Day 30. One of the most heartbreaking accounts in the Bible to me is in Luke Chapter 22, after Peter’s third denial of Christ. “Just as he (Peter) was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Day 29. Tonight at Canterbury House we talked about prayer and the different forms it can take. What I’m learning is that I have to pay attention to catch the spontaneous moments of prayer, when it seems that God is praying for me, or that we are praying together, those moments that sweep me off my feet spiritually.
Day 25. The Last Supper was over. Jesus and the disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:37-38). Jesus is no stranger to sorrow — heart wrenching sorrow.
Day 24. As they reclined around the table after the last supper, Jesus spoke with the disciples about many things. One was their love for each other. Jesus called this a new commandment. The previous had been to love God with all that they had, and to love their neighbors as themselves. This time he added a new layer, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).
Day 23. In this season of lent we think about the life, suffering, and death of Jesus. I find this reflection very real and moving. This man who was also God gave his life to serve and love humanity, all of us, for all time.
Day 22. “I have glorified my name, and will glorify it again,” God said out loud to Jesus (John 12:28). I’ve never heard an audible voice from heaven. I have, however, heard God speak to my spirit in the form of thoughts, or through the glory of creation.
Day 21. Jesus said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24). In this verse of John’s gospel, Jesus is speaking of his own impending death. It is a short time from these words until the Passover, the betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. Jesus knew that the time was coming, and he was deeply troubled.
Day 19. In Matthew 21 we read of the chief priests and elders asking Jesus a simple question. Of course with these religious leaders, it was never easy, but baited. They tried to trap Jesus by asking him who gave him the authority to preach and heal.
Day 18. Early one morning, while waking with his disciples, Jesus got hungry. He approached a fig tree hoping to find fruit, but there was none. Jesus put a curse on the fig tree, and it withered. A curse? Jesus?
Day 17. Today we look at the story of Jesus cleansing the temple. The money changers had set up their tables in the Court of the Gentiles. This was the only place the Gentiles could pray at the temple.