2022
Lenten Devotional GUIDE
Love God. Love People. Belmont University University Ministries
Guide to Daily Prayer
O P E N I N G S C R I P T U R E & P R AY E R Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Psalm 51:10–11) Holy God, I open my heart, my mind and my life to you. Speak, so that I will hear your voice and my life will be changed. AMEN.
CONFESSION OF SIN Reflect quietly before God, asking for forgiveness for all those things you have done and the good things that have been left undone. Remember, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
SCRIPTURE LESSONS & REFLECTION Read the assigned passages for the day found at the top of each page along with the written devotional.
P R AY E R S The following is a suggested guide for prayer during Lent: Pray for all Christians around the world; especially for
Pray for all those who engage in the ministries of the
those who endure persecution for their faith.
Church and especially for Belmont University.
Pray for our nation and all those in authority.
Pray for those who suffer and grieve.
Pray for Christ’s peace in the world.
Pray for those whose lives are closely linked with yours
Pray for the end of conflict and war.
Pray for God’s transforming work in your life.
Pray for justice for all people.
Lent 2022
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday. The traditional purpose of Lent was the preparation of the believer for baptism on Easter Sunday. Today, the church affirms that through the practices of prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial, Christians are prepared to remember the death of Jesus on Good Friday and celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday. As strange as it may sound, Lent is one of my favorite seasons of the year. It is a season that gives me permission to do that which I should already be doing—taking intentional time to focus on my faith and allow God to teach and shape me. Believing that God will be at work in us when we give ourselves to intentional times of prayer and reflection, we create this Lenten Devotional Guide each year to help our community enter more fully into this season. Our prayer is that the words found here will nourish and challenge you as you journey with Jesus to the cross during this Lenten season. You are encouraged to read the assigned scripture passages, the devotional, and spend time in prayer and meditation. As always, we are immensely grateful to all of those who have helped to make this Lenten and Holy Week guide available to our campus community. This is a campus-wide collaboration that includes contributions from students, faculty, staff and alumni. As I read through each of these offerings, I recognize the gifts and graces that God has given to each of us and the way that we can encourage, inspire and challenge one another. I hope that your experience is the same as mine. As we enter into this season, I share with you this prayer of invitation: Gracious God, As we enter into once again into this holy Lenten season: Come as holy light to enlighten our minds. Come as holy truth to teach us your ways. Come as holy wind to blow a fresh work of your Spirit. Come as holy fire to cleanse us from all sin. Come as holy power to send us into your service. AMEN. —John M. Drescher
Grace and peace, H EATHER GERB SC H DAU G HER T Y Rev. Heather Gerbsch Daugherty University Minister, Office of University Ministries
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Ash Wednesday
A S H W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 2 Isaiah 58:1–12 | Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 | 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10 | Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21
Lent is a relatively new concept to me. Growing up, I had seen classmates return to school after lunch with ashes on their foreheads, and heard people say what they were giving up for Lent, but until recently, it wasn’t part of my own religious year. I am still a toddler in these pre-Easter practices, and usually at a loss when contemplating my own observance of Lent. Our readings for today, when looked at through a lens of Ash Wednesday and Lent, give a different perspective on these practices, elevating them from merely something to do (or not to do) to ways of being, not only during the next 40 days, but through our entire walk with God and our fellow humans. Light and darkness are themes we see in today’s readings, as well as through the entirety of Scripture. God’s first recorded words spoke light into existence, and God came to earth as a human to be the light of the world. Since we are created in God’s image, we are called to be light in “a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness” (Joel 2:2a, NIV). In Isaiah, light is connected to healing (vs 8), as light therapy can bring relief to the darkness of depression. Many fast from physical things, like food or shopping, in order to spend that money on items for those in need. That is a great exercise, but we are further called to spend ourselves to “satisfy the needs of the oppressed” (Isaiah 58:10a, NIV). This brings to mind the oft-quoted passage in Micah, asking what sacrifice pleases God. Is it thousands of rams, rivers of oil, or our firstborn children? These things already belong to the Lord. Instead, be just, be merciful, be humble (6:6-8). These are the things that bring God’s light to a world of injustice, oppression and pride. This is not to negate Lenten abstinence, or preclude almsgiving, because where we engage in these ways of being, we will do the work of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and walking more closely with God and others. When our motive to do good works is to bring the light, we are God’s ambassadors and co-workers, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians, and we store up those heavenly treasures Jesus mentions in Matthew. In a dark world, we can be God’s light.
PA MELA HOWELL , Call Center Manager Office of Admissions
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T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 3 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 | Exodus 5:10-23 | Acts 7:30-34 For nearly two years, all of us have been living in a shadow. A shadow of who we were, where we were going and what life was like before the pandemic. At times anxiety, frustration and fear have made it difficult to envision our next steps without knowing what’s coming. What is striking to me about this verse is the phrase “will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” This has challenged my definition of what a shadow truly looks like. A shadow is defined as “a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.” When I look at this definition through the eyes of this verse, I realize the shadow we’re casting is nothing compared to the light we’re walking into. This is a powerful image that illuminates the joy in stepping into God’s light, even if we don’t truly know what it looks like. But the question is how do we sit confidently in a season of unknowns and boldly take those next steps? The verse emphasizes that the shadow is not a place of anxiety, but a place of rest and shelter where we can dwell with God. He has not left us in the shadow but is preparing us for something grander than we could imagine. He is developing a fortress of trust that allows us to live in joy even if we don’t know what our next step is. But how can we rest in and trust God when we have been waiting for so long to find our next step? How do we know that He is going to show up? The answer can be found in the story of Moses. He waited 40 years before he heard the message from God go and free the Israelites. Moses’ time living in his own shadow was long and the response was unexpected. Once he stepped into the light God had for Him, he not only helped his people but freed them. This is one example of God showing up for us. It may not look the way we expect but He continues to bring us closer to the joy of living in His shadow versus our own. This is the hope in Easter. It’s living in the knowledge that He has transcended all things to give us the gift of new life, hope and joy no matter our circumstances.
CHELSEA LOMA R T I R E, Admissions Coordinator College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences | College of Education
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F R I D AY, M A R C H 4 Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16 | Exodus 6:1–13 | Acts 7:35–42 After reflecting on these three passages, I can’t help but notice a common thread throughout: trust. In this current state of the world as we know it, there is not a whole lot of trust being mutually shared among each other, through the continued variants that carry on the pandemic, political unrest, great loss, the inability to pursue the plans we have made or find solid ground to stand on for very long. Much like the Israelites in these passages, there are many reasons we could give, including what I have already mentioned, to explain or excuse why we are wavering in our trust in anyone or anything, including our faith. However, much like what God asks the Israelites, God asks us the same: to trust. Every time I hear any phrases that include things like shelter-in-place or stay at home or virtual, I can already feel myself shutting down and shifting into the same routine that has helped me survive all those hours on Zoom. However, after re-reading Psalm 91:1-2, there has been a bit of a mindset shift for me. It reads, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,’” (NIV). When we are making valiant attempts to stay safe for ourselves and those around us, isn’t that not only a sign of love, but also a sign of faith? So, then, could a lens through which we view staying at home be a way in which we are taking refuge in the Lord? I want you to take a moment to really ask yourself: who do you trust? Have you told them that you trust them lately? Can you share your struggles and doubts with them instead of keeping them to yourself or sweeping them under the rug? Can one of the names that pops up in your mind as trustworthy be Jesus? He is here for you, always, even in ways that the people around you who care about you can’t. Take some time to think about who is on your Trust List, and make it a point to reach out to them, whether that be through a phone call, a text, an email, a coffee date or a prayer.
KATIE DOW, Class of 2022 Social Work Major, Dance Minor, College of Health Sciences
S AT U R D AY, M A R C H 5 Deuteronomy 26:1–11 | Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 | John 12:27–36 There’s a season for everything, says our passage from Ecclesiastes 3. COVID has introduced some new phrases for me like “a time to cancel plans” and “a time to quarantine” that I’m quite ready to leave behind. Yet the Lenten season typically asks us to embrace a season of denial, abstention and of sacrifice as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. I’m sure that many of us are ready for a new season to emerge, but we are nevertheless invited to find purpose in whatever season in which we find ourselves. But how do we sustain any sense of hope when our world continues to be thrown into upheaval? How much longer must we endure the season of job loss, of overcrowded hospitals and of meetings on Zoom? When can we move to a new season with mask-less gatherings and plans that don’t fall through? Well, the author doesn’t give us much on how to change the season we’re in. Later in Ecclesiastes, we hear “for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart” (7:2). In other words, how do we find purpose in whatever the present gives us? Catholic theologian Richard Rohr writes often about liminal space. He says, “Nothing good or creative emerges from business as usual. This is why much of the work of God is to get people into liminal space, and to keep them there long enough so they can learn something essential. It is the ultimate teachable space…maybe the only one.” My prayer is that in the liminal spaces of whatever season we find ourselves in today, we will be open to learning something essential, to seeing something beautiful, and to expressing ever-deeper compassion. Reflect today on what it might mean for you to live in the moment today gives you and to pay attention to how you might find God there.
L A RKIN BRILEY, Transformational Project Strategist Office of the President
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S U N D AY, M A R C H 6 Deuteronomy 26: 1–11 | Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16 | Romans 10: 8b–13 | Luke 4:1–13
First Sunday of Lent
We are instructed today to “declare” a lot of different things before the Lord. Etymologically, declare comes from the Latin declarare (to make visible). These readings direct God’s people to declare their presence, their sorrows, their stories and God’s power (Deuteronomy); to declare His name, their love and their needs (Psalms); and to declare God’s omnipresence, their belief, their faith and their salvation (Romans). In calling out to the Lord, God makes all these gifts visible, and, through this declaration, God is also made visible. What is it in your life that needs to be made visible right now? Try this declaration exercise: Deuteronomy directs God’s people to “take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the Lord your God is giving you and put them in a basket.” So, in your mind’s eye, picture a basket. Is it big or small? What material is it woven with? Is it soft-sided or hard? Deep or shallow? Now, think about all the things that you have been producing lately. It probably does not look like apples or bushels of wheat; but, those quizzes or grading spreadsheets represent your work in the soil of young people—people who will go out to dispense medicine as pharmacists or protect victims of crime as lawyers or bless people with music as clarinetists. Pick a few “products” that represent the firstfruits of your labor, and place them in your basket. While it is your produce, God has given you the soil. Wrap up the gifts in the basket with a thin towel representing your thanks. Imagine placing this basket before an altar and kneeling beside it. And finish this sentence, “I declare today, before the Lord my God,…” What will you declare? Your presence? Your sorrow? Your story? God’s power? His name? Note that the first three readings all stand in contrast to the Gospel, where the devil instructs a hungry Jesus to tell a stone to become bread. Jesus refuses to make such a declaration. Jesus simply will not make a declaration that is coming from a place of temptation outside himself. So, go ahead and declare whatever is coming from a place of authenticity inside you. The content does not matter as much as the act. It is in the declaring that you make God visible.
