Daily Lenten Offering

Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

—Mark 12:41-44

God, if I had more courage I would give you my last coin. My last breath, even. But I am weary and anxious. My faith wavers and I hesitate. Forgive my equivocating, bargaining, evading. Bless my half-hearted commitment that it may grow into full-bodied devotion. Amen. 

Sacrifice

This is Holy Week and the last week of Jesus’ mortal life. Throughout his life, Jesus honed his skills and practiced his faith… for this. He was humble, curious, compassionate, self-defined, and full of joy. All of this prepared him to commit fully to God’s love, even at the expense of his own life.

Jesus would be tempted in the Garden, as he was tempted in the wild. Could there be an easier way, a short-cut that didn’t involve so much pain? “Not my will, God, but yours be done.” 

Our human ability to sacrifice — a little extra from our storehouse, an hour or two of our time, a portion of our ambition — requires us to set our knee-jerk reactions and our primal survival instincts. We bring our mature thoughts and our heart-felt intentions to the Way Jesus taught.

We offer ourselves in service to others out of the values of our faith. And we learn to receive these offerings from others. 

Blessing

Each week, we suggest to you a short moment of pause and prayer before you leave the house, or maybe even just when you get out of bed.