, believe in him, and try to emulate his actions. He is wise and he deserves our respect. We listen to his teachings, believe in his wisdom, and try to live our lives in a way that will make him proud. We know we will be welcomed in his house forever.

Like your birth father, God will take care of you, so do what you can in your lives to honor God: pray to him, listen to him, and you will find the strength that you need. Dear Father, humble me in prayer and allow me to know your wisdom and your strength. Amen. Yvonne Perry

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE LORD’S PRAYER

Give us this day our daily bread.

In the Lord’s Prayer we ask our Father for “our daily bread.” What does this mean? Surely we can’t live by bread alone!

This phrase refers to so much more than the literal meaning of the words. We are asking God for not only our daily needs of food, clothing and shelter, but also for other items necessary in life. “Our Daily Bread” includes our own family’s needs of health, wealth and contentment, as well as our friends’ and neighbors’ needs. It includes prayers for our government, the weather, safety, peace and honor for all. We pray for faithful neighbors and true friends. We pray that everyone will have their daily needs met and that we will live in peace and love one another.

What a beautiful thought! When you think of all that this seemingly simple petition says – “Give us this day our daily bread” = the

words take on a much more powerful meaning. Dear Lord, We thank you for your gifts of “our daily bread” and all that You have blessed us with. Continue to watch over and protect ALL of your children as You embrace us in Your loving arms. Amen, Let it be so. Dr. Josie Zayac

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FRIDAY, MARCH 10 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE SACRAMENTS OF HOLY BAPTISM

What is Baptism?

In the Lutheran church, Baptism is one of two sacraments. A sacrament is something that manifests for us a spiritual bond to God. It has sacred significance; therefore, we treat the sacraments differently, ceremoniously and holy. A sacrament is not just words. Baptism is not just water; it is blessed water used together with God’s Word and by His command to mediate God’s Grace to us.

In the mid-1980’s I moved to Maryland and found myself in a class in a Lutheran church in Laurel. The topic of the class was Lutheranism; basically, what do Lutherans believe? The minister of the church was the instructor. Although I do not remember particulars of this class, I do remember the instruction on the sacraments. The Roman Catholic Church, at the time of Luther, and to this day, has seven sacraments. Lu-ther reduced that to two sacraments, Baptism and Communion. The class taught me that the reason Lu-ther decided on two sacraments was that he was defining “sacrament” differently. Luther made the sac-raments God-centered and also earthly, being something that we can touch and feel. Luther used three attributes to define a sacrament, and a sacrament must have all three. The minister mentioned the fol-lowing mnemonic to help remember the attributes of a sacrament: “CC”, “EE”, and “GG”.

“CC”= Christ Command. According to Luther, a sacrament must be something that was commanded by Christ. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This was a command that Christ gave to his followers.

“EE” = Earthly Element. Secondly, Luther thought a sacrament should have an earthly element associ-ated with it. For Baptism the earthly element is undeniably water. For me personally, having a physical earthly element helps me to feel the sacrament as a testament to God’s grace and, thus, of my spiritual bond to God.

“GG” – God’s Grace. Finally, Luther felt a sacrament should be a testament of God’s Grace. Through our baptism ceremony and with the holy water of the sacrament, we believe we have the gift of salvation only by the Grace of God. Truly, Baptism conveys to us the gift of God’s Grace.

So, what is baptism? It is a rite, instituted by Jesus Christ as a channel to mediate God’s grace to us on earth. I think it is one of those special “thin spaces” that connects earth and heaven. Prayer of thanks: Thank you, Jesus, for providing us sacraments that allow us to feel your grace through a substance that we can understand, connecting our earthly lives to your heavenly promise. Amen. Beth DiMaria SATURDAY, MARCH 11 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE SACRAMENTS OF HOLY BAPTISM

What benefits does God give in Baptism?

Do you remember and can you list any of the blessings of baptism which Luther wrote about in his Small Catechism? Have you read Luther’s Small Catechism lately (I do not mean when you were having difficulty sleeping)? Let me back up a bit: do you still have a Small or Large or any Catechism for that mat-ter? Alright, now that I’ve got your attention, when was the last time you gave any thought to the act of being baptized? Maybe you were baptized as an infant or toddler and have absolutely no recollection of the event except for the photo or old church bulletin that someone gave you as a keepsake. Maybe you were baptized as a teenager or adult and have a very good recollection of the experience. Either way let’s

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get back to the original question – do you know and/or remember what God has given you (each of us) through the sacrament of baptism?

Frankly, when I posed this question to myself, I had to admit that I had not thought about my baptism for many years until asked about it during an opening conversation at a recent Thursday night Pub Theol-ogy gathering. As I drove home, I wondered how such an important event, as evidenced by all of my many mementos of the event, could be so forgotten. Very much like the box of mementos that is stored in my basement, my memories of learning about baptism from confirmation class, as well as school were packed away in the basement of my mind.

In his Small Catechism, Luther starts out by asking the following question, “What is baptism?” Of course, he provides the answer which is that “baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water com-prehended in God’s command and connected with God’s word.” To support his definition, Luther uses Matthew 28:18-20, which for many of us is known as the “great commission.” In these verses, we are commanded to go into the world, teach people the good news of Jesus Christ, and then baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The next big question that Luther asks is, “What does baptism give or profit? In other words, what’s in it for us? His response, from my 1953 version of the catechism, is, “It (baptism) works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.” To better understand this, Luther wrote in his Large Catechism that “when our sin and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say, nevertheless, I am baptized, and if I am baptized, (God) promises me that I shall be saved and have eternal life.” So, it would appear from Luther’s perspective that our baptism is not an isolated event. Rather, it is an ongoing pro-cess that may be considered foundational to our relationship with God and others. Baptism could be de-scribed as daily renewal and/or cleansing. Like our daily rituals of cleaning our physical bodies with water, baptism helps us to continue to renew and cleanse our spirit with God.

What’s in it for us? Life here and now, as well as life in eternity. These are the blessings of baptism that God has promised us. As we remember the gift of eternal life through your son Jesus Christ this Lenten season, help us to remain ever confident in the blessings that we have received and continue to receive daily because of our baptism. Amen. Deborah Rizzo-Meyer SUNDAY, MARCH 12 LUKE 4:4: 1-13 JESUS IN THE WILDERNESS

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’ Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glo-ry and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels con-cerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he depart-

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ed from him until an opportune time.

The authors of all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) thought that the story of Jesus going into the wilderness and being tempted or tested by the Adversary was important enough to include in their narratives. The event occurs immediately after Jesus is baptized by John and before Jesus chooses His disciples or does any acts of ministry.

Since Jesus went into the wilderness alone, how did we get this story? He must have told His disciples (or a crowd to whom He was preaching) of the temptations He had wrestled with. The story is memora-ble and regarded as important because the temptations have a common thread, I think. The tempter offers power, and power is seductive. Turning stones into bread and jumping off buildings without being hurt represent power over the physical and biological world. Yet subsequently, Jesus will perform many miracles that are signs of power over these domains. What the tempter offers seems to be the tempta-tion of showing off what you can do for the mere sake of showing off. (On a much smaller scale, when I play music or show photographs, is it to demonstrate how good I am, or to share beauty with others? I hope the latter, but…..)

The other tempting power is that of control over the lives of other people (all the kingdoms of the world). This too has great appeal today, both political and personal, just as it did in Israel’s history. (I can-not call myself immune to this, either. At times, I wish I could control some aspects of other people’s be-liefs for what I consider a greater good – safety, justice and mercy.)

Jesus rejects the temptations by referring to portions of Deuteronomy, part of the Torah, the basis for Hebrew belief. Is it all too easy? Just quote your handy bit of Scripture when tempted. But, “worship God alone” is easier said than lived out; “the Devil waits for a more opportune time”. These temptations con-stantly recur in different (dis)guises.