K RISTI A RTH, Assistant Professor of Law College of Law
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M O N D AY, M A R C H 7 Psalm 17 | 1 Chronicles 21:1-17 | 1 John 2:1-6 Today you are invited to spend time reading each of the scripture texts and answer the following questions based on your reading. What can you learn from each of these texts? Psalm 17 1. Is David telling the hard truth about himself? 2. Is David worthy of YHWH’s protection? This text is a reminder to us that we can speak to God about any subject—there are no questions that are off limits. God receives our doubts and our fears, and stands with us in steadfast love. 1 Chronicles 21:1-17 1. Why was God displeased with the census? 2. Why did David take the blame and confess? 3. Why did David ask not to fall into human hands? 4. Why did David plead to God that the anger of God fall on him? 5. Does God’s grace have no bounds? We see here that despite David’s grave sins, he still comes to God, confesses his sins and pleads that God would save his people. This text serves as a reminder to us that God does not count our sins against us, or cast us away from God’s presence. 1 John 2:1-6 In the first two readings, we read that YHWH is so upset and wants to destroy all the people. In an effort to prevent this, David offers to take on the sins of the people. This text from 1 John shows us that this is not necessary, but a new way was made for the forgiveness of sins. What is it? Do you believe this new idea of love and forgiveness? How will your life be different because of this good news?
DAVID BRIDGES , Instructor, School of Music College of Music & Performing Arts
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T U E S D AY, M A R C H 8 Psalm 17 | Zechariah 3: 1–10 | 2 Peter 2:4–21 Every time my mom got lost or was looking for where to go while driving, she would always turn the music down. I would joke and respond, “you’re using your eyes, it doesn’t matter what’s going into your ears!” Yet, when I started driving, I did the same. I found that I couldn’t focus on where to go or get out of a tricky parking situation if I was being overloaded with stimulus. Sadly, Sometimes, this overflow of ideas can push someone away from anything affiliated, or it can just fail to truly say anything. Even though people refer to us as, “the distracted generation,” Peter shows us that distraction is nothing new. Preaching in an era where the church was just getting its legs and everybody was searching for direction in the wake of Jesus’ ascension, Peter faced many preachers that were not leading people into true relationships with Christ. His confrontation with these preachers and teachers, however, is pretty astonishing. We often know Peter to be emotional and a bit of a wild child in the Gospels, but here we find Peter setting this aside to remind us that, similar to David’s revelation in Psalm 17, judgment is not ours to have. He speaks of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction in Genesis, but of Lot’s life being spared. He speaks of the flood in Genesis, but of Noah’s life being spared. He gives these illustrations as if to say, “The Lord has proven Himself to be just and active in our lives. We are to be cautious of false teachers, yes, but judgment is not ours.” He then lists qualities to look for that might reveal somebody to be a false teacher. Take a moment to pause and think about voices in your life that might not be leading you to truth. What place do these voices have? How might you be able to surround yourself with life-giving teaching? Finally, Peter drops the phrase that some of us might be familiar with: “People are slaves to whatever has mastered them” (verse 19). He does not say this only in regards to false teachers, but to everything. Paul speaks on this in Romans 6 as well, that we are all a slave to something. Furthermore, Peter tells us that these masters will be enticing and pleasurable. Now, I know this can all sound dreary and frustrating. Peter is not saying that we should not have pleasure, or that we should live our life in paranoia. I perceive him to be saying that everything in our life has the capability to master us, but the only way we will receive freedom from this tug-of-war is to consistently choose to be mastered by the master of freedom: Jesus. Take another moment to think about what is mastering you. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Your master can take many forms, but there is only one master that can offer you life and clear the clutter. Perhaps this is the push to let go of those things holding you tightly. Even though something might be our master, it is often us holding on. It’s okay to let go. Lent is often the season of release as our eyes fall on the life of Jesus. Let go with me. One, two, three. Breathe. May these new spaces within you be filled with the breath of the Spirit, and may this breath fuel you with truth in your days to come.
AUSTIN LANNING , Class of 2022 Creative Entertainment Industry and Religious Studies Major · 8 ·
W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 9 Psalm 17 | Job 1:1–22 | Luke 21:34–22:6 Most of us have probably felt a bit like Job at some point in our lives, and maybe we have especially felt that way over the past couple of years. It feels like the hits just keep on coming these days, doesn’t it? In just the first chapter of Job, Job receives terrible news of a tragedy befalling his household four times—while the report of one tragedy is still coming out of his servant’s mouth, another arrives with more terrible news. A bit like watching the news today! When I arrive at the end of chapter 1 of Job’s story and read, “In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing” (1:22), I think to myself, Well, good for you, buddy; you’re better than I am! But I find the story of Job comforting because it doesn’t end here, with this assertion of Job’s stellar and nearly unattainable piety in the face of calamity. In the subsequent chapters of this story, we instead get a sprawling poetic account of the internal life of someone who is suffering greatly—an account that transcends time and comes to us through the ages, feeling as fresh and relevant as if it had been written this year. It is a meditation on suffering, on divine justice, on human nature. And it is full of desperate questions, variations on the theme of, “God, where are you? Can’t you see I am in despair?” The raw honesty of this text—and the verbal sparring between the characters of Job and God toward the end of it— reminds me that people have always suffered, and people have always sought meaning in the midst of their suffering. What is striking about Job’s story is that his pain does not turn him away from God; rather, it turns him more fully toward God—not in a bland, bumper-sticker way, but in a robust, demanding, bold and authentic way. Job doesn’t get the answer he might be looking for; there is often no good answer for suffering. But he doesn’t stop asking, he doesn’t stop seeking, he doesn’t stop pestering! As Job finds out, God is present with us in our suffering, and God is not afraid of our questions about that suffering. As we take stock of the pain in our world, let us remember these lessons from Job, and let us be a little more present for each other in the midst of our pain.
BETH RITTER- CON N , Instructor College of Theology & Christian Ministry
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T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 1 0 Psalm 27 | Genesis 13: 1–7, 14–18 | Philippians 3:2–12 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…” (Philippians 3:7–8) For a number of decades, we who live in the United States have enjoyed a time of unparalleled peace, freedom and prosperity. Along with the incredible benefits and blessings we’ve had, our society provides a great deal of temptations and distractions from the Christian life. Many of us try to have it both ways—knowing the truth of Jesus and his salvation, we keep one foot in the Christian camp, and not wanting to miss out on anything, we keep the other foot in the worldly camp. In Matthew Henry’s well-known commentary, he wrote “…here [Paul] speaks of all things, all worldly enjoyments and mere outward privileges whatsoever, things…which could stand in competition with Christ for the throne in his heart…” While some of the things of this world might seem innocent and attractive, Paul went so far as to call them “garbage.” Jesus said: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” (Luke 9:25) God even made this Number 1 on his “Top Ten List”: “You shall have no other gods before me.” The things of this world might seem pretty solid, but they’re not: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19) Riches and other gifts from God are not intended for us to selfishly spend on our worldly desires, but to share with others in promoting his kingdom and caring for those less fortunate. Paul provides a good example for us of a person who tried to live this kind of life. Jesus told us: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”(Matthew 13:44) During this Lenten season, prayerfully consider: Are there things of this world I’m holding on to that I could exchange for something much better?
DA N IEL BILES, Professor Mathematics and Computer Science Department
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F R I D AY, M A R C H 1 1 Psalm 27 | Genesis 14:17–24 | Philippians 3:17–20 During Lent, a common traditional practice is for one to give up something such as a particular food, money, time, or perhaps even a certain hobby or luxury that one might usually enjoy. The intent is to remove an aspect of the earthly, human desire in order to focus more on the spiritual side of things and grow closer to God. This is commemorative of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert before he was tempted by the devil. In today’s passage of Philippians 3:17-20, the author Paul gives us a stern warning of what happens when we focus only on our earthly desires. However, for those who have put their hope in Jesus, he leaves some encouraging words for the future. Paul begins with the imperative for the church to join together in unity, and to follow his example and of those who also live accordingly. He exhorts them to continue on diligently in their Christian faith, because many false doctrines had already slipped into the early church (and this still continues even unto this day). Thus, the importance to remember the tenets of the faith and remain solid in the teachings of Christ and the apostles. Paul then reflects on the sadness with which he has to remind the believers in Philippi that not just a few, but many people are “enemies to the cross of Christ.” Notice the strong words Paul uses here. They are not just indifferent to the cross, but the opposition. They do not worship God but rather their stomach. This is not literal of course, as it represents that they put their carnal human desires and cravings above all else. They seek after pleasures and things that will make them feel good. Their mind is only consumed with the temporal earthly things that will fade away. Sadly, Paul explains that this will lead them ultimately to destruction. However, as Christians, our final destination and future home is heaven. Therefore, as Paul writes in another epistle, “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Col. 3:2) The good news is that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who loved us so much that He came to earth, and sacrificed Himself on the cross for our sins, so that we might spend eternity with Him. So while here we may be strangers in a foreign land, remember our true home is in paradise with the Lord.
