Lent:Ash Wednesday Meditation

Reading:

The Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust.

                                                ~Psalm 103:13-14

(pause)

Reflecting:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

                                                ~Matthew 4:1-4

-  What do you think when you read that ‘Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil?’ What does this mean to you?

-  What questions do you have about that event? What answers have you come up with?

(pause)

Wondering

We all encounter the wilderness at some point in our lives; sometimes it feels like a long journey. What stands out in Jesus’ wilderness experience is how the Holy Spirit leads him there. Quite unexpected! Isn’t the Holy Spirit supposed to protect us from these experiences?

- As you think about your wilderness experiences, could it be that the Holy Spirit has led you into difficult places? If so, why do you think that is?

Prayer: Lord, I admit I am not as hungry for the words you speak to me as I am for tacos. I ask that you increase my desire for ‘every word that comes the mouth of God.’

(pause)

Listening

A traditional prayer for Ash Wednesday is Psalm 51:1-3, 10-12. My granddaughter reminded me today of that Psalm. Let’s make this our prayer:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.2 Wash away all my iniquity    and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me from your presence    or take your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.