O God, angels tended to Jesus after His struggle in the desert. Keep us mindful of your presence as we wrestle with doubt and temptation, and help us to be constantly aware that we are not alone in Your world. Amen. Dave Pumplin MONDAY, MARCH 13 REVELATION 20: 7-10 SATAN’S DOOM

When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as nu-merous as the sands of the sea. They marched up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from heaven and consumed them. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

This passage tells us that Satan will be bound in prison for 1,000 years. After being released, he will de-ceive many people and entice them to join him in fighting God and God’s people. God destroys Satan. This is the end and the final judgment for Satan. We see a clear description of hell here (“the lake of fire and sulphur,” where they are “tormented day and night”).

This passage shows how we, as humans, are susceptible to sin and temptations, including power, glo-ry and money. We sometimes believe lies when they are convenient. We rebel against God when the right way is also the harder way.

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This is not easy stuff to hear. I’ll admit I struggled with how to interpret this passage and its message. Here’s the positive side that I see in it: God rewards us for faithfulness. God knows what is in our hearts and sees our love for Him, even if we aren’t always great at showing it and expressing it. During this Len-ten season, we can strengthen our faithfulness through practices like prayer, weekly worship, singing hymns, community service, and reading daily devotionals. Gracious God, please help us to resist sin and follow your will. Help us to see clearly and not be deceived by lies and evil forces. In full humbleness, we ask for your guidance and your grace. Amen. Leah Shepherd

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 MATTHEW 3: 1-2 REPENTANCE

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

There had been no prophets for 300 years, since Malachi. Now John appears to introduce and prepare Israel for Jesus. John the Baptist was preaching repentance. He appeared in the wilderness of Judea, which was not an unpopulated land, but a land of fewer people with only 6 cities and their villages. John preached in those villages and cities. The Old Testament told us that the 10 Commandments, the Law, was given in the wilderness, and the beginning of Jesus’s ministry also took place there.

The wilderness speaks to me of the deserts in our hearts, the coldness and hardness of heart toward others, the anger, violence, greed, jealousy, and hate. It is this for which we must repent, so that we can prepare for Jesus and the coming of the kingdom of heaven. We prepare by repenting, so that we may open our hearts to Jesus and to hear God’s Word and his grace.

Dear Lord, You have been so good to us. We are filled with hatred and anger and greed. We have many sins. Help us realize our need for repentance that we might prepare for Jesus with an open heart. Amen. Marg Goodlin WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 ISAIAH 55: 6-9 SEEK THE LORD

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

These words bring so much comfort. I find myself these days in an almost permanent state of stress. Way too much negativity and anger in the universe. Not within my circle of friends and family, but out there in the world. It is hard to know how to process all the negativity, anger and outright lies that seem to abound in our world these days.

BUT, Lent is a time to stop and reflect and prepare for Jesus’ death and resurrection. These stories and promises offer such grace. So, here are some thoughts, in no particular order:

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The human response to rebellion is always harsh, but God’s response is always mercy.

Fear, anxiety and disappointment should drive us to Christ. Only in Him will we find rest.

Wealth, power and pleasures will not yield comfort and contentment for our souls.

We forgive but cannot forget. When God forgives, He remembers no more.

Instead of being profane, contentious and selfish, be patient, humble, kind and peaceable.

So, as we walk to the Cross, let us try and remember that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and neither are our ways His ways. He has a plan and He has our backs and in Him we have Eternal Life and the gift of unbounded grace.

Dear Lord, remind me every day that you are in control. Remind me in my moments of anxiety and worry that in the end Your ways lead to the eternal. Amen. Susie Jordan THURSDAY, MARCH 16 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM CONFESSION

What is private confession? How must we confess our sins privately? Private confession, or individual confession and forgiveness, as it is referred to in the Small Catechism,

is not something that I generally give a lot of thought about. I mean, every Sunday we have the oppor-tunity to confess our sins right at the beginning of the liturgy during Confession and Forgiveness and then again when we pray the Lord’s Prayer together. Shouldn’t this public confession be enough? And isn’t the whole confessional concept a Roman Catholic thing anyway?

Actually, Martin Luther himself highly recommended the practice and commented on how much com-fort and strength private confession had given him. The Augsburg Confession states that “private absolu-tion (forgiveness) should be retained and not allowed to fall into disuse,” and in the Large Catechism Lu-ther writes, “When I urge you to go to confession, I am simply urging you to be a Christian.” Because through confession, we are able to hear Christ’s word of forgiveness, and with this forgiveness, we re-ceive new life in the freedom of God’s grace. If we understand Christ’s free forgiveness as being the cen-tral focus of private confession, rather than just an exercise of listing our personal sins, perhaps we can then approach confession as something we get to do rather than have to do.

Martin Luther left us simple guidelines to follow in the Small Catechism, instructing us on how to ap-proach private confession, a conversation between our pastor and ourselves. In this practice, our pastor (or our diaconal minister) are Christ’s ear and mouth and as we voluntarily name our sins out loud, those which are heavy on our hearts, we receive complete forgiveness and our sins are forgotten. What a gift, and, yes, as Luther noted, what a comfort. Perhaps it is then, as Paul instructs us in Ephesians 4:32, that we can truly “’be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, as God in Christ forgave you.” Dear Lord, as we remember and name the ways we have sinned in thought, word and deed, we also re-member that through Christ, our sins are forgiven. Thank you for the gift of confession and help us to un-derstand and trust this practice as part of our Christian experience. Amen. Kara O’Ryan

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FRIDAY, MARCH 17 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM HOW MAY WE BE ASSURED OF FORGIVENESS?

What does Luther’s small catechism say about this?

Forgiveness of sins and our redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ is a basic tenet of Christian faith. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism is filled with references to God’s promise of forgiveness. In the final analysis, it is a matter of faith. As Luther says in his explanation of the third article of the Apostle’s Creed, “I believe that by my own reason or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him... he daily and abundantly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers...”

In the Sacrament of the Altar (Holy Communion) the words of institution repeat the words of Jesus: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Lu-ther says, “By these words the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given to us in the sacrament, for where there is forgiveness of sins, there are also life and salvation.”

So our faith, which allows us to believe, and forgiveness, which gives us eternal life and salvation, are gifts that we cannot earn but can only accept in humble gratitude. Where is the assurance we seek for our own satisfaction and preservation? It is in the sacrament of Baptism that washes away our sins. It is in Ho-ly Communion that allows us to physically be part of the body of Christ which offers forgiveness and eter-nal salvation. And it is in God’s own witness through the words of his Son and devoted followers for thou-sands of years as chronicled for us in the Holy Bible and reiterated in the responses to our earnest prayers.

Heavenly Father, we are often frightened by evil. Sometimes even by our own evil intentions or neglect. Thank you for the gifts of faith and the promise of forgiveness and eternal life through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Chris Phillips SATURDAY, MARCH 18 PSALM 46: 1-7 GOD IS WITH US

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habi-tation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morn-ing dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Earthquakes and landslides. Floods. Volcanic eruptions. Hurricanes. Wildfires. Sinkholes. Nature is not static. Earth’s mantle and crust are constantly in motion. Abrupt weather changes can bring devastating wind, rain, blizzards, ice and drought.

When natural disasters occur, we consider it government’s role to provide a quick response, emergen-cy funding and other forms of assistance, but global news reports constantly remind us that political lead-ership can be corrupt, preoccupied with war or other exigencies, ineffective, and all too frequently incom-petent.

In the face of emergencies and crises both large and small, food, shelter, and medical care are priority necessities. But so too is the correct state of mind: the ability to remain calm, meet adversity with com-posed resolve, power through, and persevere.

When everything around us can fail, we look for reassurance. This Psalm, ascribed to the sons of Ko-rah, tells us we can find unfailing reassurance in God, who is with us and whose promise is with us even in

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the midst of disaster, even when the most common things we rely on and the most common assump-tions we have fail. In the case of the authors, even when your own father and his followers are swallowed up by a sinkhole as a punishment for rebelling against Moses and God’s plan for the Israelites.

“Know God, Know Peace,” bumper stickers tell us today. This doesn’t mean that nothing bad will ever happen to those who look to God for strength. Rather, it assures us that when things do go wrong, we can rely on God’s strength to be there when we need it most. Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for your unfailing presence, your unfailing promise, and for your un-failing strength in times of loss, disaster, and desperation. We give you thanks for the refuge you offer in times of need, when our own strength falls short. You are with us always. Take from us our stress and wor-ry, and help us know the peace that comes from placing our trust in you. Amen. George, Terri and Tom Berkheimer SUNDAY, MARCH 19 PSALM 127: 1 EXCEPT THE LORD KEEP THE CITY

Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. (King James Version)

On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was to deliver a speech that afternoon at the Trade Mart in Dallas, Texas, but his life on earth was cut short by hatred and an assassin’s bullets. It was a speech about our goals as a nation and a desire for peace on earth and good will toward our neighbors. Ignorance and misinformation, he wrote, dangerously handicap our security. Our leadership must be guided by learning and reason. This speech was also to be a strong statement of faith in our Creator. He was to end the speech with the quote from Psalm 127.

This Bible passage speaks to me louder than ever at this time of uncertainty for our country. It re-minds us that the most important lesson to be learned is that our human endeavors are futile without di-rection from God and without seeking God’s help. Building houses and families and communities may be a basic and necessary human activity, but without God’s guidance in our lives, conflict and corruption and evil are free to take over.

God taught us to love him and to love our neighbor as ourselves, and Jesus led his life showing us how to live putting our faith into practice. Being a Christian challenges us to live our lives the way Jesus led his, to the best of our ability. That includes caring for the sick and poor and the marginal persons in our nation and the world. Those with whom we disagree on basic faith and political principles are also our neighbors and are to be respected—not just tolerated and certainly not hated.

God’s blessings are offered to us every day. God is present in our lives—empowering the watchman and keeping the city. We simply have to let him in and do his will, at every level of our lives. Father, we pray for our nation at this time of upheaval, and we ask that you watch over us and guide us with your Word. We ask that you guide our leaders in the path of truth and reason and righteousness, in the name of our Savior and our Role-model Jesus. Amen. Jim Rossi

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MONDAY, MARCH 20 JOHN 8: 12 I AM THE LIGHT

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in dark-ness but will have the light of life.’

This is one of my favorite Bible verses. Each time I read or hear it, several visions come to mind; for ex-ample, attending an evening Holden vespers service, singing Silent Night at a Christmas Eve service, or using a flashlight or candle during an electricity outage. It also causes me to recall difficult or emotionally challenging times in my life when I felt lost, discouraged, sad, or confused - which I would characterize as being in a dark place and looking for a pathway out of that darkness.

This verse helps me remember that, in good times and bad, Jesus is with me each and every day. The poem, Footprints in the Sand, reminds me of this point. If you recall, a follower of Christ is in a conversa-tion with the Lord and essentially asks why in good times he walks by our side; so there are two sets of footprints in our path of life, but in difficult times he is seemingly absent because there is only one set of footprints on that path. The poem says, the Lord responds to this question by saying:

“My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and tests. When you only saw one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

I think of this as Jesus shining his light on each of us in our daily lives and our faith journey.

Good and gracious God, I am grateful for the gift of light that you shine on me each and every day. Help me to walk faithfully in your light today. Amen. Janice Nicholas TUESDAY, MARCH 21 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE APOSTLES’ CREED - THIRD ARTICLE

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resur-rection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Martin Luther asks, “What does this mean?” and then answers: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him;

but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly for-gives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.”

Growing up in northern Minnesota, where Lutheranism is the dominant religion, the textbook for the final year of my church’s confirmation class was titled “I believe in the Holy Spirit” and the text often came back to this one question and answer from the Small Catechism. I was a good student, and I dutiful-ly memorized the assigned passages of the catechism. And yet, it was the last hurdle to overcome in my church’s confirmation process which finally taught me the Lutheran understanding of this article of faith, and in some sense, of the whole Good News.

The last test to pass was an interview with the Senior Pastor of the church. The interview started with his simple question: “Are you going to heaven?” There it was. Blunt and simple. The real question about personal Christian belief, at least as my fourteen year old self conceived it. Honestly, I hemmed and hawed. I said “I think so,” and “I hope so.” It wasn’t that I doubted God, or Jesus’ saving acts. I doubted

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my worthiness. Was I good enough or faithful enough to earn this reward? To my relief, Pastor Larson quickly said, “The correct and definite answer is ‘Yes.’“ Then we talked about why.

Luther’s answer to this question is key. There is nothing I do to earn grace. Even my belief is a gift of the Holy Spirit. And faith is only one of the Spirit’s gifts. The others are a community, a shared life, grace for our sinfulness, and a new and full life. I remember coming away from that interview feeling free of a burden that I had not realized I was carrying. Holy Spirit, thank you for the gifts you share with us, and strengthen us to employ those gifts to extend God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness and life to our community. This is most certainly true. Amen. David Ose WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE LORD’S PRAYER

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

Luther’s explanation of this petition in the Lord’s Prayer is as relevant now as in Luther’s time, or in-deed in Jesus’ time. Luther writes, “we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us, nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and gain the victory... [and also that God] would deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and hon-or, and at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this va-le of tears to Himself into heaven.”

The Lord’s Prayer is truly what one might call a corporate prayer, in the sense that when we pray this prayer, we join in doing so with Christians of every time and place, from biblical times until the present moment. The disciples said, “Teach us to pray”, and Jesus taught them a prayer that begins with “Our Father”, and not “My Father”. This a prayer that WE pray, and not just a prayer that you or I might pray as individuals.

As I write these words on a Friday afternoon, it occurs to me that, all things considered, it has been a good week. I myself am not in a “time of trial”. But when it comes to friends and colleagues at work or at church, I think of families enduring staggering losses; colleagues dealing with devastating illnesses; young people facing terrible financial pressure; and our country’s political life descending deeper into division and nastiness. Luther’s time was no different: Europe of five centuries ago also faced disease, poverty, discord, and uncertainty. Whether centuries ago, or today, it is always a time of trial.

Allow me to suggest that one could from time to time pray the Lord’s Prayer silently, as usual, while in-serting the phrase “around the world,” into the prayer wherever it might fit. For example, “Give us today, around the world, our daily bread”, or “May your name be kept holy, around the world”, as a reminder that Jesus gave this prayer not just to you, or me, or the Twelve, but to all Christians, for all time. Charles Nicholas

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THURSDAY, MARCH 23 LUKE 18: 9-14 THE TAX COLLECTOR

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee standing by himself was saying thus, “God I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulter-ers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt them-selves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’

The Pharisee believes that he deserves God’s approval because he has good conduct, in compliance with the Mosaic Law. He prays with confidence that God will favor him because he has not committed sins. He also believes that other people who are thieves, rogues, adulterers, and tax collectors disobey God’s commandments, become sinners, and they do not deserve God’s favor. The Pharisee judges the sinners. The Tax collector, on the other hand, examines his own behavior and confesses his sins to God sincerely. He humbly begs God to forgive his sins and show mercy; he does not feel entitled to God’s acceptance. Je-sus says that the humble tax collector went home justified, and that the proud Pharisee did not receive pardon.

