Lenten Journey 2020 Day 27 of 40

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Saturday, March 21 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 27 of 40
 
For the duration of its earthly existence the soul of a person inhabits a form called the body. While the Lenten Journey grooms the spirit and the soul, it sometimes takes a physical threat for us to realize the unique relationship between body, mind and soul. Today as a world we are focused on a pandemic virus that threatens the body, the receptacle of the soul. The Apostle St. Paul writes, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (ICor 6:19) Today, in the midst of global awakening to viral dangers, we are given a golden reminder to groom the spirit and keep the body strong for the work ahead.

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 26 of 40

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Friday, March 20 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 26 of 40
 
Checking for false pride is necessary because it is so easy to acquire. Especially when engaged in Lenten practices, it is very easy to confidently boast, “Look at me, I am doing something that others can’t do.” Check to make sure the means are not more important than the goal of our efforts. Lent is about self-improvement, to better our relationships and thereby improve our world. Dietary restrictions, heightened prayer life and sacrificing ourselves and our talents are means by which we understand the essence of life and what is essential for living in harmony with God and our surroundings. Our Lord cautions us, “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret.” (Matthew 6:3)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 25 of 40

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Thursday, March 19 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 25 of 40

Giving freely of yourself requires sacrifice.  To raise children, to support a husband or a wife, to deal with aging parents, to offer love and affection to people in need, requires selfless sacrifice. It is the selflessness that defines sacrifice as something valuable. Churches run on the power of volunteers. They get things done because in the volunteer is a spirit of sacrifice, and the ego must be lost.   The Lenten Journey is about suppressing the ego and losing the self. Jesus instructs, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 24 of 40

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Wednesday, March 18 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 24 of 40
 
People who have impacted society and life and are recorded in history in a very positive manner. You will find something very similar among them and in their biographies. They have been willing to sacrifice themselves and their talent. They have used their talents freely without restriction. Now, do not mistake this for low self-esteem or low self-worth. Sacrifice comes from a positive self-image. God has endowed you freely with your unique talent, and during this week of the Steward (Luke 16:1-13) find opportunities to use it freely. “Freely you have received,” says Jesus, “Freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 23 of 40

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Tuesday, March 17 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 23 of 40

During the week of the Steward (Luke 16:1-13) we inventory our talents to understand how we can better manage our lives. As a creation of God, we are unique – each of us – and therefore we are not equal. That’s the definition of being unique. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (I Cor 12:7) Celebrating your uniqueness does not allow for jealousy for in fact there is no competition, rather we are all children of God using the special talent that defines us for the common good. Jealousy is to be rid from our system, for in fact, our uniqueness and the sharing of our talent makes us like no other before God.

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 21 of 40

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Sunday, March 15 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 21 of 40
 
Halfway through the Lenten Journey we have climbed up the hill and from the summit we look to see two paths, one behind us and even more importantly, the path in front of us. It is this path that connects to a larger road which is the journey of life. It takes place in a world filled with difficulties and challenges, with disease, hatred, bigotry and war. At the same time each of these manifestations of evil give us an opportunity to overcome and celebrate victories in this same world. How appropriate that today the Armenian Church prescribes the Parable of the Steward (Luke 16:1-13) as its Lenten lesson. With a simple command: “Give me an accounting of your stewardship” (vs. 2) we understand that ours is to manage the life God has given us. It is a life that takes place in the here and now, in a world with good and bad in it. The meditation for this day is to contemplate the words of Christ himself: “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.” (vs. 8)

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 22 of 40

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Monday, March 16 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 22 of 40

God gives us the tools to handle the complexities of life and to make life’s journey a manageable one. The Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16:1-13) is given to us by our Lord Jesus. A dishonest steward, that is, a corrupt manager, is commended for his shrewdness.  By being wise and calculating he met his worldly goals.  Here Jesus tells us that the challenges of life are real. They are to be met and overcome by using the resource available to us. During the Lenten Journey we inventory those resources – those tools – that help us overcome life’s obstacles. Look no further than the talents that are unique to you and your ability to use them in this world.

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 19 of 40

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Friday, March 13 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 19 of 40
 
The week of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) comes to an end with a focus on the father who endures great pain at knowing his son is lost, but also knows that his son – like each of us – must create our own destiny. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the tremendous and unconditional love of our heavenly Father which must serve as an example for our love toward one another. God leaves the door open for us to return to Him. He does not reprimand, nor does He remind us of past offenses. Instead, he is welcoming. Can we do the same with those who have hurt us? The Lenten Journey is about asking “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.”

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 20 of 40

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Saturday, March 14 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 20 of 40
 
Day 20 marks a half-way point. It is important in any journey to review the steps that have brought us thus far and chart out the steps that lead forward. At the Last Supper, Jesus reflects on his ministry and the unique relationship between the disciples and himself: He as the “True Vine,” his Father the vinedresser and the disciples are the branches (John 15). In confidence, he moves forward to his Passion, “Rise, let us go” he instructs his disciples. Today is a day of reflection. Our bodies are becoming familiar with the dietary regimen, we have increased our prayer life and acts of charity. Our meditations and contemplations give us satisfaction. Reflect on those things you have discovered since Lent began and then Rise! Let us go forward. The second half of the Lenten Journey is moments away.

 

Lenten Journey 2020 Day 17 of 40

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Wednesday, March 11 – Lenten Journey 2020 Day 17 of 40
 
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) had lost his friends and his hunger caused him to fantasize about eating the hog’s slop. It was at that most hurtful and most vulnerable moment that he “came to his senses.” We might say that he reached his “enough moment.” Each of us encounters difficulties that accent the sharp contrasts in our lives. Part of the Lenten Journey is to find the “enough moment” in our lives when we realize that life does not have to follow a particular direction and we are ready to return back home.