PATRICK MCDUFF, Information Specialist Student Financial Services
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S AT U R D AY, M A R C H 1 2 Psalm 27 | Psalm 118:26–29 | Matthew 23:37–39 Our God is faithful. In times of trouble, in times of trial, in times of uncertainty, the Lord is our light, our refuge, our strength and our salvation. These comforting messages help make Psalm 27, credited to David, one of the most beloved of all the Biblical Psalms. We need not be afraid; in Him, we can rejoice. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1–2, RSV). The Psalm is a prayer. “…forsake me not, O God of my salvation!” (Psalms 27:9). The Psalm is praise. “…I will sing and make melody to the Lord” (Psalms 27:6). The Psalm is a call for patience and trust in Him. (“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord.” [Psalms 27:14]) Psalms 27 and 118 assure us that the Lord hears us when we cry. He answers and delivers us; He protects and blesses us. “Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!” (Psalms 27:7). He is our strength, our song, our salvation. (Psalms 118:14) The faithfulness of God removes our fear. “Thou art my God, and I will give thanks to Thee; thou art my God, I will extol thee. O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalms 118:28–29).
BONNIE RIECHE R T, Professor of Communications Department of Public Relations, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
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Second Sunday of Lent
S U N D AY, M A R C H 1 3
Psalm 27 | Genesis 15: 1–12, 17–18 | Philippians 3:17–4:1 | Luke 13:31–35; Luke 9:28-36 (37–43b)
Today’s readings make me consider how I respond to God’s favor. Abram believes the Lord, but asks for another sign to be sure. That wasn’t wise, but in Abram’s place I would have done the same thing. The result is as troubling as it is reassuring; God describes the tribulations (Gen. 13-16) his descendants will suffer before their eventual triumph. I imagine Abram awaking from his dream, terrified and anxious, wishing he had simply trusted in God’s initial promise! In the Transfiguration story, Peter’s role strikes me as comical. Presented with an awe-inspiring vision, he…wants to build booths? God’s command to “listen to him!” strikes me as a rebuke to my own plans, so many trivial, so few aligned with God’s will. The alternate Gospel reading is a darker extension of the same theme. Jerusalem is God’s City, but its people are not willing to live in God’s brood. Their rebellion has horrible consequences. I know that I, too, have been favored by God. But like Abram, I cannot help doubting my good fortune. Like Peter, I cannot help distracting myself with irrelevant work. Like the people of Jerusalem, I am not willing to live in God’s brood. I pray for the simplicity that Paul prescribes for the Philippians. I long to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek.
W ILLIA M HOOPER , Professor Mathematics and Computer Science Department, College of Sciences & Mathematics
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M O N D AY, M A R C H 1 4 Psalm 42:2 | Isaiah 58:7–7 | John 10:10 The stories we tell ourselves matter. Our histories make us. Today’s readings teach us how to remember our past through reflecting on the story of Israel, a story that mixes sin and righteousness, doubt and faith. The reading from Exodus occurs just after the Hebrews had worshipped a calf made of gold. God had led them out of slavery, only to find them breaking faith. Through clenched teeth, God reiterates the promise of a homeland, but tells the Hebrews they’ll enter the land alone. Moses would later plead with God to go with them, and God granted Moses’s request, choosing mercy and compassion, in the face of human failing. Contrast this with the story of Abraham, as recounted by Paul in Romans. The faith of Abraham was credited as righteousness. Paul explicitly states Abraham didn’t have to do anything to be made right with God; he was reckoned righteous before his actions of obedience. God again chooses mercy and compassion, this time as a reaction to human trust. Ultimately, though, it is the Psalmist who brings these moments together in a poetic recounting of Israel’s past. The Psalms begin with calls to action: praise, sing, seek and above all, remember. Remembering is more than simply thinking about a memory. Remembering includes the notion of recalling (re-calling), recollecting (re-collecting), literally calling and collecting the scattered parts of a past back into a wholeness experienced in the present. Israel’s past is the story of God’s mercy and compassion. Abraham believes, and God is merciful. Israel slips into idolatry, and God is merciful. Sin or righteousness, doubt or faith, God’s steadfast mercy and compassion abides. The Psalmist recalls his people’s past, and discovers protection when they were vulnerable, food when they were hungry, abundance when they were refugees, liberation when they were enslaved, water when they were thirsty. This re-calling of the past reconnects Israel with the joy and wonder of following God. Before you leave your time of devotion, take a moment to recall your own past. Begin by reflecting on God’s character: goodness, patience, love, mercy, generosity, joy, faithfulness. Then, reflect on your own life. How was God at work in your past? How does remembering divine mercy and compassion in your past—sin and righteousness, doubt and faith—bring you into wholeness today?
JAY ME Y EO, Associate Professor of English Department of English, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
· 14 ·
T U E S D AY, M A R C H 1 5 Psalm 105:1–42 | Numbers 14:10b–24 | 1 Corinthians 10:1–13 Today’s scripture passages remind us of the experiences of the Children of Israel during the Exodus. While the Exodus was, to borrow from Star Wars “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away”, there are things about it that can help us as we reflect and prepare for the coming of Easter. The psalmist calls the reader to remember God’s wonderful works on behalf of Israel, giving thanks to God and making God’s deeds known among the peoples. He then goes on to provide a detailed account of how God brought them out of the land of Egypt, including details that are no doubt both comforting and painful to the reader, but reminding them that God was with them through it all. In a similar way, as we give thanks to God and remember our own journey in the “wilderness”, we have the opportunity to be reminded again of God’s faithfulness during times of both joy and sorrow. The passage in Numbers is one of my favorite passages because it suggests that God does listen to petitions and is open to changing God’s mind. When God tells Moses that because of the peoples’ disbelief, God will smite them with pestilence, Moses points out that by smiting the people, other nations will accuse God of not being able to deliver God’s own people and reminds God of God’s loving-kindness and mercy. While God refrains from smiting the people, those who were guilty of unbelief were denied entry into the Promised Land. I think it is good for us to remember too, that while God is merciful and loving, our disobedience and unbelief can cause us to miss out on some of the blessings God has for us. Finally, in the passage in 1 Corinthians, Paul not only reinforces the idea of not following in the path of Israel’s mistakes and thereby missing out on the blessings that God has for us, but offers us some encouragement as well. He reminds us that even though we are tempted as the Israelites were, we have the assurance that God is there to help us with our temptation. In the familiar Easter refrain “Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again,” we are reminded that God is with us in sorrow and joy and that God has prepared a way for us to receive God’s blessings. Thanks be to God!
T IM STEWA RT, Director Office of Service Learning
· 15 ·
W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 1 6 Psalm 105: 1–42 | 2 Chronicles 20: 1–22 | Luke 13: 22–31 When I was growing up, my immediate family lived far from any of my extended family. Because of this, one of my core memories is regularly riding in the back of a minivan for anywhere between eight to ten hours as we trekked down the interstate on our way to an extended relative’s house. For the most part, the experience was pleasant, easy and smooth. The only time road trips ever got bad was when there was an accident on the interstate (or “Freeway” for all the California people). It is amazing how much one flat tire can affect the flow of traffic, or how quickly a three-lane highway turning into a two-lane highway can bring out the less-than-bests in people. That trip can become anything but pleasant, easy, and smooth in no time. The truth is that none of us likes these kinds of inconveniences. It takes a special set of gifts—namely patience—to keep your cool in the middle of prolonged inconvenience. I think that Jesus knew this when he was preaching in Luke’s gospel. When he encourages the people to “make every effort to enter through the narrow door,” he is warning them that they will be inconvenienced on the path to Heaven, and that his followers are going to need to orient themselves in a specific way and develop that gift of patience so that they can enter through the narrow door. In addition to patience, we are also reminded to look forward with a hope that what is on the other side of that door—much like what is on the other end of the backed-up traffic—is easy, smooth, and not just pleasant, but downright awesome! This very same patience and hope are what King Jehoshaphat embodies as he prepares the people of Judah to fight the massive army of the Moabites and the Ammonites. This very same patience and hope is what the Psalmist reminds us that the early Israelites must have had as they endured the harsh realities of slavery in Egypt. This very same patience and hope is what I pray you find in this Lenten season. I pray you remember that on the other side of all of these earthly inconveniences is a reward that is not just pleasant, but downright awesome!
JOE MA N KOWSK I , Assistant Director Fitness and Recreation, Student Life
· 16 ·
T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 1 7 Psalm 63: 1–8 | Daniel 3:19–30 | Revelation 2:8–11 In the midst of an ongoing pandemic the last year, we have been constantly reminded of the reality of our future deaths. As we reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross this Lenten season, we remember how confidently Jesus approached his crucifixion. Despite the bloody sweat that seeped from his forehead in anticipation of the sin of the world joining him on the cross, Jesus willingly gave himself up. How was Jesus so courageous? Simply put, he knew who he was and where he was going. As he told his disciples, “I am going away, and I will come back to you” (John 14:28), Jesus knew his death was not the end, but only the beginning. And as his followers, Jesus calls this same courage, as he has promised to take us with him. Through a message to the church in Smyrna in our reading in Revelation 2, Jesus calls us to not fear what we might suffer and be faithful unto death. How can we be so sure, we might ask? Jesus says we cannot be hurt by the second death: it sure sounds like we’re coming back too, with the strength of God himself behind us. Does this mean we act carelessly in the face of death or become unwise? No. But, it does mean that we can look to familiar characters of courage throughout the Bible to follow their examples. Like in Daniel 3, where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were so bold in proclaiming God to a self-righteous king, that they made the king so angry that it wasn’t just his face that got fiery hot. Or one of King David’s beaten-down moments lost in the wilderness in Psalm 63, who vows no matter the circumstance to praise God with every breath he has. What this means is we live every moment for God and for his kingdom, proclaiming it with every breath we have, no matter the consequences. We don’t fear what may befall us, because we have the confidence and courage of Christ who came before us and vows to return for us. No matter our situation, no matter our circumstance, no matter what we face, Jesus walked his path so we could join him. In the shadow of [his] wings, let us sing for joy and follow him every step of the way.
