Sunday, April 5 (Palm Sunday)

Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalms 24, 29, 103
1 Timothy 6:12-16
Matthew 21:12-17

Matthew 21:12-17

Palm Sunday serves as a reminder to all that Jesus, the reason we call ourselves Christians, was not your guy next door. He was a radical in a world of rules and rulers, riding on donkeys and mixing with the lowly.

In Matthew 21 we read the well known story of Jesus at the temple, another example of his radical behavior. When Jesus enters the temple, he does not simply speak to those there; he overturns the tables and benches and even drove people out. This was the way Jesus chose to reach out to his people and make his point, and it certainly seemed to be the only method that would work. In our world today, his are the methods we should try to imitate. God wants us to take after His son and use radical behavior to continue His work. Simple radical acts, equivalent to riding on a donkey perhaps, bring glory to the Lord: such as talking about your faith to others. Even simple behaviors like that won’t be easy, but then if we are trying to have a life like Jesus’, we are not looking for an easy one.

Naomi Brown

Saturday, April 4

Jeremiah 31:27-34

Psalms 42&43, 137, 144

Romans 11:25-36

John 11:28-44 

 

 

 

John 11:28-44

 

 

 

 

 

This is the part of John’s gospel where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.  It is very significant that right before this passage, Martha has declared her absolute conviction that Jesus is the Christ. 

As many of you are aware, a little over a year ago, my mom was critically ill to the point she was not given much chance of surviving by the doctors.  However we prayed - you all prayed, our family and friends prayed and thanks to all of those prayers, I wholeheartedly believe Jesus chose to “raise” her from the certain death to which she seemed inevitably headed.  Today my mom is still fighting the good fight and we are all working to convince her she will get to go home.  And while we all know she will not live forever, anymore than Lazarus did, we are grateful for this past year to celebrate another Mother’s Day, and her 75^th birthday, and Thanksgiving, and Christmas and my birthday.

This Lent, let us be reminded that we just need to ask, and believe, for Jesus to come into whatever challenges we face in our own lives.   

 

Danny Guy

Friday, April 3

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-13
Psalms 22, 95, 141, 143
Romans 11:13-24
John 11:1-27

John 11:1-27 

“I am the resurrection, and

the life”. John 11:25

Jesus made a statement and proposed a question to Martha;, a question asked of all of us who would be true believers. This statement and question is the essence of our faith; the crux of our belief system. The heart of love will always answer “Yes, Lord”.
When it became known to us that my husband was so drastically and devastatingly ill, we prayerfully continued steadfast in believing God for the answer to our petitions. Bill suffered from 6 or 7 major illness attacking simultaneously. We believed for total and miraculous healing for every illness that beset him. Jesus said regarding Lazarus, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John 11:4 During this long journey, we continued in prayer, believing. We prayed until the end. He passed on October 17, 2007.
We continue heartbroken, but we know that God is the healer of the broken hearted. Even though he was not healed the way my daughter and I expected and wanted, God did what was best for Bill. He did receive the extreme healing – no more illness, tears or any more pain – forever with Jesus.
Jesus asked us the question that He has or will ask you. 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Yes Lord, we believe. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He is risen in our hearts by faith and lives forever with us and in us. Thanks be to God.
Joyce Westlake

Thursday, April 2

Jeremiah 26:1-16

Psalms 131, 132, 140, 142

Romans 11:1-12

John 10:19-42

 

John 10:19-42

 

Have you ever done something for someone only to be accused of ulterior motives?  Many people have become so jaded in this world that they cannot believe a kindness was done for no reason other than kindness itself.  Jesus’ acts were questioned, condemned, discounted and denied. But, he continued.  He knew that, no matter, what he did, or said, there were people who would not believe the message. But, he also knew there were many who would embrace it.

 

We must be like Jesus, performing acts of kindness, without worrying about how it may be received. If it is the right thing to do, than the act speaks for itself. And, perhaps, someone who was initially skeptical, might begin to believe.

 

 

Lyn Morris

Wednesday, April 1

Jeremiah 25:30-38

Psalms 119:145-176, 128,129,130

Romans 10:14-21

John 10:1-18

 

John 10:1-18

 

Picture by Zereshk.

Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep…. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

 John 10: 7, 11

Each morning during this Legislative Session, my alarm goes off at 6:00 am and I am out walking the University of Texas campus by 6:15 am.  As I walk, I am amazed at the beauty of the 40 Acres.  I am amazed at the number of buildings which have been built since I was a student…a few years ago!!  As I walk by a building, I remember a class, a teacher, a friend.  I remember a 17 year old very green student coming from a small private school in Dallas to The University with 25,000 students.  In that rush of people, I looked for mentors – I looked for someone who would guide me – I looked for a shepherd. 

My sister, who had just graduated, told me the cool guys did not wear socks with their Bass loafers.  What she didn’t tell me was that I should break those shoes in before walking those 10 blocks each way between class and my apartment.  By the second week, I may have been cool but I could barely walk?  She also told me that cool guys did not carry an umbrella.  I think I was the only “cool guy” at registration who stood out in a tropical storm waiting for Gregory Gym to open!

A graduate student who was my grader in History class showed me the ropes.  He taught me how to take an exam.  He taught me how to study.   He taught me how to make it through that first year with “passable” grades.  I remember him each day as I pass by Garrison Hall. 

A priest at the Catholic Student Center was there for me as I struggled with who I was as a Christian.  That private school in Dallas was an all-boy school.  That was definitely not the case at The University.  That priest answered my questions and did not laugh at them.  The Sunday Mass was a true celebration.  The words I heard from that priest each time I was with him helped form me into a Christian.  I remember that priest as I pass each day in front of the Catholic Student Center. 

As we walk through the journey of our lives, think back on the shepherds who have held that gate for you.  Think back on those who helped mold and shape you to be who you are today.  And, remember:  Jesus holds the gate for each of us.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd. 

 John Pitts

Tuesday, March 31

Jeremiah 25:8-17
Psalms 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127
Romans 10:1-13
John 9:18-41
Romans 10:1-13

Paul quotes Moses describing righteousness as it applies to the Law: “The man who does these things will live by them…But the righteousness that is by faith says…the Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.” Paul goes on to say that if you believe and confess (key for me here is confess…suggesting that we actually say it out loud) that Jesus is Lord, that we will be saved. Period.
Our theme this Lenten season is ‘a time to remember.’ Do you remember your Confirmation, your adult confession of faith? Some come to this stage as adolescents, perhaps not completely understanding the ramifications of the exercise. For them, the Church has created a wonderful thing called a Reaffirmation. Others, like me, however, were adults. Boy do I remember my Confirmation! I was 21, coming from a very different upbringing, and it was an amazingly exciting time of discovery and belonging. Perhaps not completely surprisingly, I enjoyed my Confirmation classes with my priest because I challenged him (at least he made me think I was) on the difference between the Gifts of the Spirit and the Fruits of the Spirit.
The memory of this “coming of age” has gotten me through some rough bumps in the road throughout the years. Getting back to basics; remembering what is truly important; keeping everything going on in the world (and in the Church) in perspective; being grateful for the incredible blessings in our lives – the list goes on. This Lent, may we all take time to reflect upon and relive those spiritual and perhaps life-changing milestones that have made us stronger, empowered, and make us feel equipped to seek and do the work of the Saints of God.

Vicki Cravens

Monday, March 30

Jeremiah 24:1-10
Psalms 31, 35
Romans 9:19-33
John 9:1-17




Romans 9:19-33


In this passage, the apostle Paul has a lot to say about God’s promises in history. He goes back to the birth of the patriarchs Isaac and Jacob, and tells of the leadership of Moses. He speaks of God’s chosen people Israel, and the Gentiles who are blessed by adoption to share in their inheritance.

The Jewish people were the first to know God and to proclaim the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ. Gentiles continue to spread His word and try (with the Father’s grace) to live by His example.

There is a sobering thought in all of this. None of us, the Jew with the law or the Gentile in faith is worthy to come to God on our own. It is only through God’s mercy and the sacrifice of Jesus that we are accepted “and it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; then shall they be called the children of the Living God.” (Rom. 9:26, KJV).

We all need to take time in this season of lent to reflect on what the Lord has done for us.

Susannah Westlake