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February 26, 2023

The Practices of Hard Days

Tex Sample   |   Read 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 , Read 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

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Lectionary Week
February 20–26, 2023
Scripture Overview

In this first week of Lent, we prepare our hearts for a period of reflection. We think about areas of our lives in which we might be falling short of God’s desires. The problem of sin enters the human story at the very beginning when Adam and Eve choose to follow their own wisdom rather than guidance from God. The psalmist highlights the importance of recognizing our sin and asking for forgiveness, which God is quick to give. In Romans, Paul argues that we all partake in the broken human condition because we all have sinned as Adam did. The teachings from the Sermon on the Mount warn us against misplaced desires and selfishness.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7. How might this story help you turn to humility throughout your Lenten journey?Read Psalm 32. What seeming dichotomies comprise the full picture of your life of faith?Read Romans 5:12-19. How do you sense the differences Paul draws between Adam and Christ prompting you to turn toward God?Read Matthew 6:1-6,16-21. How do you practice your piety? What is your treasure, and where is it?

Respond by posting a prayer .

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

20 So we are ambassadors who represent Christ. God is negotiating with you through us. We beg you as Christ’s representatives, “Be reconciled to God!” 21 God caused the one who didn’t know sin to be sin for our sake so that through him we could become the righteousness of God.

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

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

1 Since we work together with him, we are also begging you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 He says, I listened to you at the right time, and I helped you on the day of salvation. Look, now is the right time! Look, now is the day of salvation! 3 We don’t give anyone any reason to be offended about anything so that our ministry won’t be criticized. 4 Instead, we commend ourselves as ministers of God in every way. We did this with our great endurance through problems, disasters, and stressful situations. 5 We went through beatings, imprisonments, and riots. We experienced hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger. 6 We displayed purity, knowledge, patience, and generosity. We served with the Holy Spirit, genuine love, 7 telling the truth, and God’s power. We carried the weapons of righteousness in our right hand and our left hand. 8 We were treated with honor and dishonor and with verbal abuse and good evaluation. We were seen as both fake and real, 9 as unknown and well known, as dying—and look, we are alive! We were seen as punished but not killed, 10 as going through pain but always happy, as poor but making many rich, and as having nothing but owning everything.

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

Invited to interview for the deanship at the Boston University School of Theology, I pursued the job for all the wrong reasons. I wanted to succeed my great teacher, Dean Walter Muelder. I sought the status and authority of that office and its affirmation of my life at thirty-six years...

God of love, we thank you for the participational love of Christ and for all those who have loved us into life and hope. Amen.


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