T I M S C H O E N F E L D , Assistant Professor Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Sciences & Mathematics
· 17 ·
F R I D AY, M A R C H 1 8 Psalm 63: 1–8 | Isaiah 5:1–7 | Daniel 12: 1–4 | Revelation 3: 1–6 While it is a little embarrassing to admit, I’m not easily satisfied. Maybe I even live with a low level of discontent. Perhaps it’s part of my Enneagram four make-up. This discontent can prompt me to positive change on a good day. Thomas A. Edison said, “Discontent is the first necessity of progress.” Other days I try to fill this longing with less valuable things. Habits of distraction, putting my head down to get lost in my work, less than healthy eating are among those I most frequently visit. It seems I worship satisfaction, more than the God who provides satisfaction. Adrian Rogers said, “Anything you love more, fear more, serve more or value more than God is your idol.” Maybe I fear dissatisfaction instead of letting it propel me towards a more intimate relationship with Jesus. I try to quench my dissatisfaction through my idols. I suppose this is the human condition. I’m prone to wander. The Psalmist, David, speaks of a sense of dissatisfaction, discomfort, a thirsty soul, a longing in a dry and weary land where there is no water. But the response of his heart is to seek the comfort and satisfaction of God. He declares, “ O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you.” (Psalm 63:1) “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and glory.” (vs 2) “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” (vs 3)…”my soul will be satisfied.” (vs 5). “On my bed I remember you: I think of you through the watches of the night.” (vs 6) “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (vs 8) David transforms his discomfort and dissatisfaction into a longing for God. His confidence is in the steadfast, deep, sustaining love of God, because he seems to know it is better than life itself. Amazingly, David wrote those words while in the desert of Judah. He knew desperate physical need; he was in a barren wilderness, lacking water, food, safety. He knew the emotional distress of abandonment and rejection which propelled him into the wilderness. He knew spiritual longing. But he directed his heart to worship God, the source of his satisfaction. God, please help me to recognize my sense of dissatisfaction and discontent and let it propel me to be fully present with you and worship you.
S U E CURFMAN, Associate Professor School of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences
· 18 ·
S AT U R D AY, M A R C H 1 9 Psalm 63: 1–8 | Luke 6:43–45 Psalm 63:1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land Thirst is painful. I recently had a stomach virus that required an emergency room visit. I was dehydrated; my mouth was dry, my thoughts were scrambled, I couldn’t keep even a swallow of water down. I couldn’t do much of anything besides lay down. Thirst is such an awful feeling because it’s more than a want—it’s the feeling of missing something that is core to your body’s existence. Our bodies need water to live. But our souls need sustenance too, and when we don’t take the time to cultivate our soul’s needs, we run the risk of getting spiritually dehydrated. In Psalm 63, David is in the wilderness of Judah, being hunted by King Saul. The desert was dry, and David was in peril. He thirsted, both literally and spiritually, for God’s love. When we thirst for God, it’s because we don’t have enough of Him in our lives. When we feel despair or despondency, it’s because we’re missing that which we need to survive and thrive. This Lenten season, find ways to ease your soul’s pain by quenching its thirst. God’s love is an essential part of your soul, just like how water is an essential part of your body. I remember how I felt when the IV rehydrated me. I felt like my limbs could loosen and relax, like leaves in the sun after a rainstorm. When I take the time to think about God’s love and forgiveness, to nourish myself with prayer, I feel myself relaxing in the same way. When my soul is soothed with God’s love, I am able to do more and give back. A plant, after all, can only bear fruit if it is adequately watered. Prayer and spiritual self-care is of utmost importance, as taking time to hydrate yourself spiritually allows you to be an active agent of hope, spreading God’s love. Luke 6:43 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
NICOLE FOX , Research and Instruction Library Lila D. Bunch Library
· 19 ·
S U N D AY, M A R C H 2 0 Psalm 63: 1–8 | Isaiah 55:1–9 | 1 Corinthians 10: 1–13 | Luke 13: 1–9
Third Sunday of Lent
Several years ago, I was trained in a method called “Children’s Worship and Wonder,” a way of telling Bible stories to very young children. When we told parables, we used a gold box with a lid on it to introduce the parable: Gold because the words of the parable are precious, and a box with a lid because parables require us to open up the story, and look in deeper. Rather than saying “this is what this means,” we would read the Scripture and invite children to engage in wondering what the words meant for the original audience and what it meant for them. All the passages today have meaning for us here as we approach the midpoint of Lent. We have Isaiah’s reminders that there are things we don’t understand, even as we desire them. We have the Psalmist’s thirsting for God, and the acknowledgement of being held closely and protected by God. We have Paul’s pronouncement that we will not be tested beyond what we can bear, and encouragement to remember God’s faithfulness. And then we have the parable. I think young children might approach this parable with wondering why the vineyard owner was angry at the tree (“Can the tree help that it didn’t grow?”), and they might also wonder why the gardener didn’t just get rid of the tree like his boss asked him to do in the first place. They might wonder why the gardener cared so much, and they would certainly wonder why manure would be in the equation for growth. So, here we are at almost the midpoint of Lent. But, halfway through Lent is…only halfway there. This is where I struggle. My intensity has often diminished about whatever it is I have decided to give up or add in, and I struggle with focus. And I think to myself: it is okay if I falter or even give it up for the year, because God has grace for that. (There is grace for that.) Even so, I am going to try this year to remember the sense of wonder, and mystery and the value of digging deeper into the story. How will I seek the Lord? How will I sing in the shadow of his wings? How can I remember God’s daily faithfulness in my life? What is it that I need in order to grow?
SABRIN A SULLE N BER G ER , Professor Department of Social Work, College of Health Sciences
· 20 ·
M O N D AY, M A R C H 2 1 Psalm 39 | Jeremiah 11:1–17 | Romans 2:1–11 God is a just God who rules and judges righteously. Scripture tells us God’s throne is established on righteousness, and every person to exist will experience this righteous judgment. This is the judgment heard from the Psalm. “Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand”. God’s judgment is a muzzle, fire, a humbling rebuke. It comes on those who return to the sin of their ancestors like in Jeremiah. It comes from breaking the covenant of law. The terms were weighty, the cost was death. We cannot truly understand the celebration of the resurrection if we do not reflect on what the resurrection saved us from. What is an almsgiving, a fast, a prayer; compared to the sacrifice of Christ. If it had not been for Jesus we would be nothing but a breath in the wind like described in the Psalm. What more could we have been but a speck of dust in the earth. Not just this lent season, but for the duration of our walk with Christ; may the Holy Spirit lead us in our reflection of the covenant. Listen to these terms of the new covenant, with a repentant heart and acceptance of the truth you receive eternal salvation. Salvation from sin and God’s wrath. God is forever righteous, faithful and a God of his word. We may have broken a covenant with God, but God has never broken a covenant with us. Instead, God made a way for us through Christ Jesus. God will indeed repay each person according to what they have done, but if that person is found in Christ Jesus they are seen blameless, spotless. Romans 2:11 “For God does not show favoritism”, but he unleashes favor. Favor that comes through the name of Jesus. Today we repent, with a humble heart. Today we sincerely meditate on the price Jesus paid. His mercy renews every morning because we fall in need for mercy everyday. May we show our reverence to this truth of God’s righteousness in spite of our unfaithfulness as we sacrifice a small portion of ourselves in this season.
H OP E DENNIS, Class of 2023 Faith and Social Justice Major, College of Theology & Christian Ministry
· 21 ·
T U E S D AY, M A R C H 2 2 Psalm 39 | Ezekiel 17: 1–10 | Romans 2:12–16 Breathe in 1…2…3. Breathe out 4…3…2…1. Diving into the Ezekiel scriptures, we remember that God selects us and provides for us everything we could possibly need. He gives us fertile soil and plenty of water to grow and flourish like the vine. Unfortunately, it is in our nature to look for other means of nourishment even when all it is doing is providing entertainment by flying around. The world shows us all different ways to come to spirituality through horoscopes, rocks, or tarot cards. Christians must remind themselves that their growth comes from the Lord and not look for things outside of Him. In my own life, I am bombarded with many things that pull me away from God. I use my support system to remind me of my foundation when my vine is stretching out to another eagle. Who do you call when your faith is wavering? Who calls you when their faith is wavering? Besides our human nature getting in our way, God has already written on our hearts the rules of the law. Do you remember how the eagle selected the specific branch to lay on the fertile ground? God prepared us by writing the law on our hearts! In Romans 2:12–16, we are told that we need only to obey the law to be declared righteous. God paved the road 100s of steps before you even knew you were His. Sit in that knowledge: I belong to God and he has prepared my way the BEST WAY. This also means God is allowed to judge you just as a professor can on an exam they have created. Follow the path God has made for you. How can you be a doer of the law? What secrets do you need to repent of before God’s judgment?
L AUREN SHEP PA R D, Patrol Officer Belmont Campus Security
· 22 ·
W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 2 3 Psalm 39 | Numbers 13:17–27 | Luke 13:18–21 The story of the spies in Numbers is fascinating. There is a group of people who have been promised by God that they will live the good life in the Promised Land, and some were sent to scout out the area. It’s almost as if Moses needs the confirmation that the life and land God is promising is, in fact, good. That it is worth their incredibly long and exhausting journey. We can be the same way. We need to know that the life that God has for us is good, and that the fruit in the place where God is leading us is plentiful. It’s almost like we need tangible reminders of what it will look like when God follows through on His promises. As frustrating as it is in our restless, human condition, we can’t skip to the end. Thankfully, God is so full of kindness that He gives us tastes of His goodness along the journey just like He did with the Israelites. But, in Luke 13, Jesus gives a visual of what faith and trust in Him look like. It looks like a tiny seed that grows into a tree, or a small grain of yeast that helps dough become bountiful bread. It starts small but knows with the right watering and kneading, it will grow into a good thing; the thing that it was made to become. So what does faith look like for us in times when we are journeying towards the life that God promises us? It looks like the end of Psalm 39. David writes what most of experience in waiting: that God would hear us when we cry out to Him and to act. In the waiting and frustrating parts of life, we can have confidence that God will hear us, He will turn to us and see us, and He will act to come through on the good life that He promises. So today, you might need to cry out to God about something. Or maybe you just need to see a tangible reminder of His goodness. Or you could need Him to act and do something about where you are on your journey. Whatever it is, start with the words “hear my prayer, Lord.”
