Apache "Devil" dance
Second Sunday in Lent
Jesus began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:31-38
In our modern age, most people say they don't believe in Satan or the Devil. Yet, we love movies that depict evil and many adore true crime mysteries and stories about serial killers. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that there is evil in our world, no matter how we choose to describe it. We also know our own personal capacity for evil. We are often selfish and greedy, gossiping and judging, seeking the best for ourselves while we take from others. We have an invitation this Lent to take time to be aware of our broken selves, riddled with the desire to strike out and hurt. If we are honest with ourselves and offered the brokenness to God, healing will come.
Precious Savior, heart of our Creator
we are fashioned from dust and the stars
we are broken yet filled with your spirit
we need your healing and direction daily.
Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.
We are willful, arrogant and often cruel
we put ourselves before the ones you love
we scheme and plot so we get our own way
yet your way id one of love and service.
Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.
Every season you call us to repent
your healing and forgiveness at hand
we resist your love and tender care for us
and then cry out to you to rescue each of us.
Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.
Our hearts are weary from division and war
you call us to make peace with our enemies.
Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.
We struggle to win and always be right
yet you call us to be humble and serve others.
Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you.
Come Lord Jesus, heal us and make us new
implant your divine love in our hearts forever.
Lord Jesus, help us to take up our cross and follow you. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment