Category: Examen
Lent: Day 10
What is one thing you own that you should probably throw out?
Stephen Colbert, “The Colbert Questionert.” 2021.
Possession, idea, or both?
I was a pipe smoker for thirteen years. After I quit, I boxed up my collection of pipes, lighters, and the small humidor. Back then, it was probably worth about $500. I don’t think I’ll ever take up pipe smoking again, but I can’t seem to let go of the stuff.
Hope is the cause of suffering in the world. I adopted an idea of hopelessness, intellectually and emotionally, as part of my worldview the third year of college. I know that may be shocking or abrasive to hear from a minister. I might be more “fit” for my vocation were I to embrace hope again. I think hope and guilt have a similar motivational value one time. After that, both are baggage you carry around the rest of your life based on an outcome. So, why not act, no matter what, when it is in your power to do what is right, because it is right. Still, hopelessness is probably something to let go.
First Sunday of Lent
Each year our Regional Youth Council (RYC) creates a devotion eBook for Lent and Advent. The adults that serve as sponsors for RYC work with a different group each year. The pandemic has been particularly hard for some of us to feel inspired or inspirational during these “holy” days of Christendom. Below is the devotion for the first Sunday of Lent from the self published ebook, Lent: a Daily Journey 2021.
I invited you to join our youth in this daily journey.
Psalm 25:1-10
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me. Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore the Lord instructs sinners in the way. The Lord leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble the way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep covenant and the decrees.
Click here to download a pdf. Click here to download an epub.