Devotional 3-19-14

Please read John 4:5-42

In this passage, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman.  Samaritans were, to Jews, outsiders--outcasts, different, marginalized by society.  As a Jew, Jesus could have ignored this woman, but he did not.  Jesus does not treat this woman as a second-class citizen.  Instead, he speaks with her, invites her to return to him at the well, and even reveals himself to her. This theme of God’s concern for those considered to be outsiders is seen time and again throughout the Bible.  Widows, orphans, foreigners--God’s laws call for the care of these people who otherwise may not be cared for: leave some food in your garden for the hungry; don’t over-tax the poor; the good news is for Gentiles.

Take a moment to consider who in our modern society is a “Samaritan.” Who amongst us is marginalized and outcast in our present day?  The potential list is endless.  Many who come to mind include the unemployed, the homeless, LGBT persons, foreigners struggling to learn our language and customs, the uneducated, those with an unsavory background, criminals, the disabled, the underdressed or unconnected, those who are bullied and even those who inflict the bullying. How can you take the lesson of this parable and put it into action in your everyday life?

In John 4, Jesus tells his disciples the “fields are ripe for harvesting…I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor.”  For what are we laboring?  What are we preparing for the reapers who will come after us?  Are we sowing seeds of love, justice, and acceptance among those overlooked by society?  Do we treat all graciously so the reapers of tomorrow will find a generation made to feel included in the Kingdom of God, or do we cast others aside, letting each fend for themselves even in the face of adversity?

Allow this season of Lent to be used for God’s labor.  Make it your time for seeking out, welcoming, and serving those on the edges.  Let us welcome those who have been excluded and turned away, who need to know and feel they belong in the Kingdom.

Loving God, lead us in ministry to those in the margins.  Fill us with your mercy and grace, that we may be merciful and gracious. Amen.

Marcia Canterbury

Devotional 3-5-12

John 2:13-22

Recently I visited and attended church with my parents. It was the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and the preacher spoke to the children about Lent during the children’s sermon. The “congregation” was small - just one little girl, but she listened intently as Preacher Pam explained the upcoming season.

“We will take all the pretty, shiny things out of the sanctuary,” she said, pointing out the golden cross and candlesticks on the altar. Pam described a plain, wooden cross that would be placed at the front of the sanctuary. “You will make symbols for it during Sunday School in the next few weeks,” she told the young lady. “And we will not sing any alleluias,” she said solemnly.

No “alleluias.”

Pam observes Lent like no one else I know. A normally exuberant, boisterous lady, she is markedly reserved during Lent. She truly mourns the absence of alleluias. When I see her at Easter each year, she is noticeably thinner, and I am convicted of my lack of observance. I want to be like Pam, but I am more like the Jews in this passage of John, missing the point until Easter arrives.

John 2 -- ¹⁹ Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." ²⁰ The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" ²¹ But he was speaking of the temple of his body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Prayer: God of all seasons, be with us. Help us use this season as You intend. Let us honor your sacrifice, the yielding of Yourself and of Your son. In His name, Amen.

Marcia Canterbury