Opening
Lord, as I sit here with you, quiet my heart and mind. You invite me to come as I am and so I come. Open my heart to all you have for me. Awaken me to your voice within.
Reflection
We begin our journey through Lent once again.
We slow our pace so we can notice and pay attention to all God has for us.
God’s love seeks to heal the broken places within us.
God’s love seeks to show us a transforming way to see and hear and live.
Let us intentionally imagine Jesus walking beside us.
What does He want to show us
within ourselves, within others?
May we listen and as we do
May we notice how deeply we are loved.
Invitation
Read the scripture through slowly a couple of times. Pause where you are drawn.
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
Prayer of Response
Beloved God,
You name me your beloved.
Help me to live from that space.
Help me to so claim it
that its truth resides anchored in my inner core.
Even when I fail
may I remember this truth
that there is no place I can go
where you are not with me.
There is no place I can go
where I am not loved by you.
And oh Holy One,
may I remember and live out
that the same thing is true
in every person you have made.
Help me to recognize
their belovedness
and to love them well.
Help me to be touched by their pain,
to celebrate their joys
and to claim
our inherent connection to each other.
So Beloved God, to whom I belong,
please forgive me
for all the ways I have failed
You, others, and myself.
Help me once again to live in
and reflect your love
and all of our belovedness
wherever I am.
Amen.