RYA N NEISES, Coordinator of Academic Services and Sports Ministry Belmont Athletics
· 23 ·
T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 2 4 Psalm 32 | Joshua 4:1–13 | 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:5 We all make promises. I have made many promises I believed I would follow through on but later the circumstances of my life and my own limitations proved too much for me to handle. Sometimes I think I make my promises because I genuinely want to do kind things for others, and sometimes I make promises because I don’t want to disappoint them. Eventually though, we all come to a point where we do not keep promises. God does not make this mistake. In fact, He cannot make this mistake. He does not make promises idly but with full assurance they will occur. In total, there are over 7,000 promises God makes to man in the Bible. Time and time again, God proves Himself faithful to his children by fulfilling His promises even when we have been unfaithful, with each pointing to His ultimate promise: Jesus Christ sent to die on the cross to make a way home for us. In the desert, God instructs the Israelites to build a memorial to the promises He has already fulfilled as they are going to fight to give them assurance in the battle. In Psalms, David sings to the Lord about who He is, not only to praise God, but to remind himself of God’s promises of faithfulness. Further, Paul encourages the Corinthians that our earthly groans and strains are nothing compared to the promise of God’s glory. In times of trouble, God reminds us in scripture that the things of this world are temporary and He has already been faithful and will continue to be faithful. If we come to him with repentant and humble hearts, He will be with us. Not through our work but through His love in us found in Christ. During Lent, millions of Christians around the world seek to focus more deeply on Christ and abide in God. Today I want to challenge you to use your time to consider how God has used His promises and His reminders to point you back to Jesus. As the Israelites needed a memorial to remember where they came from before going into battle, as David needed repentance before God to remember His unfailing love, and as the Corinthians needed Paul reminding them that our promises are found in Heaven and not in earthly things, we all need and will receive reminders that our Almighty God is a faithful father who always fulfills His promises.
K EATON SMITH, Assistant Director of Leadership Development Division of Student Life
· 24 ·
F R I D AY, M A R C H 2 5 Psalm 32 | Joshua 4:14–24 | 2 Corinthians 5:6–15 “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 The Lenten season inspires and ignites a renewed sense of purpose in us as followers of Christ. Purpose has been a new area of focus for our campus during the past year, and as such, it is no surprise that today’s scriptures brought this theme to mind. In my role as a librarian, I am privileged to join others in exploring their passions and research questions. I often get caught up, diving deep into the research we discover, and finding myself continuing to search and read even after the patron is satisfied. After especially intriguing inquiries I sometimes find myself wondering “What if I made researching this topic my new purpose? Should I do this for life?” You can imagine the rabbit holes that I follow while advising undeclared students. The possibilities are endless for them, and perhaps for me, as we weigh the many fascinating careers and majors they are considering. The frequent occurrence of these fantasies only serves to confirm that no, I probably should not pursue any of them, but rather that I am in the exact right role. I get to explore, be inspired, learn and help others do the same each day, and this gives me purpose. Our purpose as Christians is not nearly as muddled as other parts of life can sometimes be. The Joshua passage from today’s scriptures tells of the crossing over the Jordan River, the second miraculous parting of waters in the Old Testament. The people of Israel, who had been wandering in the desert, crossed into the Promised Land. When the people of Israel made it across the Jordan, the water crashed back down into the river basin and twelve stones were stacked to mark this miracle and remind future generations of God’s power and faithfulness. The people were no longer wandering; they were filled with purpose and hope. During Lent we celebrate the forgiveness, joy and purpose that comes with the resurrection we anticipate. Once we have crossed the river, been spared from the waters, we are compelled to live for the one who died for us. I pray that this season brings rest to your weary bones, restores your strength and that your purpose is renewed as you celebrate the reconciliation that has already come. “Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.” Psalm 32:6
CLAIRE WILEY, Research and Instruction Librarian Lila D. Bunch Library
· 25 ·
S AT U R D AY, M A R C H 2 6 Psalm 32 | Exodus 32:7–14 | Luke 15:1–10 Come, Rejoice with Me! Luke tells us that Jesus spent a lot of time with people who were lost. Some of them knew it, others didn’t. Some of them wondered about it, so they came to Jesus under cover of darkness to ask him “How can I be born again?” Others asked him things like: “What must I do to be saved?” or “How can I inherit eternal life?” Or “Lord, teach us how to pray.” Yet many of the people Jesus encountered didn’t even realize they were lost. The conversation in our scripture passage for today is between Jesus and some of those kinds of folks—the scribes and the Pharisees—the religious leaders of 1st century Palestine. They are lost, but don’t even know it. They were angry because Jesus both welcomes sinners and has the audacity to eat with them. To help the scribes and Pharisees understand why, Jesus tells them three parables, about a lost sheep, a lost coin and two lost sons. Which of you having 100 sheep and losing one of them does not leave the other 99 and go out into the desert, over the cliffs, in the heat of the day and the cold of the night, in search of that one sheep that is lost? And which of you, having 10 coins but losing one, will light the lamps, sweep the house, look high and low, checking under every nook and cranny to find that one lost coin? Who would do that? The answer is—none of us. None of us would risk losing 99 sheep just to regain one—none of us would take the time or make the effort to look endlessly for one lost coin. None of us would do that…but God would. These stories are about God, not so much about us. They give us a brief glimpse into the heart and mind of the one Jesus called “Father,” actually, “Daddy.” Jesus tells the Pharisees when one sinner repents, God rejoices so exuberantly, so freely, that heaven itself joins in a song of praise. “Come, rejoice with me, for this one who was lost, now is found.” That’s what God says. God’s love is wide and deep enough to embrace all—those who know they are lost and admit they need help—and those who are too stubborn or too blind to see their own need. This is why God’s grace is amazing—because it reaches out to all of us—no matter how sinful, stubborn or blind we are. The Gospel of Luke has been called the gospel of Mercy and the gospel of Joy. These parables are certainly evidence that God’s mercy—of the searching heart of God that is actively at work. It is this mercy—this amazing grace—that gives us reason to rejoice—even during this season of Lent. May we embody this amazing grace in all that we are and all that we do during this Holy Season.
S U SAN P EN DLETON J ON ES, Senior Fellow Office of the President
· 26 ·
S U N D AY, M A R C H 2 7 Psalm 32 | Joshua 5:9–12 | 2 Corinthians 5:16–21 | Luke 15:1–3; 11b–32
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Our Gospel reading for today is the very familiar Parable of the Prodigal Son. There are many interesting approaches to this parable, and I am going to look at it by focusing on food. Luke 15 begins and ends with discussions about food, about meals, about who gets to be part of the feast. The Pharisees and scribes are grumbling about who Jesus invites to his table. Jesus not only welcomes sinners, but he eats with them. He treats them as friends, as family, as people who are not outcast but are brought inside to sit around a table and share a meal with him. The first two parables in this chapter are about finding the lost, but not about food or meals. The shepherd finds the lost sheep, the woman finds the lost coin and we see a parallel with God welcoming those whom the Pharisees disdain. There is even a reference in each of those parables to God’s joy over one sinner who repents. But the third and longer parable is not only about the son who is lost. It also brings in hunger and food and rejoicing through a great feast. The son squanders his inheritance and is so poor he works taking care of pigs. He wishes he could eat the food that pigs eat. In this parable, the son is doing something shocking to the Pharisees and scribes—he is working with unclean animals, presumably owned by someone who is not Jewish. In a sense, Jesus is saying to the Pharisees and scribes, “Look, you think I eat with people who are religiously unclean? Let me tell you a story about a REALLY unclean man, and let me tell you about a much bigger, grander meal that was provided for him when he repented.” Imagine these Pharisees and scribes, listening to this story and becoming upset and angry. Perhaps they think they are righteously angry, standing for the food laws and cleanliness laws that God had given to them to protect. Jesus doesn’t stop here, however. Seeing their anger, hearing their grumbling, Jesus tells the story of the older son. In this story, the older brother is furious because the sinful younger brother is celebrated with a huge feast. Jesus is, in effect, saying to these Pharisees and scribes, “I know you are angry not only because of God’s purity laws but also because you feel like this is unfair. What is truly fair is to rejoice whenever a lost brother or sister has been found. What is truly fair is to welcome the Prodigal Son to the feast.”
ANN COBLE, Instructor College of Theology & Christian Ministry
· 27 ·
M O N D AY, M A R C H 2 8 Psalm 53 | Leviticus 23:26–41 | Revelation 19:1–8 The text from Revelation describes one of my favorite pictures of heaven—a wedding. I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and I’ve played almost every part that you can play—groom, groomsmen, best man, participant, friend, officiant, videographer, DJ, you name it. In most cultures, weddings are a celebration beyond the typical every day. Money, energy, time and planning go into this celebration so that it stands out as a significant moment in the lives of everyone involved. So when people wonder what the New Heaven and New Earth will be like, I love to offer up the picture of the best wedding you’ve ever been to, multiplied by a thousand. The best food, drink, dancing and celebrating that you can imagine is the picture that the writer of Revelation paints for what it will be like when all things are restored. Of course, all of our metaphors will fall short, but this beautiful occasion of two coming together in a marriage celebration gives us a great taste of the celebration. The anticipation is shared by all involved as eager waiting transforms into fulfillment. I think this adoration and love of Christ is most clearly seen in his prayer for you and for me in John 17, when he prays: “As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us…I in them and you in me.” Jesus earnestly prays that we would be united and experience the depth of love that He shares with the Father and Spirit. So as the great multitude shouts in Revelation 19: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!”
