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March 5, 2017

Living into Lent

Roberta Bondi   |   Read Psalm 32:1-11

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Lectionary Week
February 27–March 5, 2017
Scripture Overview

The texts for Ash Wednesday are all ominous in nature, pointing forward to the redemptive power of God’s grace. Lent is a time when Christians reflect on their mortality and sin, as well as on the creative and re-creative power of God. The original parents of humanity could not resist the seduction of the serpent, but that narrative stands beside the story of Jesus’ lonely and painful resistance to the power of Satan. In Romans, the “one man’s obedience” by which “the many will be made righteous” is the quality that endures. The Joel passage is an alarm bell in the darkness of the night. Those who are caught in this terrible moment cannot hope to save themselves, for they are powerless to do anything on their own behalf. They are powerless to do anything, that is, except to repent and to open themselves to God’s intervening mercy.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7. What choices have you made that put you outside God’s intention for your life?
• Read Psalm 32. Are there unconfessed wrongdoings in your life that need God’s forgiveness? Will this Lent be a time when you can nd the freedom forgiveness brings?
• Read Romans 5:12-19. Have you experienced a relationship that has died? How has God renewed that time in your life?
• Read Matthew 4:1-11. What has tempted you to set faith aside and to trust only in yourself? How did that work out?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 32:1-11

1 The one whose wrongdoing is forgiven, whose sin is covered over, is truly happy! 2 The one the LORD doesn’t consider guilty in whose spirit there is no dishonesty that one is truly happy! 3 When I kept quiet, my bones wore out; I was groaning all day long every day, every night! 4 because your hand was heavy upon me. My energy was sapped as if in a summer drought. Selah 5 So I admitted my sin to you; I didn’t conceal my guilt. “I’ll confess my sins to the LORD,” is what I said. Then you removed the guilt of my sin. Selah 6 That’s why all the faithful should pray to you during troubled times, so that a great flood of water won’t reach them. 7 You are my secret hideout! You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of rescue! Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you about the direction you should go. I’ll advise you and keep my eye on you. 9 Don’t be like some senseless horse or mule, whose movement must be controlled with a bit and a bridle. Don’t be anything like that! 10 The pain of the wicked is severe, but faithful love surrounds the one who trusts the LORD. 11 You who are righteous, rejoice in the LORD and be glad! All you whose hearts are right, sing out in joy!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Today’s psalm calls us to confess our wrongdoings to God lest
these unconfessed wrongdoings eat us up from the inside
out. The psalmist says when he failed to confess, he experienced
consequences in his body. He lost weight, groaned all day, and
felt his physical strength depleted.

Adam and Eve’s...

Loving God, help us to stop blaming others and take responsibility for what we do so that we may truly celebrate the coming Easter. Amen.


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