As Christians, we believe that all humankind share a sinful nature. We are all sinners and therefore we sin. We do not believe that we commit sin and therefore become sinners. Jesus was pointing out that the Pharisee’s proud and self-righteous behavior is sinful behavior, which should be confessed in the same way that the tax collector confesses his dishonest ways of handling other people’s money. Jesus revealed to us that the Pharisee is blind to his own sins and fails to confess before God, whereas the tax collector acknowledges personal wrongdoings, confesses willingly, and actually receives God’s mercy.

Dear God, please help us to see our own faults and forgive us for the times we fail to confess our own pride and unjust behavior toward others. Please help us to acknowledge our own sinful nature and bless us so we can become more like you in our capacity to forgive and show mercy to others. Amen. Sangeetha Struck FRIDAY, MARCH 24 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE LORD’S PRAYER

And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. What does this mean?

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he made forgiveness the cornerstone of their relationship with God. We are urged to forgive those who have wronged us. To remain unforgiving shows we have not un-derstood that we ourselves deeply need to be forgiven.

Rabbis before Jesus taught that people should forgive others, but only three times. Maybe that’s where “three strikes and you’re out” is derived from? Peter, thinking more generously asked Jesus if seven times was enough times to forgive someone. Jesus upped the ante and answered, “Seventy times seven times,” indicating that we really shouldn’t keep count of how many times we forgive someone, and that we should always forgive others, no matter how many times they ask.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians encourages us to follow Christ’s law of forgiveness “be kind and compas-sionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” However, God does not forgive us because we forgive others, but solely because of his great mercy. Hopefully, by receiving this grace and mercy we will find it within ourselves to also forgive others. Because God has forgiven all our sins, we should not withhold forgiveness from others. Realizing how completely Christ has forgiven us should produce a free and generous attitude of forgiveness toward others.

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When we don’t forgive others, we are setting ourselves outside and above Christ’s Law of love, “Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of forgiveness that you offer to me daily. I often don’t know that what I am saying and doing hurts others. Help me to not hurt others and to follow your ways. Likewise, help me to sincerely forgive those who hurt me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Jean Rossi SATURDAY, MARCH 25 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE APOSTLES’ CREED - SECOND ARTICLE

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. What does this mean?

We utter these words by habit every Sunday, but when you stop to think about what they mean, and all their implications, it is just mind boggling.

Jesus ascended bodily into heaven, having conquered sin and shrugging off death while in human form. Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man, ascended into heaven. He returned to heaven, but not as he had been. He was *always* the Son of God, from before the beginning of time. He *became* the Son of Man in obedience to God when he took on human form and lived among us. He didn’t shed his Son of Man-ness when he was resurrected and then ascended. He kept it:

“But he (Stephen), full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (Acts 7:55-56)

Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man - a resurrected, holy, as-God-intended-his-creation-to-be, man - sits at the right hand of God. The separation between God and Man imposed by sin and Man’s banishment from God’s presence in the Garden of Eden is GONE. Not will-be-gone-someday. *IS* GONE! That’s pretty amazing news!

Why? So what’s He doing there, and what does that mean for the rest of us? Well, He told His disciples that He’s gone to prepare a place for us; to open the way to God’s presence

for us. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) He is our Great High Priest in the temple of Holy God, interceding for us, advocating for us … as the Son of Man … knowing fully what it is to be Man. Every struggle, every temptation, every betrayal, every disappointment, every abandonment, every pain … He’s experienced them all, He’s borne them all. He didn’t forget. He’s the filter through which God sees us. We’re sinful, He is not. He’s already paid the price for all of our sins, and His presence with God is a constant, “PAID IN FULL” stamp on us, so that we can have fellowship with God. Without Him there next to God, we are hopelessly lost, without any way to approach God.

“He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” When Jesus comes again to finally restore all creation, there will be judgment, since God’s very nature does not tolerate sin. It’s not negotiable. It doesn’t depend on us understanding it or being comfortable with that idea, it just IS; just as darkness cannot exist in the presence of light, sin cannot exist in the presence of God. Just imagine … No Sin, ev-er, anywhere. Isn’t that an amazing concept? Who could accomplish that? Only God. But what about us? Jesus is the one doing the judging. Remember that “PAID IN FULL” stamp? He’s the one who gave it to us. All we can do is trust in Him.

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Jesus, thank you that your presence in heaven allows me to have fellowship with God. Thank you for pay-ing the price for my sins and that you are a holy and trustworthy judge who will come again to finally elimi-nate sin forever. Amen. Sondra Ailinger

SUNDAY, MARCH 26 ISAIAH 53: 4-6 THE SUFFERING SERVANT

Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53: 4-6 is a familiar Bible reading. It describes the “suffering servant.” It is part of the fourth of the “servant songs” found in the book of Isaiah. It is part of the story of our salvation.

As I look at these verses I have some questions. Who is this written about? Who was it written to? What was going on at the time it was written? The answers to these questions vary. Christians believe that the servant is Jesus. Historically this section of Isaiah is thought to be written after the exile around 538 BCE. Some Jewish scholars say this chapter is talking about the end of days when God has redeemed Israel. The suffering servant is either the nation of Israel or the Jewish people (depending on which schol-ar you ask). They have taken on the afflictions and sins from their conquering oppressors. God has re-mained faithful and vindicated his people. That is Isaiah’s message of hope.

So, is this a message of hope for Israel or a prophecy foretelling about Jesus? Does it have to be one or the other? Fred Gaiser, professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, wrote this (from www.enterthebible.org):

Like all books of prophecy, Isaiah should be read both with an ear for its message to the present hearer and with recognition of its roots in a particular historical time and place. It was a book addressed to its own time, but because the word of God en-dures throughout all generations, it speaks to the modern reader as well--not as predictions of the present and future from a distant past, but as a living word of God that brings hope and challenge now just as it has done throughout the ages.

We believe that these verses tell us about Jesus and his sacrifice for us. The world misunderstood him

and we went our own way. Because of our sinfulness we deserved God’s punishment. Because God loves us, our punishment was laid on Jesus. He wasn’t guilty but he took our place and gave us salvation. Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take on our iniquities and transgressions. Thank you for your prophets who wrote your words for their times and also for us in our time. Amen. Sue Biermann MONDAY, MARCH 27 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE APOSTLES’ CREED - SECOND ARTICLE

He descended to the dead (He descended into hell). What does this mean?

Jesus died. He, an innocent man, the Son of God, suffered a horrific death on the cross - for us. He did-n’t need to, and could have saved himself. But for us, he died. And, as we make explicit in our proclama-

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tion of faith, he didn’t just die and ascend immediately into heaven; he descended to the dead. Descendit ad inferna.

Why? The phrase was apparently not an original part of the Apostles’ Creed. It was only added later, in the fourth

century, according to some, as a way to answer the question of where Jesus was in the days after his Crucifix-ion and before he ascended into heaven. Luther in his Small Catechism clearly places Jesus’ descent to the dead in terms of redemption - Jesus Christ as the true man who was risen from the dead to take his rightful place with the Father “in order that I may be his.” Jesus’ suffering and death delivered me - and all of us who believe - from all sins, from death, and the power of the devil. His descent is a required element before he could ascend into heaven and sit with the Father.

Growing up, I learned the Apostles Creed, with the translation formerly used in our Lutheran worship that Jesus descended into hell. At first I resisted the change of wording to “he descended to the dead” for despite the horror implicit in the hell terminology, it was familiar, what I had learned as a child. But I have come to em-brace our clarified statement that He descended to the dead. It speaks to me of the very depths for us all, of death, the end of life as we know it... and the promise of new life through Him. It is not a descent into an eter-nal hell, but instead a necessary step, as Martin Luther proclaims: “In order that I may be his, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, even as he is risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.” Dear Lord, thank you for the promise of new and everlasting life with you, gifted to all who believe through the sacrifice to death of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Diane Batchik TUESDAY, MARCH 28 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE APOSTLES’ CREED - THIRD ARTICLE

I believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Martin Luther explains in his catechism that “God daily and abundantly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers, and on the last day he will raise me and all the dead and will grant eternal life to me and all who believe in Christ.”

