Fourth Sunday
Icon of the Nativity (also known as the Volpi Nativity) / Unknown Greek Artist / First quarter of 15th century
SUNDAYS IN LENT ARE NOT COUNTED IN THE 40 DAYS LEADING UP TO EASTER. INSTEAD, THEY ARE “MINI-EASTERS.” TAKE TIME TO REST, REFLECT AND REJOICE IN THE RESURRECTION WITH JOY AND CELEBRATION IN YOUR HEART.
Morning & evening Prayer
Lord, You have chosen to let me live in this fallen world because You plan to employ the difficulties of it to continue and complete Your work in me. Moments of difficulty are not an interruption of Your plan or the failure of Your plan, but rather an important part of Your plan. I’m often not looking for the grace You give me when I cry out to You. I’m looking for the grace of relief and release. You give me those in little pieces, but largely they are yet to come. What I really need right now is the grace of transformation. Your grace is not always pleasant. It often comes in the form of something I never would have chosen to go through if I were controlling the joystick. Teach and encourage me with uncomfortable grace, because on this side of eternity, Your grace often comes to me in uncomfortable forms. It’s not what I want, but it is precisely what I need. You are faithful; You will use the brokenness of the world that is my present address to complete the loving work of personal transformation that You have begun in me! Amen.