Lent Daybook 15 & 16 (third Sunday in Lent): Folly
A Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2018 posts here)
Is this your first time to practice Lent? Here's a simple introduction: How we prepare for Lent.
*Note: If you're reading this in email, the formatting usually looks much better at the website. Just click the post title to get there.*
Moses Smashing the Tablets of Law by Rembrandt (source)
Expulsion of the Moneychangers from the Temple by Luca Giordano (source)
Friday's readings: Genesis 43:1-15, Psalm 95, 1 Corinthians 7:1-9, Mark 4:35-41
Saturday's readings: Genesis 43:16-34, Psalm 75, 1 Corinthians 7:10-24, Mark 5:1-20
all readings for the third Sunday in Lent: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22
excerpts:
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
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”The law of the Lord is perfect... the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.”
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”For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God...
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
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”In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.””
* Monday - Thursday Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 2). On Fridays, I'll include the Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday which are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year B).
Collect for the third Sunday in Lent:
“Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
Spiritual practice for today:
Use the guide below to examine your heart and look for meaningful ways to put your faith into practice.
Prayer of Examination:
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!(Psalm 139:23-24)
Take a moment to quiet your heart and reflect upon the past week. Look especially for ways to express gratitude and thanksgiving to God for his goodness and love, as well as genuine sorrow over your own sin and brokenness. Close this time of prayer by expressing your hope in the power of the Holy Spirit who is faithful to forgive, cleanse, and transform you into his likeness (2 Cor. 3:18). (source)
(see all Lent daybook posts from 2017 here)