L A RKIN BRILEY, Transformational Project Strategist Office of the President
· 28 ·
T U E S D AY, M A R C H 2 9 Psalm 53 | Leviticus 25:1–19 | Revelation 19:9–10 During the season of Lent, we have the opportunity to reflect more deeply on the notion of restoration. If you are into classic automobiles, you understand that the process of restoration is intended to return something to its original, created state. Car enthusiasts often speak of the satisfaction of finding a classic that has succumbed to the harshness of time and the elements, only to return to the shiny usefulness of its former self. They will also testify that restoration is an ongoing work. It requires intention, commitment, and investment. As we read Leviticus 25, we see that God is about the work of restoration. In addition, we see God giving the Israelites a framework to think about this process and the opportunity to become participants in its ongoing work. The text calls this Jubilee! Every 50 years during Jubilee, all debts were cancelled, indentured servants were freed, and land was returned to its original owner. In addition, this was a year of rest. There was no harvest, and the land was given a season to recover. Jubilee was meant to calibrate 50 years of compounded injustice, overwork, and inequality. It was an intentional reset to disrupt the systems of calamity and injustice that were often passed down from generation to generation. It restored the perception of ownership and interrupted generational poverty. The people no longer had to feel the effects of poverty caused by their grandfather’s bad harvest season, the inability of their mother to earn after the death of their father, or the injustice of slavery. It was a chance for the people to begin anew without having to bear the burden of their distant ancestors. In many ways their lives were restored to their original state. The Lenten season is a chance for us to once again consider the restoration process that accompanies the cross and resurrection of Jesus. It is also a way for us to reflect on the ways we can participate in this ongoing work in our own lives. The cross reminds us that we not only benefit from God’s restorative work through the person of Jesus but are called into that work as well. We are called to be restorers, to seek equity and balance, and to live with intentional commitment to God’s restorative work in the world. We are reminded that through God’s work, all people have the chance to begin anew. And only then, as the text reminds us, the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety (Lev 25:19).
CHRISTY RIDINGS, Associate University Minister University Ministries
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W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 3 0 Psalm 53 | 2 Kings 4:1–7 | Luke 9:10–17 For us humans, trying to figure out how to make something out of nothing is a pretty hard concept to grasp. Even the idea of making something out of very little would have our minds reeling, our brains short-circuiting, and our imagination and creativity run dry as a desert. Think back right now to a time where you had to make something out of nothing or at best, very little. Was it a small apartment for a family of 4? Was it stretching out cooked noodles for a couple meals? Was it driving with that needle teetering around “E” for miles? How did you feel in these situations and how did you handle them? In Luke 9:10–17 we are reminded of the story when Jesus feeds the 5,000. Now in Jesus’ time, 5,000 would have been most likely counted as men and leave out the count of women and children that also came to see Christ. After the crowd gathered, Jesus said to his disciples, “You give them something to eat.” When they saw that they only had five loaves of bread, two fish and nowhere near enough money to buy food for all the people, they were puzzled. How were mere men going to feed 5,000+ people with so little? The story continues that Jesus was able to multiply everything to be able to feed all the guests and have 12 baskets of leftovers. Did you notice anything special here? Jesus could have just “poofed” food out of the air to feed everyone, but that is not what He did. He told his disciples, “YOU give them something to eat.” When they found out they were unable to by their own power, they had no choice but to put their COMPLETE trust and faith in Christ to feed all these people. We may not be able to do something with nothing or very little, but if we put our trust and confidence in Christ, just like the 5,000, He will be able to multiply in our lives as well. When we seem to have nothing we need to give it up to Christ to be able to take care of it for us. I know there have been times and will be times where Christ will ask much of us, and some of those times we will feel unequipped and unprepared to fulfill His purpose. Jesus has the amazing power to make much out of what seems to be little or nothing.
JENNINGS GARD N ER , Customer Service Manager The Belmont Store
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T H U R S D AY, M A R C H 3 1 Psalm 126 | Isaiah 43:1–7 | Philippians 2:19–24 Living a Christ-centered life is not always as simple or attractive as it is portrayed. It can be downright filthy and painful at times, as the curse of sin and death arises and causes a slew of problems for us and those we love. Jesus never promised that life would be easy, but he did promise that if we trust in him and walk in his ways, we would ultimately prevail. That is not to say that serving the living God is without joy. But, as with all things, there is good and bad, and you can’t have one without the other. We look to Jesus, as we always do, for the ultimate fulfillment of this psalm. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,” says Hebrews 12:2, “who endured the cross, scorning its shame, for the joy set before him.” Jesus understands the anguish and sorrow we experience in this life. Throughout his life on Earth, he shed many tears. Jesus wept on the cross while carrying seed to sow, and he rose from the dead singing resurrection songs of joy while carrying sheaves of believers with him. You are a part of his glorious harvest if you are a believer today. So Psalm 126 is a psalm of trouble, but it’s a twisted psalm of trouble. It’s a psalm that gives you hope when you’re in the midst of adversity. It teaches us that times of adversity and sorrow do not last. God will transform your grief into joy and your tears into laughter. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And one day, we will leave all of this world’s sorrows behind in exchange for the eternal joys that await us in heaven. There is a season for sowing and a season for reaping. Maybe you’re in the midst of a sowing season right now. Take comfort. Your time will come to reap. The harvest is near. This is God’s promise to you. Your tears will be turned into joy by God.
DJ CA RR, Class of 2022 Worship Leadership Major, College of Theology & Christian Ministry
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F R I D AY, A P R I L 1 Psalm 126 | Isaiah 43:8–15 | Philippians 2:25–3:1 We are most of the way through Lent and we can see Holy Week just ahead of us, peeking up through the early spring flowers. Our pace quickens as familiar springtime rhythms call us outside and we know, we just know, the life of spring beckons. We are beginning to remember once again, as these Lenten days fall behind us and Holy Week glimmers just beyond our reach, of the dreamlike ways the Lord restores our fortunes, how “our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy” (Psalm 126:1-2). After all we have been through, our God can come through again. There’s a kind of foolishness here in our thinking on this day for fools as we cling to the belief that our God has something for us. Even as the prophet Isaiah taunted the nations of old to show their gods could change the world, he declares the words of the living God, “You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he” (Isaiah: 43:10). “Know,” God says, “that I am he, your Holy One” (Isaiah: 43:15). We lean into this foolishness of a belief still slogging through the waning days of Lent that this God will be there for us in the end and that he has something amazing to show us, to revive us, to renew us. We find this in Scripture, you see, and it gives us hope for these Lenten days. Paul wrote to his friends in Philippi and said, “I’m sending you Epaphroditus even though he almost died.” We do not know the nature of the illness, but Paul writes that he is eager to send him to the Philippians so they can rejoice in seeing him, knowing God had mercy on him (Philippians 2:25–27). This is the nature of our foolish Lenten journey. It is a lonesome and challenging walk at times, but we have confidence we walk toward something. We have memory of what God has done before in the lives of those we have known and we believe God will act again. We know God is the Holy One and he waits ahead of us. There in that glimmer gathering ahead of us, God calls us into the presence of the One who makes all things new. We walk foolishly toward it.
DA RRELL GWA LT N EY, Dean and H. Franklin Paschall Chair of Biblical Studies and Preaching College of Theology & Christian Ministry
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S AT U R D AY, A P R I L 2 Psalm 123 | Exodus 12:21–27 | John 11:45–57 Sometimes, we feel as though the entire world is against us. The work seems to be piling on endlessly, the ends of our favorite pair of pants are fraying, and some of the people in our lives are not as they seem. As life starts to beat down on us, we often start to have doubt fester in our hearts and minds. Why would the Lord let these hardships happen to us? If he loves us, then why do our knees buckle under the pressure? When we begin to feel this way, we must remember that the Lord gives us hardships to help us appreciate the good in life. He doesn’t want us to suffer. He wants us to look back and be grateful for what we have. When he gives us a reason to doubt, he gives us ten times more reasons to smile. Psalm 126: 5–6 reads, “Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy. Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seeds, will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves,” signifying how the Lord knows that life requires balance, layering the good with the bad. We are so obsessed with the pursuit of happiness, that we tend to forget that the goal in life is to be content. While he teaches us that life has the lowest lows, the highest highs, and all those in between, he protects us when it matters most. In Exodus 12:21–27, the Bible shares how Moses gives instructions to the Israelites on how to protect themselves when the Lord goes to strike down the Egyptians. When life gets a little too hard, he will always come to give us some grace and instruct us how to stay safe. I hope that in this Lenten season, we learn to be a little bit more grateful for the good things in life by looking for the simple joys in life, recognizing small gestures of love, and appreciating warm acts of kindness.
L ILIE MA I, Human Resources Coordinator Human Resources
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S U N D AY, A P R I L 3 Isaiah 43:16–21 | Psalm 126 | Philippians 3:4b–14 | John 12:1–8
Fifth Sunday of Lent
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…” The trauma of the last two years is ever present. Loss, sickness and trauma are made even more difficult because of the need for working from home and social distancing—the devastating March 2 tornado, being displaced from our home; a crushed kneecap, followed by two surgeries and months of rehabilitation; the passing of my father to cancer and my mother to COVID-19; and the ongoing personal and professional challenges of a global pandemic. And yet, these adversities have been juxtaposed against feelings of joy: reconnecting with friends and family at our daughter’s wedding in September, as well as feelings of delight when our family came together in Norway to celebrate the holidays with our two Norwegian-American granddaughters. A new year is the promise of better days ahead. The tornado damage has been repaired. My knee now works as it should. The wedding was fabulous. And Christmas was a celebration extraordinaire. We will soon honor my parents and dedicate a learning center in their memory. And yet, I am caught between forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. As I write this, it’s the First Sunday after the Epiphany, and in my Episcopal tradition we read from Isaiah 43, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. This afternoon, I Zoomed with my siblings, a practice established during the pandemic. Halfway through the time, my niece entered the frame with my sister; it is Amy’s 32nd birthday. Her smile is as bright and infectious as always, but her body is ravaged by the cruelty of cancer, thinner than she was the last time I saw her. I know that her time is limited, hospice will arrive tomorrow. How do we endure these difficult times? The only answer I have is faith. Only by faith can I hold in tension my competing emotions—the sorrow and pain of 2020, the joy and celebration of 2021, together with the present reality that my family will soon gather to grieve the passing of my precious niece. Faith enables me to pray with a posture of acceptance, no matter what. Faith provides me grace to wrestle with anger because of COVID, while relaxing in the calm of knowing that COVID will not last forever. Faith gives me strength to welcome a new day, even while struggling with yesterday’s pain. And as you read today, it’s the Fifth Sunday in Lent, and we pray, Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found.
