Lent 2014
Ash Wednesday—March 5, 2014
Read Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—
Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing….
Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing….Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, “Where is their God?” ’–Joel 2:1, 12-13, 17
The prophet Joel looked out over his nation and saw the many, many parts of that society that did not seem to be in synch with what he knew of God. He writes to warn them about how they are straying, and to tell them that God is still there to help them find their way out of the darkness. First they must stop pointing the finger of blame at everybody else and look deep within their own hearts reestablishing their relationship with God. At that point they can turn around and get in step with the One who can save them and their land.
We here in the United States who call ourselves Christians can readily identify with Joel and his neighbors. We too see many parts of our society out of synch with God’s plan for all. This year during Lent I invite you to join me in delving deeper into one such challenge—the problems that face our children regarding education. Our hope is that we can find God’s guidance out of the darkness that has enfolded our educational systems.
Jesus loved the little children of his world. He welcomed them, taught them, and saw the potential in each of them even when they were physically disabled or mentally ill. He understood parental love and responded to the concerns of parents. He recognized the importance of continuous learning. He was a teacher. I wonder what he would say about our care and nurturing of children today.
This is a call to a season of prayer this year during lent regarding the education of our children. These daily devotions based on lectionary scriptures will provide some food for thought for your prayers. Please join me and wait with great expectations for God’s guidance.
Prayer: Dear Teacher, open our eyes and help us extend welcoming arms and sharing hearts as we listen for Your words as You teach us along the way. Amen
The identities of students, families, or staff in stories that are shared in the devotions have been altered to protect their privacy. Any similarities between these stories and the experience of others are coincidental. No stories about students, families of students, or staff from Putnam Heights Elementary School are included in any of these devotions.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.