These two explanations are the crux (cross) of Christianity aren’t they? If we believe in Christ as our savior, we need to believe that we are sanctified and redeemed. The word “sanctification” means to be “made holy,” “to set a person apart for the use intended by the designer.”

We can argue whether we need to work out our own salvation or if it is indeed, a free gift, or if we need to work alongside God in this process. One thing is clear though, and that is that as Christians we have the per-fect example in Jesus Christ. If we focus on him, and not the pains and/or politics of the moment, or the week, or the year, we will very likely feel the freedom that comes from true abundant forgiveness. That forgiveness transcends the moment, the week or the year, and promises life everlasting. Life everlasting truly allows us to be useful to our designer. Nothing that I know of is more significant than that. Heavenly Father, your abundant love and forgiveness is such a tremendous gift that we seldom know how to respond to it. Help us to understand your all-encompassing love that must certainly compel us to love one an-other. Help us to allow you to work in us according to your good purpose. Amen. Darleen Butler

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 LUKE 15: 1-7 SINNERS

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wil-derness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sin-ner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

Have you ever looked through the Lost and Found at church? On any given day you might find an um-brella, a sweater or jacket, a lone glove (maybe even one sock), or at least one pair of glasses (we have a cupboard with about 10 pairs of reading glasses in it). One time I think we even had a set of car keys – now who could leave church and drive home without their car keys? All random things that are left be-hind, set aside, and seemingly forgotten – until someone comes and claims them.

There were those in Jesus’ time who were set aside too – tax collectors and “sinners.” But Jesus did-n’t forget about them. He talked with them, he ate with them, he healed them, and most importantly, he loved them. And there were those who thought that was terribly wrong.

Today there are those we set aside too: the poor, the ill, people who are different from us. And some-times we, ourselves, feel set aside.

But God has claimed us as God’s own and we are reminded we aren’t lost nor set aside. We are a part of the kingdom of God and Jesus is here for us, caring for and loving us. And, in turn, we seek out others and show everyone, including the marginalized of our society, the self-sacrificing love that Jesus has for all.

Lord, help us to remember we are all your children and we should serve and stand alongside everyone, re-joicing in your love. Amen. Deacon Cindy Ranker THURSDAY, MARCH 30 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM

What does Baptism mean for daily living?

As I shower, I often think of the significance of the water running over me. Not only does it feel good and cleanse me, but it is necessary to sustain all life. I thank God for this gift and the physical importance in our lives. But this leads me to also thank God for the water and the Word that sustains my spiritual life. In Martin Luther’s small catechism, he says that it is the combination of the water and the Word of God that provides our regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit. The water on its own is not Baptism. The water of my Baptism along with God’s Word is my foundation and provides me a starting point for each day.

It is so wonderful when we celebrate the Baptism of a new member. Each time the words are spoken, we are reminded that we are joined with Jesus Christ as a member of the church and inheritors of eternal life through his life and death. We are called to live in fellowship with his people, “growing in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.” This is our challenge. Baptism is just the beginning of a new relation-ship with God. He will always be with us but we are to turn away from our old selves and work, to live

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lives, with the help of the Holy Spirit, deserving of our new reborn status. In Luther’s small catechism, he states that “day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.” It is a lifelong process of living as God wishes.

That shower cleanses my physical body but only the water of my Baptism continues to cleanse my ac-tions each day as I strive to live a life deserving of God’s love for me and all believers. Luther said “No greater jewel can adorn our body and soul than Baptism, for through it we obtain perfect holiness and salvation, which no other kind of life and no work on earth can acquire.” Good and Gracious God, thank you for the water that sustains our earthly life but more importantly, thank you for the water of my Baptism that symbolizes your love for me and my hope for eternal life. Please help me grow daily in faith, love for you, love for others, and love for your Word. Amen. Karen Phelps FRIDAY, MARCH 31 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE APOSTLES’ CREED - THIRD ARTICLE

I believe in the communion of saints. What does this mean?

During Luther’s time, the church had preached that saints were the holiest and most righteous per-sons who had died and were now in heaven. People were encouraged to pray to the saints, asking that they intercede to God in their behalf. Luther assures us that we are all saints, and, in the Large Catechism, he defines the “communion of saints” as “the intimate fellowship in which all true Christians live with one another.” This holy community, he writes, is called together by the Holy Spirit in one faith and one mind, united in love. Luther assures us that the Holy Spirit will remain with us until the Last Day, and that in the meantime the Holy Spirit gathers us, helps us to grow, and strengthens us in our faith and our holiness. In our belief in Christ, we are saints. In this Christian community, we have the gifts of forgiveness through grace and salvation through Christ. We can pray directly to God, and God hears us.

In thinking about this passage, I am drawn to a Bible verse from Hebrews 12: 1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” It goes on to describe life as a race, and those that have gone on before us –the heroes of our faith and our loved ones who have died--are depicted as a crowd cheering us on as we run toward the finish line. This passage has given me great comfort through-out my days. I have lost many loved ones during my life: my parents, my first wife, friends and relatives, and recently my closest friend. I consider all of them too a part of the communion of saints surrounding my life and that of all of us.

I believe we all are blessed with a cheering section, a larger community beyond earthly friends and family. Their example is always there for us to follow. I believe that the Holy Spirit often speaks to us and guides us through the example of other people in our lives, all of whom are saints—both earthly and heavenly.

Holy Father, as I continue in this race we call life, please be with me and show me the way. Help me to use the gifts you have given me so that I run well, encouraged by the community of saints, the great crowd of witnesses, who cheer me on. Amen. Jim Rossi

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SATURDAY, APRIL 1 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE LORD’S PRAYER

Lead us not into temptation (Save us from the time of trial)

Temptation waits right around every corner. Our decision to give in to temptation, or not to, is driven by what our motivations are, or said another way, by what we put at the center of our lives. Some are motivated by money or pleasure, others by a career or a particular goal. We filter our decisions through what motivates us or by what we place the highest value or priority on. When we give too much time, en-ergy and attention to something, that thing can become our God.

When we pray this petition, ‘to lead us not into temptation’, we are asking God not only to guard us from evil and bad choices, but also to help us remember to put Jesus at the center of our lives. In living a Christ-centered life we don’t just ask WWJD, but more importantly, WWJHYD, What Would Jesus Have You Do?

When we make a decision it’s important to ask ourselves if we are acting to satisfy our worldly and human desires or are we trying to please the Lord, to have a deeper relationship with Christ, to reflect the love of Jesus back on the world. The latter should be our goal.

Loving God, help us to keep Jesus at the center of our lives. Help us to face temptation with a loving heart and make decisions that glorify you. Amen. Charlie and Lois Bailey SUNDAY, APRIL 2 JOHN 8: 31-36 THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’ Je-sus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

How ironic that I was asked to write a devotion on “the truth shall set you free” during the week that Kelly Anne Conway coined the term “alternative facts” (in describing the president’s press secretary’s report regarding the inaugural crowd). The notion that we can label our own desires and way of thinking as an “alternative truth” holds great appeal. Every day, it seems more and more that our society has abandoned truth to an alternative of just repeating what we’d like to be over and over again, so that oth-ers just begin to assume it is so because they have heard it so many times. When considering statements that don’t go along with our view, it has become commonplace to express the notion that there is no truth, only opinions. There is this sense that somehow by making everything opinions, everything is ac-ceptable and everything is true.