WAY NE BA RN A R D, Lecturer Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Sciences & Mathematics · 34 ·
M O N D AY, A P R I L 4 Psalm 20 | Exodus 40:1–15 | Hebrews 10:19–25 How do you define your covenant with God? What would be written in your agreement? Would it include the Ten Commandments, as in the Covenant the Israelites had with God in the Old Testament? Or would your covenant include more personal promises that only your heart can define? The three scriptures for this day provided me with inspiration for this thought process and I hope they resonate with you as well. Through this research, I found myself thinking more about refining my own Covenant with God. We are all used to contracts. Contracts to get paid for services, contracts for work on our houses, contracts for utilities. We rely on them for security so that if something goes wrong, we have some kind of document to receive what we are owed. What would such a contract with God provide and what would we receive in return? From Exodus to Hebrews, we see a covenant that changes in meaning. In Exodus, we see the Covenant between God and the Israelites, where God tells them he will protect and bless them if they follow him and obey his Commandments. As the Israelites followed Moses, we see the construction of the Holy Tabernacle, which God asked Moses to build for a worship place that could be transported through the wilderness. In this sacred place, all specifications were precise and in order. Certain rules were maintained to keep it holy and pure. This sacred place helped the people establish a stronger connection with God. In the New Testament we discover a New Covenant with God, where we are made right with Him by our faith in Jesus Christ. In Hebrews chapter 10:19, we are reminded “we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the Holy of Holies (by the power and virtue) in the blood of Jesus”. A personal covenant with God can assure us that the Lord will provide security and peace in days of trouble. As with the Tabernacle, we can establish our covenant with God through a holy space in our hearts and minds. We can go through our days with this Covenant as our guide. And as Psalm 20:4 states, “May he grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.”
SAN DRA DUDLEY, Assistant Professor School of Music, College of Music & Performing Arts
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T U E S D AY, A P R I L 5 Psalm 20 | Judges 9:7–15 | 1 John 2:18–28 The question of “who do you trust” has been a recurrence throughout human history. From Satan’s first “Did God really say…” in Genesis 3, through our modern times, we have yearned to know in what and in whom we can place our trust. There are many competitors for this trust. Culture, science, religious belief systems, politics, relationships—the list of viable options is seemingly endless. It was no different for the Biblical authors. The central theme of Jotham’s parable of the trees is a question of trust in leadership—in whom should the nation of Israel place their trust? Was the transition of power to Abimelech trustworthy, or was there more that needed to be considered? A primary purpose of John’s first epistle is reassuring his readers that the gospel they received was true and trustworthy. Amidst the clatter and noise of false teachers, John states confidently that believers in Jesus Christ can rely on His promise of eternal life. He then exhorts his readers to continue abiding in Christ for even more assurance of this most precious gift. The Psalmist states it most succinctly—“Some trust in chariots, and some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” This simple, bold declaration provided a rallying cry during difficult times, and continues to resonate with us today. The strongest, most convincing validation for trust, however, is Jesus Christ himself. The incarnated Lord stepped into our world and pitched his tent among us. His death on the cross provided the atoning sacrifice for our sins. And His glorious resurrection secured our position with Him for all eternity. As the hymnist writes: I will trust Thee, loving Savior, For salvation all the time; And I’m joyful in Thy favor, Thy eternal glory mine. I will trust Thee, mighty Jesus, And my soul can never fall; Oh, I’m hid in God’s pavilion, Trusting Him, my all in all. “I Will Trust Thee”, Daniel S. Warner (1885)
JEREMY LA N E, Director of the School of Music College of Music & Performing Arts
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W E D N E S D AY, A P R I L 6 Psalm 20 | Habakkuk 3:2–15 | Luke 18:31–34 As Mr. Darcy says in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, regarding his love for Elizabeth Bennet, “I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” Sometimes this is how I feel, finding myself caught up in pining over all the clothes I can’t buy on Pinterest, comparing my talents to everyone who crosses my Instagram feed and distracting my heart from emotions I need to address by swiping through TikTok. One day I think I have a grip on a healthy balance of social media, and the next week I find myself wondering where my sense of identity and joy went. Maybe you, too, find yourself caught in the middle of a social media routine that drains your joy. Or maybe you’re caught up in other temporary things that promise a sense of worth, happiness and validation, but ultimately leave you feeling less whole than before. Psalm 20:6–8 offers some light into our dilemma, saying, “Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright.” This Psalm is reminding us not to place our trust in things like chariots and horses that seem like they are strong enough to carry us into battle, but ultimately will fail because they are only of the earth. Instead, God offers his rescue and strength to us. He will answer our cry for help. God wants to come to our rescue. If you find that you have been holding on to chariots and horses, set aside distractions for a moment to ask God for a rescue. I encourage you to call on the Lord to remind you who you are. Ask him to remind you of who you are outside of responsibilities, hobbies and your profile picture. Let him show you just how much he wants to fight for you
JOSIE EDWA RDS, Class of 2023 Songwriting and Communication Studies Major
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T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 7 Psalm 31:9–16 | Isaiah 53:10–12 | Hebrews 2:1–9 “He willingly gave his life. He was treated like a criminal.” (Isaiah 53:12, ICB) On that fateful Friday, a newspaper might have reported a story along these lines: Calvary. The convicted criminal known as Jesus was executed today. It was the Jewish community who first alerted authorities to his crimes against the state. In anticipation of resistance from him and his gang of followers, an armed SWAT team had been dispatched to pursue and arrest him. The use of force was justified, as one of His followers brandished a weapon and used it on the police before Jesus was taken into custody. He was tried and convicted as guilty, sentenced for capital crimes against the State, earning him the death penalty. When the religious community was given one last opportunity to support his release in exchange for one of the other notorious criminals, the crowd was clear in its resolve that under no circumstances should Jesus be released, demanding that he be executed for His criminal activity. It can be easy to believe the news stories we hear or films we watch that tell us repeatedly that only guilty people are convicted of crimes, only “bad” seeds are incarcerated or shot by police, that certain types and races of people commit crimes, that those people should get what is coming to them, that you can trust the courts and systems that treat them as criminal, that people deserve their arrest records, that criminal records belong only to criminals. Jesus willingly died the death of a criminal, knowing He was innocent. Not everyone branded a criminal has such innocence, but Christ’s life and messaging remind us that being treated as a criminal does not mean that you are. We can look retrospectively at his arrest and treatment and see a clear miscarriage of justice. Yet such miscarriages of justice are both commonplace and systemic in the United States. As Christ followers, we have been called to see what unspiritual human eyes and hearts may miss, or what may be misconstrued and misunderstood. Christ suffered, bled and died as a criminal for criminals and the criminalized. Too.
CHERY L SLAY C A R R , Associate Dean Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business
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F R I D AY A P R I L 8 Psalm 31:9–16 | Isaiah 54:9–10 | Hebrews 2:10–18 “…He made us his brothers and sisters and became our merciful and faithful High-Priest before God; as the One who removed our sins to make us one with him. He suffered and endured every test and temptation, so that he can help us every time we pass through the ordeals of life…” Remember. Remember who you are and whose you are. Because in a world that’s filled with overwhelming distraction and noise, it’s easy to forget our true identity—a son or a daughter of the Most High. It’s when we forget our true identity where we start to identify with the ways of this world and lose sight of the goodness of God. When we lose sight of the nature and faithfulness of God, that’s when we start to buy into the lies of the accuser that say we’re not good enough, that we don’t measure up and that God shouldn’t love you because of your past mistakes. But here’s the truth…God loves us so much that He sent his one and only son, born of flesh and blood, to become human so that he could fully identify with us. God loves us so much to the point that He wanted to FULLY IDENTIFY WITH US. Even in all of our shortcomings and mistakes, God still wanted to fully identify with us. That’s how much He loves us. Because of the blood of Jesus, we can embrace God. Because of the blood, we can have the confidence to cry out, “Abba, Father…Papa, God.” and receive forgiveness. The blood of Jesus tears down every wall of division that is created by sin and shame. You see, God wasn’t sad about His one and only son coming to earth and experiencing death. God knew that through His son’s death, He was about to gain a million more “copies” of his son (that’s me and you.) We are made in the image of Jesus which means that when God looks at us, He sees his son. He doesn’t see your sin. It’s been forgiven. Cling to this truth when the lies start to move in. Because of the blood of Jesus, God no longer remembers your sin. You don’t have to live another day in the shadow of your past. Instead, live in the shadow of the cross. Freedom is yours.
G AIL MA RTIN, Admissions Coordinator Colleges of Sciences & Mathematics
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S AT U R D AY, A P R I L 9 Psalm 31:9–16 | Leviticus 23:1–8 | Luke 22:1–13 In the circumstances of life, high and low, good and bad, we have one constant: God. No matter the trials we face, the victories we experience, or the hardship we endure, God is the only unfailing, fully trustworthy, all-loving source. Only God can fully provide and satisfy. Only God knows the why behind His plans for your life. There is freedom and peace in this. Sometimes we feel like God has forgotten us; whether it is in the situation we are facing, in the things we do not have that we think we need, or in the sense of purpose in our life we cannot seem to uncover. The truth is this: we were created on purpose, for a purpose, and even in seasons of heartache, despair or drought, God is working through us for that purpose. How would your life look different if you lived like you believe that? We are living in the world, but we are not of it. We have a citizenship of heaven. How would your life look different if you lived like you believe that? God’s unfailing mercy and love is ever presently shining upon us, even in our darkest and most trying hours. How would your life look different if you lived like you believe that? Busyness consumes our culture, yet rest is holy. Rest is needed. Rest is Biblical. We are human beings not human doings; how would your life look different if you lived like you believe that? Temptations will arise and sin is unceasing. God is the ultimate redeemer and delivers us from sin. Not even our “worst mess up” defines who we are. We are who God says we are: loved, made-new, accepted, righteous, clean, chosen, holy, blameless, forgiven, heirs to the throne and so much more in Christ! How would your life look different if you lived like you believe that? God’s plan for your life may unfold differently than you would want or hope for; thank the Lord for that! If we knew everything God knows, we would surely pray for the things He gives us. The Lord is good and He is faithful. His plans for you can only be done through you. How would your life look different if you lived like you believe that? If you lived like you believe these things, your life would be an overflowing cup radically reflecting Jesus. Go forth!
