Read: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

One of my favorite authors is Father James Martin, S.J., known as “the official chaplain of The Colbert Report”. His writing is entertaining to read, and I have learned more about my faith from his books than from any of my seminary classes.

Every year since he was in college at the University of Pennsylvania, several of his college buddies have collaborated to come up with Father Jim’s Lenten sacrifice. This stems from a conversation in which they decided that he should not be allowed to choose what he gives up every year. Sacrifices have ranged from orange soda to Hostess Sno Balls™ to oregano. I look forward to finding out what his buddies choose every year, and it inspired me to do something similar a few years ago and raffle off the chance to decide my Lenten Sacrifice on my blog.

Some of the things I have been asked to do include:

• Finding empty churches and praying in them twice per week
• Praying for a different person each day and someone I dislike every week
• Following a modified Coptic Orthodox fast (no meat, dairy, fish, or oil)

Have I loved doing all of them? Not particularly, especially the Coptic fast when all I wanted was a tuna sub from Subway with extra pickles. Have they changed me and made my life better? They definitely reminded me of Jesus while I was doing them, and I think that is the point of all of this: to focus on Jesus as we journey toward Good Friday and Easter.

Lord, help me to hold to my sacrifices this Lent and to do so without whining… too much. Amen.
-Jen McCabe

Read: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Jesus said, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before others (to be seen by them). If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (NIV)

Who doesn’t love applause? Who doesn’t love being appreciated and thanked for doing something nice? How many people – friends – have we lost over the years because the relationships seemed one-sided? Our egos may not demand recognition, and yet they can be so easily bruised. I sit here writing this while realizing I have not sent a thank-you note to some people who put me up on a recent outing. I said “thank you” before I left, of course, but Momma taught me one should always, always, always send a follow-up note – using real pen and paper (or card stock) and a stamp. It is the TIME we spend that says Thank you; not the paper, per se.

It is nearly impossible to do an act of kindness (or righteousness) that won’t be seen by others. It is also nearly impossible to do it so “ego-free” that only God will notice. I read what Jesus says and I answer, “My God, that’s impossible!” I suspect Jesus smiles and answers, “Yes, that’s the point.” If we think about it, the story of Lent is simply: I can’t; God can; I think I’ll let him.

I find I am happier when I realize I have fallen short of the ideal and have an opportunity to rectify matters. Others may not see it, but God does; that’s rewarding. I am happier when I do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Others may not see it. God does; that’s rewarding. Jesus invites us to let go the ego long enough to realize that (doing) that frees our hands. With hands free, we can place them in God’s; that’s rewarding – more than enough.

God, help me learn to place my hand in yours. Thanks! Amen.
-Keith Axberg

When I pondered the idea of doing a Lenten devotional in December 2017, Michael Boss suggested the idea of “The Gospel According to ________________” as a theme. I already had a theme in mind for last year, but I put Michael’s idea away for future use.

As I read through the Gospel readings for each Sunday, I saw that some of them were hard words to hear, and I thought about the question of “why is this good news?” Why is it good news that the Prodigal Son is thrown a party when he returned home after squandering his inheritance? Why is it good news that a fig tree is going to be thrown to the fire for not bearing good fruit until the gardener saves it and asks for another year to give it extra attention? Why is it good news that a woman pours expensive oil on Jesus’ feet and dries them with her hair?

As I started reading the devotions that people submitted, I started thinking that a better title would be “Good News” as it is literally what the word “Gospel” means. The Koine Greek word for “Gospel” is εὐαγγέλιον (transliterated as euangélion), which means literally “good message”. (Our English word “Gospel” comes from the Old English word “gōdspel”.) In any language, the Gospel is “good news”.

It *IS* good news that Jesus longs to wrap us in His arms and protect us like a mother hen protecting her chicks. It *IS* good news that God welcomes each sinner back to the fold when we stray. It *IS* good news that Jesus died on the Cross for us.

Every devotion is laid out the same way. There is a passage to read, a reflection, and then a prayer at the end. We at St. Paul’s wish you a blessed Lent and Holy Week.
-Jen McCabe