Anglican Mainstream

First Sunday of Lent    

LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: The readings during the five Sundays of Lent provide a short course in the meaning of the baptismal covenant in our lives. Each week resounds with elements of the Covenant being offered in the Sacred Scriptures in the hopes that on this first Sunday in Lent, we can turn away from evil and journey in Holy Week not to deny Him.

MEDITATION OF THE DAY:  Some Christians receive Lent for all sorts of reasons (guilt, obligation or the fact that it is just that time of year). The core motive force must come from the power of the water in our lives. We are reminded of the power of that water today in the lesson from Genesis.

Perhaps, we find these difficult days in the global economy t feels as if the Spirit sends us into the wilderness. The Gospel reminds us that we are called to come out on the side of grace, like Jesus filled with the power of the Spirit and with new found energy for the task, our own life and journey this Lent. As we apply ourselves to our Lenten disciplines, to become more the people God wants us to be both individually and communally, we perhaps will find the renewal of our lives through the difficult the choices we are faced with in this struggling global village. 

The reality of our vocation as Christians is that our identity is a choice we affirmed (or which was affirmed for us) at our Baptism. BUT each day we must re-affirm that choice again and again in the face of temptation that may offer us short term gains but will not offer us to eternal prize.

PRAYER OF THE DAY: Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son's death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: We must neither doubt nor hesitate with respect to the words of the Lord; rather we must be fully persuaded that every word of God is true and possible, even if our nature should rebel against the idea — for in this lays the test of faith- St. Basil the Great, Homily II

Lenten Discipline –  As you read again  Mark 1:9-15 take some time to ponder  What material possessions, people, fears or emotions do you allow to have power over you? How are you tempted to serve this other "master"? Spend the afternoon seeking to be released from that which has power of you by doing a self inventory. Such an inventory asks us to take a serious and closer look at ourselves in the light of Jesus’ teachings and make an assessment on where we stand in the spiritual journey. I do not mean here an unhealthy preoccupation with our spiritual profile but an honest approach to gain more self-knowledge. Go to http://www.prayertoday.org/2004/PDF/Worksheets/Disciples-Spiritual-Inventory-long.PDF

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