Lent Daybook, 16: Propitiation
THIRD SATURDAY IN LENT
Welcome to a Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. You can see all the previous Lent daybook 2019 posts here.
Is this your first time to practice Lent? Here's a simple introduction.
Look: Meteors, 2017, Nicolas Sanchez
(Source)
Listen: “Abraham” from Seven Swans, Sufjan Stevens
Spotify | YouTube | Lyrics
Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify - Lent: Worship & Prayer 2019. Add it to your account by clicking ‘Follow.’
Read: Psalm 75, 76; Jeremiah 5:20-31; Romans 3:19-31; John 7:1-13
Excerpts:
“At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”
For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.”
*
”Declare this in the house of Jacob;
proclaim it in Judah:
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people,
who have eyes, but see not,
who have ears, but hear not.
Do you not fear me? declares the Lord.
Do you not tremble before me?
But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
they have turned aside and gone away.
They know no bounds in deeds of evil;
they judge not with justice
the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper,
and they do not defend the rights of the needy.
Shall I not punish them for these things?
declares the Lord,
and shall I not avenge myself
on a nation such as this?”
An appalling and horrible thing
has happened in the land:
the prophets prophesy falsely,
and the priests rule at their direction;
my people love to have it so,
but what will you do when the end comes?”
*
”Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
*
”For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.”
Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year C). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 1) with the Psalm for the Morning Office.
Pray & Do:
Each week during Lent, we will devote Saturdays to connecting with An American Lent from The Repentance Project. It's God's kindness that leads us to repentance, and in His kindness and provision for reconciliation, He invites us to make confession and ask for forgiveness on behalf of not only ourselves but our forefathers and mothers. We carry a heavy load of guilt and grief in our nation as a result of centuries of grievous sin and unrelenting injustice against African Americans.
Go here to download a PDF or subscribe to receive daily reflections from An American Lent.
Read, reflect, and repent with An American Lent.
Begin with prayer:
“Here I am, Lord. With this breath that you’ve given me, I lift my voice to you. As the deer pants for water so my soul longs for you. My whole being thirsts for you. You are my shelter and sustenance. You are the word made flesh that dwells among us. I want to feast on your truth today. Come, fill me afresh. Let the wellspring of my heart pour out more of your goodness, your compassion, and your justice. Amen.”
Spend time today reading through the reflections for Week 3 (March 18-24): Christian Opposition to Slavery. I especially noticed Thursday’s reflection “Jim Crow and the God Who Hates” by Rev. Darryl Ford and Saturday’s reflection “Voices of Protest and Voices of Reason” by Rev. Sylvester “Tee” Turner.
From Rev. Darryl Ford:
Read Proverbs 6:16-19 and 20:23 .
Read carefully the history of Jim Crow - click through the links.
Read Jemar Tisby’s article for the Washington Post: “This Black History Month, don’t pretend racism has disappeared from the church”
Respond: “Take some time to consider the difference between individual and structural racism. How does your heart align with God’s heart concerning unjust measures? Where have you sensed discomfort or conviction as you read today’s reflection? Write down your thoughts, questions, and feelings. Ask God to align your heart with His.”
From Rev. Turner’s reflection:
Read carefully
Respond: “Ask God to show you how he might be inviting you to be both a voice of reason and of protest in the battle against racial injustice. Perhaps your invitation is to first “reason” with those who share a different perspective or life experience—pursue a family member, friend, colleague, or neighbor who does not share your views on race. Engage in difficult conversations, seeking first to understand, then to be understood. Practice the art of “reasoning together.”
Close with prayer:
“Father, I confess my desperate need for you. I esteem others for their status and wealth, while you esteem those who are poor in spirit. You uphold the cause of the oppressed and afflicted. Teach me to love as you love. Teach me to love without partiality. Amen.”
Additional recommendations for your weekend:
Read Kathryn Freeman’s review of Jemar Tisby’s new book for CT: Can We Handle the Truth About Racism and the Church? (and purchase the book!)
Read the post: Why Bibles Given to Slaves Omitted Most of the Old Testament by Becky Little. The so-called “Slave Bible” told of Joseph’s enslavement but left out the parts where Moses led the Israelites to freedom.
Listen to the “Scene on Radio: Seeing White Series.” podcast.
(See all Lent daybook posts from 2018 here.)