Lent Daybook 19: Known And Loved

Look:  Embrace of Peace II, George Tooker - Source 

Listen*:  Known & Loved, Joel Ansett - Lyrics | Spotify | YouTube 

Read**:  Psalm 119:97-120; Genesis 45:16-28; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 6:13-29  

Excerpts:

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."

*

"So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

*

"Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God."

*

"And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly."

- Psalm 119:103-104 * Genesis 45:25-28 * 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 * Mark 6:13-20 (ESV)

Pray: from "Ash Wednesday" by T.S. Eliot - Source 

Use these words as a guide by speaking them directly to God as a prayer.

And pray to God to have mercy upon us

And pray that I may forget

These matters that with myself I too much discuss

Too much explain

Because I do not hope to turn again

Let these words answer

For what is done, not to be done again

May the judgement not be too heavy upon us

Because these wings are no longer wings to fly

But merely vans to beat the air

The air which is now thoroughly small and dry

Smaller and dryer than the will

Teach us to care and not to care

Teach us to sit still.

Do: Fast preconceived notions (judgments). Feast on a hospitable imagination instead.

This week, ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of the times throughout the day that you operate out of preconceived notions (judgments) about Him, others, and yourself. Make the time at least once a day to stop what you’re doing and practice a hospitable imagination in one of the following ways: 

  1. Make space for divergent opinions

  2. Make space for meaning

  3. Make space for listening

  4. Make space for conversation

  5. Make space for reading outside your tradition

  6. Make space for curiosity

  7. Make space for pausing

Sometime this week, share with us one way you’ve practiced a hospitable imagination and what the experience was like for you. You can leave a comment on the blog, Facebook, Instagram, or reply directly to this email.

You  might also enjoy: Noticing Without Judgment (my Instastory)

* Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify - Lent: Worship & Prayer 2020. Add it to your account by clicking ‘Save to My Library.’

** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year A). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 2).