But this is not what the gospel teaches. The gospel teaches us that truth comes from walking in the way of Christ. We can only find truth as we walk with him in healing the sick, comforting the mourners, feeding the hungry, offering drink to the thirsty, visiting the prisoner, welcoming the stranger. We can only find truth by loving the Lord our God with all our hearts and minds and our neighbors as ourselves. It is only as we accept Christ as our leader and follow in his footsteps that we walk in truth and experience the freedom that comes from that.

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As we become engrossed with what we can do to help others, we realize our purpose. We are able to focus on matters that are important and set aside those frivolous day to day worries. We are able to rec-ognize that Jesus walks beside us. We are able to realize that keeping to this path and avoiding tempta-tions will help us avoid fruitless and often problem-inducing searches for money, power, or admiration.

We are free to live life in a way that offers us glimpses of heaven above. The truth of his way indeed will set us free. Gracious and loving God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to show us the way and the truth. Help us to open our eyes to his message of love and service to others so that we may recognize the beauti-ful truth: that a life devoted to you by walking in his way is a life of freedom from the enslavement to meaningless searches for money, power and admiration. Amen. Kathy Glyshaw MONDAY, APRIL 3 JOHN 20: 24-29 BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

What evidence do you need to “believe” something is true? These days, between the alternative facts and fake news, being a skeptic, or “doubting Thomas,” is probably in our best interests.

In the above passage, Thomas does not believe that the other disciples have seen the risen Christ. Thomas states exactly what he needs to see and feel to believe Jesus’ resurrection. When Jesus appears to Thomas, he counters the “seeing is believing” mantra, and states “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

As a research scientist, my work life is driven by acquiring data to support (or not) a given hypothesis. Experimental results and calculations of statistical significance allow for drawing tentative conclusions, which may or may not hold up when someone else attempts to reproduce the study. So I understand where Thomas was coming from in needing to see proof of Jesus’ resurrection.

I have not actually seen Jesus, so what evidence do I base my Christian beliefs upon? I witnessed the incredible faith of both my grandmothers, which they put into action every day. My maternal grandmoth-er instilled in me the importance of caring for others. Among many things, she volunteered weekly at a nursing home, and would insist I go with her when I could so she could introduce me to the residents that she came to call her friends. As for my paternal grandmother, she taught me the importance of pray-er. At the end of every day before getting into bed, she got on her knees and prayed, with her head bowed in her hands. It is a picture that is forever burned in my memory.

I feel fortunate to have had such wonderful “faith” role models. Not everyone is so lucky, but I be-lieve there is boundless evidence of Jesus among us. We just need to be open to ‘seeing’ it.

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Heavenly Father, help us to ‘see’ what we believe – that you are the creator of all that is good and that life eternal is your promise. Thank you for our many blessings. Amen. Marcia Patchan TUESDAY, APRIL 4 ISAIAH 53: 1-3 HE WAS DESPISED

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was des-pised, and we held him of no account.

Our meditation today focuses on the suffering servant. In the passage before, Isaiah tells us that the servant will be successful and honored ...in the future. In the passage just after, the prophet says that the servant suffered for us! Who is this servant? The Bible calls up images of the servant as the whole people of God--of a connection to King David--and of the Messiah. The questions is: What is God doing? What’s going on?

God’s story continues to evolve. In our passage we hear some disturbing words describing the serv-ant...ugly...despised...rejected...acquainted with grief.

What feelings does that bring out in you? Can you sense the loneliness-the desperation--the resigna-tion?

Loneliness in being rejected, hated, laughed at. Desperation: “Father let this cup pass from me.”

“Why have you abandoned me?” Resignation: “Not my will, but your will be done.” There is a way through it all. We are not abandoned. We’re adopted! We are not our own. We are

God’s beloved children. Yahoo for baptism! We as God’s children can live into God’s future where the suffering of our lives and the world’s, along

with Christ’s, is and will be lifted up and transformed into a new experience of God’s never ending love. Justice and righteousness will prevail!

Sweet Lord, show us through the veil of darkness into the brightness of your light. Lead us and guide us along our way. Amen. Pastor Jason and Vicki Burns WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM: THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

What is Holy Communion? Where do the scriptures say this?

Luther teaches us that Communion provides us with forgiveness, and forgiveness provides us with life and salvation. His teachings appear to be based on passages from Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul.

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We’ve included these passages below along with John’s account of the Last Supper, which Luther didn’t comment upon.

For Lutherans, Communion is the gift of forgiveness and a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. From Luther’s Small Catechism: Communion was instituted by Jesus Christ himself; it is the true body

and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, given to us Christians to eat and to drink. The forgiveness of sin, life and salvation are given to us in the sacrament, for where there is forgiveness of sin, there are also life and salvation. He who believes these words, “given for you for the forgiveness of sin,” has what they say and declare: the forgiveness of sin. He who does not believe these words, or doubts them, is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require truly believing hearts.

Matthew: Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark: And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

Luke: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among your-selves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

John: Jesus announced that he was going to be betrayed and the disciples asked who would betray him. Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever”

Paul: 1 Corinthians: Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Heavenly Father, May I always remember the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ, and remember him each time we take Communion. May we also be reminded that by his hand, we are forgiven and saved. Amen. Larry and Cathy Dadin

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THURSDAY, APRIL 6 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - #2

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

It’s easy to limit this verse to mean: “watch the profanity,” but what’s the key to really getting this one? Well, what does “in vain” really mean in this context? According to the dictionary, it means, “without real significance, value, or importance.”

As a student-athlete attending a public high school, I am familiar with the pressures to perform well on tests and in games. Sometimes, it is only too convenient to ask God for an “A” on a test we know we did not study for, or to run around in a game asking God for a goal that we know we don’t deserve be-cause we aren’t willing to put in the extra effort. And after, we are disappointed by the result. It’s like asking a younger sibling to do your homework, and being frustrated that it’s wrong - you knew they couldn’t do it, but you yourself weren’t motivated to do it, so you hoped “in vain” that it would all work out!

We cannot expect our desires to be fulfilled by the Lord, if we do not commit our maximum effort to the task at hand. Otherwise, we are using the Lord’s name without any genuine significance, value, or importance - we are using it “in vain.”

Johan Cruyff, a great footballer, once said “I’m not religious. In Spain all twenty-two players make the sign of the cross before they enter the pitch [the soccer field]. If it works, all matches must therefore end in a tie.” Remember friends, God will give us an eternity of strength, but He will not come down and win the game for us! Dear God, forgive us for the times we use your name in vain, and help us take initiative in fulfilling your purpose for us. Amen. Henrik Struck FRIDAY, APRIL 7 MARK 11: 15-17 CLEANSING THE TEMPLE

Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.’

As a child I, and I’m sure many of you, were taught that Jesus was God’s son, perfect, loving, and gen-tle. He would never sin and never had, a perfect example for how we should act. But this is the one time in all of the gospels that Jesus showed any anger, true to the human nature, “But Gavin,” you say, ”How can Jesus be a non-sinning, gentle being if it is clear that in these two verses in an act of anger, violently flipped tables of merchants?” Well I think that there is a less obvious message hidden within the initial shock of “OMG, Jesus destroying tables?!?!” and I think that message is not specifically towards humans of the Christian religion, but towards all people.

First we should go back to school and point out all of the clues we’re given to solve this mystery. For starters, it’s in a Temple, the sacred place Jews went to worship God. But people are buying and selling? Kind of odd, right? Next we notice, well not just notice, turn our whole body to see the commotion Jesus causes, as he seems to commit an act of sinning (was it a sin?) against the people at the temple selling

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their goods, which he justifies by saying, ”You have made it a den of robbers.” And I don’t think Jesus cares that they might be selling things for too much, no that’s not why they’re robbers, but it’s because of one simple rule that really scares us, to never advocate for greed, throw away all of your belongings and come worship God, not bring your belongings and auction them off at church.

