April 9
Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. 'The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing, who would ever have been spared' (Luther).
April 9
Below are some ways you can participate in The Lent Journey with the Northeastern Seminary & Roberts Wesleyan Community.
Prayer
Ask and Reflect
Accomplish your purposes among us, O God.
Tune our hearts to the voice of your Spirit.
Wake us to be present to you and to one another
In these shared hours we are given.
For it is you, O Lord, who have so gathered us from our various places,
And you alone who know our hearts and our needs.
Among us are some who arrive anxious, some who are lonely, some who suffer pain or sorrow. May we in our joys find grace to enter the sorrows of others.
Among us are some who arrive rejoicing, hearts made light by good news, good health, glad anticipation. May we in our sorrows find grace to embrace the joys of others.
Let us prize the moments and care for one another deploy - for each of us, and our relationships to one another, are precious and fleeting.
Amen
Every Moment Holy - Douglas McKelvey
