Lent Holy Week April 1, 2015
Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. — Psalm 118:21-24
Salvation is a big word packed with meaning and meaningfulness but it may be the moment by moment points of salvation in each of our lives when we are truly saved. I don’t know about you but my world generally moves from busy to busy. I keep thinking once I get “that” done, whatever “that” is, I can rest and then something else pops up and I retarget my time for rest until I get the next “that” done. It is the moments of God’s grace sprinkled through my days that sustain and nourish me.
Wednesday of Holy Week has no real designation for emphasis. It is a day to prepare, a day for Jesus to be nourished. Tradition indicates that it is the day a Mary, we do not know which Mary, anointed Jesus’ feet with oil. (John 12:2) Some identify this as an act of preparation for his burial. I think it was the act of someone who saw his anguish and wished in some small way to relieve it.
Wednesday of Holy Week is also by tradition the day Judas betrayed Jesus. We will probably always question how one of Jesus’ disciples could sell him out. How many times have we each reneged on our commitment to God for a lesser god like money or power? It just takes a second, a spur of the moment to take that step. Indeed, each day is a day that God has given us to love or not. Our scripture today invites us to take the higher road and rejoice in the opportunity to serve God through our love.
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.*
Prayer: O Lord, guard my moments and my days let them flow in ceaseless praise. Amen.
*First verse of Take My Life and Let It Be by Frances R. Havergal see hymn at http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/t/a/k/takemyli.htm 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.