So I think that’s what really got Jesus going here, people are breaking his rule IN THE TEMPLE. But does that justify what Jesus does to all of the merchants little stands of doves? Well you could say, “It is God's house, so…”. But honestly, you think that’s going to mean a thing to God, the one who wants you to invite everyone into your house, not flip over the table they set up in your house?

Now finally to my point, why I think God justifies his accused sin. In my “expert” opinion, I believe that God is teaching us a lesson… about government. “Ugh” I hear you say as you roll your eyes, “we’ve heard enough about government as of late.” Well Jesus came just a wee 2000 years too early to give us the lesson, but it’s okay, he wants us to understand that governments should be allowed to inflict punish-ments on their people, as long as it's deserved. And this isn’t exactly something that is new to the Bible. All the time in the Old Testament you hear stories of people disobeying God, and boy does he hate that.

Even though Jesus got mad at the people in the temple, he still died for all of them. And even though we do wrong things, Jesus still loves us. We might get punished by others, even our government, but Je-sus loves us and died for us. Dear God, we know every day we may see something happen that we don’t like, in the government, family, friends, lives of strangers, and we have to know that you’re the one who takes care of us, and it’s our job to thank you, Amen. Gavin Willard SATURDAY, APRIL 8 JOHN 11: 28-36 JESUS WEPT

When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’

I feel so connected to Jesus when I read this story of how he was so moved by Mary’s pain and loss that he wept with her. Jesus was human, just like us, and we sometimes think that he didn’t feel the same emotions we do. Did he get angry? Did he feel scared? Was he joyful? Did he cry out in sadness and in pain? Yes, to all of these and more. Jesus expressed his emotions in countless stories – he was flesh and bone, just like us, and he felt the pain of losing his friend.

In some translations, verse John 11: 35 is just two words: Jesus wept. This is the shortest verse in the Bible, but to me, it has always carried great meaning. I find comfort in knowing that Jesus experienced frailty and sadness, and I know that he had God to cry out to and a community of believers with whom to share his struggles. They may not have fully understood what Jesus was going through, but the fact that he lived in community is important to me. Mar-Lu-Ridge is a community that strives to be present for all in

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need. Our campers and staff keep in touch throughout the year. We pray for each other, and we come together to serve and to worship as One Body.

I cannot begin to know what Jesus experienced in this world, but I do know that he has been walking alongside me since before I was born. When I am crying out, he hears me, and he dries my tears. We are called to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in need. We are called to be present in community to share the joys and the sorrows.

Jesus wept. He loves us with such a powerful love that he carries our burdens and dries our tears. There is no greater friend.

Dear Lord, Help us to look for the needs of our community. Help us to work to better the lives of all we meet, and to be like Jesus, walking alongside those who are struggling and rejoicing with those who re-joice. Amen. Sarah Lefler Executive Director, Mar-Lu-Ridge PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 9 LUKE 19: 28-40 JESUS’ ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.” ’ So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ They said, ‘The Lord needs it.’ Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, order your disciples to stop.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.’

If the Lord would tell you to untie a random colt and bring it to him, would you do it? It might be un-comfortable to go take someone else’s property and declare you’re doing this for the Lord. People may not believe you and just believe you are tricking them.

Sometimes, the Lord presents us with tasks that seem out of our comfort zone and we are not exact-ly sure how to go about fulfilling the task handed to us. At different times in our lives, it seems as though the Lord has handed us the most difficult tasks and we don’t understand how he is working in our lives. Once, the villagers untied the colt, brought him to the Lord and Jesus rode into Jerusalem, he signified the peace that was coming and the people praised him as he came to the village. Once the seemingly daunting task was completed, the Lord appeared, bringing something good out of the occasion.

In life, when God hands us daunting tasks with obstacles that seem unbearable, we forget about what is on the other side. We forget that on the other side of every mountain, there is something good that comes of every rain storm. As they say, you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain. As we contin-ue this journey through life, we remember that God has a plan for us all, and even though we might not understand his plan at times, something good will come out of his plan.

Dear Lord, thank you for loving us and seeing the good in each and every one of us. Give us the strength to see that you have a plan for each of us even if we might not understand it right now. Keep our hearts and

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mind open to you, Lord. In Jesus’s name, Amen. Jill Gattens The Table: A Lutheran-Episcopal Ministry at Towson University MONDAY, APRIL 10 LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM THE APOSTLES’ CREED - SECOND ARTICLE

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

This passage from the Apostles’ Creed is all about humility. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was totally and completely innocent and without blemish. He humbled himself to be the sacrifice for all humankind. He honored his father’s wishes, and allowed himself to be the subject of public humiliation, false accusa-tions, and physical torture that ended in crucifixion. His followers abandoned him while his accusers mocked him. Jesus did this out of love for the very people who were persecuting him.

Christ set the example for us to follow. We are called to serve God through service to our fellow man. We are told to be meek, merciful, and pure in heart; when we are struck, we are to turn the other cheek; when our coat is taken, we are to give our shirt as well. Jesus asks us to humble ourselves before human-kind just as he did when he died for our sins. This is hard, and most times we fail. Even his disciples failed him during his time of trial. Fortunately for us, God loves us. He is merciful and forgives us. God asks only that we keep trying. When we are discouraged we need only to look to the cross to be reminded of the perfect example Christ set for us. Each day is a new opportunity to humble ourselves and by doing so, honor our father in heaven.

I am reminded of God’s charge to us when I read one of my favorite Bible verses: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and

to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) Merciful Father, thank you for your Son, who came to set us free from our sins. He humbly submitted him-self to persecution and death and rose on the third day so we may have everlasting life. Thank you for Christ’s example of perfect humility. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness when we fail to show mercy to others. Send your Holy Spirit to help us to continually strive to do better. Through Jesus Christ, your per-fect example and sacrifice we pray. Amen. Perry and Cyndy Anderson TUESDAY, APRIL 11 JOHN 12:1-8 MARY ANOINTS JESUS

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the com-mon purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

These verses of the gospel of John tell the story of a banquet given by Martha and Mary to honor Je-sus for bringing Lazarus back to life after he died. Martha served the dinner to Jesus, Lazarus and the oth-

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er guests. Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume and dried them with her hair to express deep grati-tude and devotion. Interestingly, the sisters’ roles in this story follow the commonly cited Martha and Mary parable – Martha (begrudgingly) does the hard labor while Mary assumes the easy and glamorous position.

After Mary anoints Jesus, Judas (the traitor) complains loudly that it would have been better to sell the perfume to give money to the poor rather than honoring Jesus. (However, Judas intentions are not pure, as he would have stolen the money – an easy thing for him to do since he served as treasurer for the group.) Jesus responds by saying that while the poor will always be present, he himself will not al-ways be present. With these words Jesus deliberately begins to prepare the disciples for his upcoming death.

The themes of this passage remind me to: Be mindful of life’s many blessings – just as the banquet celebrated Lazarus’ life. My thoughts seem

to flow downstream to a sea of negativity; I have to work to push against that current and instead focus on the innumerable things in my life for which I should give thanks.

Show gratitude – just as Martha and Mary gave thanks to Jesus. I must not forget to show apprecia-tion to those people who give me so much - love, care, joy, and time. Think of others in times of pain – just as Jesus did by gently preparing his disciples for his death.

Dear Jesus, please help and guide me to focus on life’s many blessings and to look forward and prepare for tomorrow instead of wallowing in yesterday. Remind me to show my gratitude to all the people who bring so much to my life – family, friends, co-workers, even strangers. Please give me the courage to prepare my loved-ones for the time of my death and to think of them and their wellbeing instead of my own fears and regrets. Amen. Laura C Rose WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 MATTHEW 26: 20-25 BETRAYAL

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.’Judas, who betrayed him, said, ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ He replied, ‘You have said so.’

Have you ever been deeply betrayed by a loved one? I have, and I recall the sensation like the floor that I’d been standing on had suddenly been yanked out from under me. I don’t doubt that Jesus dearly loved Judas -- Judas, his longtime traveling companion, his disciple and friend, sharer in persecution and challenging times. One needs to reflect on the passage to truly feel what Christ likely felt – the hole in the pit of his stomach when he experienced the betrayal of his dear friend and companion. Someone he had mentored, loved, and led.

When Jesus called Judas out, I initially found it remarkable that Judas still went forward with his deeds. I imagine that Satan was truly at work in him; he was deep in sin’s clutches that did not allow his conscience to pull him out of the darkness. The reactions of the other disciples are easier to understand – the desire not to be the one at fault, the questioning and inquiry as to who this traitor would be. I think we can all relate to that reaction and assume we would be among their ranks.

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But the truth of the matter is, we all have betrayed Christ. We have not been his hands and feet, con-sistently, in this world as we’ve been charged. While we may not fully be a Judas, we certainly listen to the words of the evil one, sinning by omission or by act. Betrayal is a very human act. It is only by God’s grace that we are redeemed when we fail, that we find the strength in the Holy Spirit to stand against Sa-tan when we are not strong. I am no longer surprised by human betrayal, but rather deeply thankful that we can turn to the one who will never betray us, never forsake us, and who will call us out of the dark-ness of our own very human acts into the light. Heavenly father, thank you for your saving grace that covers all of our very human faults. Be with us during our times of temptation, when we desire to think more of ourselves than others. Please help us to more faithfully be your hands and feet in this world and guard us against the words of Satan and his empty promises. We trust that you will always exchange beauty for ashes, when we fail or experience betrayal. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. Karen Brindle MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 13 JOHN 13: 12-17 WASHING OF THE FEET

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

In this passage Jesus became not only a regular person, but less than a regular person. He became a servant, washing the dirty feet of men who wore sandals to walk the dusty streets of Jerusalem. This job not only belonged to servants; it was one of the dirtiest jobs and belonged to the lowest servants.

Most people today don’t need their feet washed, so how do we become servants in the same way? The people of our church cook for the homeless and for others in difficult circumstances. We create things like health kits, quilts, and bean soup mix for people in need. We provide rides, we listen, and we open our building to people who don’t have a warm place to sleep.

As individuals, we can take part in these services, but there are other things we can do, too. We can check on our neighbors and help them with things like yard work, child care, or errands. We can look for ways to get along with our families. We can speak up for the people who are seen as the lowest in our society—the homeless, abused, disabled, poor, and refugees. We can help others at work or school in-stead of competing with them.

Let’s be like Jesus. Let’s serve our fellow humans rather than stepping on them to get to the top. Let’s try to meet their needs rather than insisting we are better than they are and deserve more.

Lord, help us to see the needs of others and work to serve them. Help us control our pride so that we don’t expect more of others than we are willing to give to them. Amen. Cindy Patterson

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GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14 LUKE 23: 44-49 THE DEATH OF JESUS

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

In our saddest, most desolate moments, there is a deep sense of darkness. It feels as though the sun’s light has failed and our hearts are torn in two. We wait for what seems to be an eternity for our suffering to end, unsure of how to move forward and live in a new reality.

There had to be no such moment like the death of Jesus. As his choice to die came to a climax, his ac-cusers realized their extraordinary failure, while his loved ones, including his own mother, stood watching unable to help. Yet, in the darkness, God triumphed, revealing his witness to all that had occurred in mi-raculous ways. Jesus’ final words were delivered in a loud voice, despite his long suffering. He reached the end of his trials and entrusted his Father with his spirit.

When we experience our darkest times, and our hearts are torn in two, we look to Jesus to help us understand and find Peace again. We entrust our way forward to Him. Death and suffering has no hold on us in God’s eyes because He has already triumphed on our behalf. His light shines out in transcendent splendor, overpowering the events that came to pass.

Heavenly Father, in my darkest times and in my everyday struggles, help mend my broken heart by turning my thoughts to you. Bring the light and peace that only you can bring to my life as I entrust myself to you. Guide me toward my new reality as I remember all that you did for the world, transcending death and offering your kingdom in Heaven. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Christina Fleming SATURDAY, APRIL 15 JOHN 20:1-8 THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark…” That’s the moment we’re in on Holy Saturday. Hanging out in the dark with all the grief and emptiness

of Jesus’ death hanging in the air. We are people that know the end of the story, but for Mary Magdalene and the women, they came only to anoint Jesus’ body - to do what was expected of them for someone they loved. But they were surprised with life.

I think of that phrase, “early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark…” sometimes when I’m driving to church. Because we Christians keep gathering early (or a little later) on the first day of the week. We keep showing up even when there is still darkness in the world and in our hearts. Sometimes we come with hope, but sometimes we show up simply out of duty to our family and our congregation.

But our God does stuff at that tomb and it doesn’t much matter what we’re feeling as we walked there. We get to that tomb and we see what is better than we can believe. The stone is rolled away. The thing we could not move ourselves has been taken away - the grief or hatred or impossible situation. And we get to walk right inside that tomb and smell life instead of death. To see that this tomb was not strong

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enough to keep away the power of God. We get to see the clothes that had wrapped us up in death now rolled up and put away. Early on the first day of the week, we get to glimpse light.

Prayer: You battled death for us. You brought life where it could not happen. You brought light into dark-ness. Bring that power to us now. To our world. To all that are stuck in darkness. Be our resurrection. And let us be a part of sharing that gift of life with those who long for it. Amen. Pastor Laura Sinche Lutheran Campus Ministry at Towson, UMBC and Morgan State EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 16 LUKE 24: 36-49 JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be pro-claimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

In Luke’s Gospel, the writer includes four resurrection appearances. The first is early in the morning on Sunday, when the women, who had come to anoint the dead body of Jesus, find the stone is rolled away and he is not there! (Actually, in Luke it’s not an appearance, but the angel’s announcement of the resur-rection). The second story is of the two disciples on that same Sunday on the road away from Jerusalem overcome with sadness at the crucifixion, as they are met by a stranger. When they stop for the evening, they realize as they share a meal that is the risen Jesus with them. The third story is the one listed for to-day. Behind locked doors (similar to John’s story) Jesus appears giving them his peace. Jesus’ earthly, yet risen, body is hungry as he asks for a bite to eat. The fourth story takes place in Bethany, where, after blessing his followers, he disappears from their sight.

In our story for today, there is an uncomfortable mixture of ‘special effects’ and everyday earthiness. Jesus was different now – doors aren’t a natural barrier. He is so much like a ghost that the disciples are terrified. Yet, Jesus invites them to touch and see his flesh and bones, something ghosts don’t have. Also, ghosts don’t normally get hungry (as if there is a ‘normal’ ghost?), but Jesus wonders what’s cooking and eats some broiled fish right in front of them. This resurrection business can make one awfully hungry! All of this is really too much for the disciples. They are disbelieving and joyful at the same time, even while seeing him in person.

That gives me such great comfort, because I can so relate to those early followers. I am often stuck somewhere between joy and disbelief. The early writers had a hard time describing what exactly hap-pened. It really defied explanation and understanding. Yet, while not understanding, they still knew the joy of Jesus not letting death separate them from him. His love was stronger than death. That’s the good news of Easter. Thanks be to God!

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God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, your love is from everlasting, overcoming every barrier and meeting us wherever we are. Fill us with joy and peace in trusting your life among us. Amen. Pastor Ginny Price