E LISABETH BORD U L I S, Residence Director: Potter Hall Office of Residence Life, Division of Student Life
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S U N D AY, A P R I L 1 0 Psalm 118:1–2; 19–29 | Luke 19:28–40 | Isaiah 50:4–9a; Philippians 2:5–11 |
Palm Sunday
Psalm 31:9–16; Luke 22:14–23; 56; Luke 23:1–49 The Lord has need of it… Chapter 19 of Luke’s Gospel tells the story of both the events leading up to and during what is traditionally called, “Palm Sunday.” Having just traveled from Jericho to the outskirts of Jerusalem, Jesus offered instructions to His disciples about obtaining a colt on which He would ride into Jerusalem. The disciples were to go to a certain spot to find the animal. They were to untie it and bring it to Jesus. He told them, if asked about why they were taking the colt, to simply say, “The Lord has need of it.” The events unfolded just as Jesus had said. The owners did inquire and the disciples offered the words Jesus had given them. They quickly released the animal for Jesus’ use. Notice the owners of the colt quickly, obediently and willingly gave up their animal as soon as they knew that “The Lord had need of it.” The gift of the animal obviously meant some sacrifice, if not some inconvenience, on the part of the owners. Knowing that Jesus wanted the use of their animal brought immediate obedience. I wonder if we are so ready, willing and able to offer whatever possessions we have if Christ demands their use. Are we willing to sacrifice and even put ourselves in a position of hardship all for the sake of the Kingdom? Would we give up our cars, our homes, our books, or our tools if Christ demanded that we do so? Would we willingly empty our banking accounts if impressed with the need to help someone who is struggling? We may be asked to “turn loose” of some things in order to “grab hold” of the Kingdom and its demands. What is it that you possess of which the Lord has need? Is there a talent you have not offered to His glory? A skill that you could use in ministry? Is there a check you could write to help the poor? If we are truly His disciples our hearts must become obedient, our attitudes compassionate and our “stuff” must become His. More than anything else, the Lord has need of your life. Are you willing to offer it quickly, obediently and willingly?
JON ROEBUCK, Executive Director Reverend Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership
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M O N D AY, A P R I L 1 1 Psalm 36:5–11 | Isaiah 42:1–9 | Hebrews 9:11–15 | John 12:1-11
Monday of Holy Week
I believe John chose to include this explanation in order that we might appreciate something of what real worship is. Worship is the focus of the Christian life. Mary took a pound of expensive ointment and poured it on Jesus. This explanation makes clear that she understood the work of Jesus and the change He had made in her heart. She was also deeply grateful not only for the restoration of her brother Lazarus, but for the wonderful teaching she heard from Him as she sat at his feet. This is what accounts for her extravagance here. She spared no expense. She cared nothing for the customs of the day and openly expressed her love for Jesus. But that’s how love and worship act. They are uncaring of expense. I’ve been married for 36 years and I don’t know what young men bring to young women these days to express their love, but, when I was a young man, it was a dozen of red roses. I remember digging deep in my pocket once for what seemed an enormous amount of money, for a dozen such roses for a young lady whom I had a liken for. But love takes no note of things like an expense. I remember one summer when studying for two weeks at Wesley Seminary in Washington DC. My wife came down and spent a weekend with me. In the evenings we would visit different areas in Washington DC. One time we went into a Tiffany jewelry store where we knew we couldn’t afford anything (being on a pastor’s salary). Well, she saw this beautiful cross and I could tell she really wanted it. So, I told her to get it. But the chain didn’t come with the cross, it was an extra fifty dollars. She said, no we can’t afford that, so we left. She returned home that Sunday. I very much wanted to express my feelings of love, appreciation and gratitude for her, so I went and bought the cross and chain. When I got home and gave her that gift, which I couldn’t afford, she was amazed and delighted. THOUGHT: “The essence of true prayer is worship.” Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of the most extravagant gift. Teach me to worship you with a love that delights in giving.
DAVID P. GA RDNER , Pastor Pelham United Methodist Church, Pelham TN
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T U E S D AY, A P R I L 1 2 Psalm 71:1–14 | Isaiah 49:1–7 | I Corinthians 1:18–31 | John 12:20–36
Tuesday of Holy Week
Easter is the season of hope, yet Isaiah 49:1–7 seems to offer us despair—to have labored in vain, only to hear that the thing we failed to accomplish was a pale portion of the whole we were made to do. This despair—that we are too little and pointless—was Judas’ stumbling block. He despaired of Christ being the conqueror he expected, and when his efforts to force the issue failed, despaired of being forgiven. The first time I noticed one of Gunter Demnig’s Stolpersteine, or stumbling blocks, I was standing on a sidewalk in Cologne. There was a brass plaque where one of the cobblestones should have been. These stumbling blocks are memorials bearing the names of the people who lived in that building before they were rounded up, herded into cattle cars and sent to their destruction in the Holocaust. They cut us to the quick; they are quotidian reminders of the worst of humanities’ failures. They might cause us to despair. Yet they also remind us, as 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 reminds us, why we cannot trust in our own strength, mercy, or understanding—because they are insufficient. Thankfully, God expects us to rely on His, not ours. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” When through Him we do what the world sees as foolish—when we love our neighbor as ourselves—we have hope. Our inability highlights God’s ability—and that is the true and unshakeable foundation of our hope. As Psalm 71:1-14 reminds us, God is our fortress and our refuge, the source of our continual hope. Our weakness or failure is never cause for despair; it is a reminder to turn to the rock of our salvation and draw on inexhaustible and invincible hope instead. Leaning on our own strength is what leads us to despair. During Lent, we give up things in memory of Christ’s surrender and sacrifice. They can also remind us that the strength we rely on is not our own, and that we therefore never have reason to despair, but always to hope. They remind us (with 1 Peter 3:15) to honor Christ in our hearts as holy, and to always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that is in us.
NATHAN GRIFFI T H, Associate Professor Political Science Department, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
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W E D N E S D AY, A P R I L 1 3 Psalm 70 | Isaiah 50:4–9a | Hebrews 12:1–3 | John 13:21–32
Wednesday of Holy Week
An ongoing question among those who believe in God is “what is mine to do and what is God’s to do”? For some the answer is—it is all God. While this sounds faithful and worshipful, it’s also an easy way to get out of being part of the difficult and tiring kingdom work in the world. For others the reliance upon self becomes its own trap. The sense that it is all up to us leads us to a kind of “functional atheism,” no matter what we say we believe, we act as if it is all up to us. Our scriptures today give us some help to a third way to respond to this question. Isaiah has light to shed on the role of those who rely on God and sacrifice for God. Today’s brief portion points to the important human tasks of encouraging the weary, opening our eyes and ears to what’s truly happening and staying alert to God’s call for action. The Psalmist clearly shows how calling on God for help is part of our daily work, when we find ourselves in trouble and when we find ourselves at the top of the hill looking out. The passage from John’s gospel is a crucial one in the story of Jesus heading to the cross AND it is a clear witness that Jesus both struggled with humans and saw himself as one of us. He instructs us to see that how we treat others is how we treat him and how we treat him is how we treat God—our relationships with humans and God are interwoven. And from Hebrews we see that those same humans are the ones who are part of our great cloud of witnesses—those who were here before us, are here now and are yet to come. We are all connected. And we’ve come full circle—the weary souls we encourage are the ones who can hold us up when we stumble. Antonio Machado is quoted as saying “Wanderer, your footsteps are the road, and nothing more; wanderer, there is no road, the road is made by walking. By walking one makes the road, and upon glancing behind one sees the path that never will be trod again.” And to this, Ram Dass adds, “When all is said and done, we’re really just all walking each other home.”
JUDY SKEEN, Professor College of Theology & Christian Ministry
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T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 1 4 Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19 | Exodus 12:1–14 | I Corinthians 11:23–26 | John 13:1-17, 31b–35
Maundy Thursday
If you knew what was going to happen tomorrow, how would it affect what you did today? Jesus knew He would soon leave this world. Still, He was obedient to the law. He gathered to commemorate the Passover with His disciples, the ones with whom He had spent the past few years. Jesus knew His disciples would turn their backs on Him. Most would simply fall asleep after He had asked them to stay alert while He prayed in the garden. One would betray Him to the religious leaders who wanted Him killed. Another would deny even knowing Him. Three times. Still, Jesus washed their feet. Just imagine His thoughts as He kneeled before each one, knowing their hearts and what was to come. When He had finished washing their feet, He said it was an example to follow and that they should wash the feet of each other. Jesus knew it would be the last supper He would have with this small group. Still, He broke bread, thanked God for it, took the cup and shared the bread and wine with the disciples. In doing so, Jesus established the new covenant between God and His people. He told them to remember Him every time they ate the bread and drank from the cup. Jesus knew the pain that would be experienced in the days ahead—the brutal torture and crucifixion and the immense grief that would be felt by His followers. Still, He remained focused on His purpose. He had demonstrated His love for everyone He encountered. However, His death on the cross was about to be the ultimate demonstration of His love for them and us. That night after supper, Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment: Love each other. “Just as I have loved you, you should love each other,” He specified. Loving others was not anything new. Jesus had modeled and given that instruction previously. However, that night Jesus told His disciples how to love one another: Just as He loved them. Even knowing what would happen the next day, Jesus remained purposeful, faithful and obedient. He loved His disciples. And He told them to love others just as He loved them. While there seems to be increasing uncertainty about what will happen tomorrow, we can have complete certainty of the future with Jesus Christ. Until that certainty is realized, may we love like Jesus. How has Jesus loved you? How will you love today as Jesus loved you?
K EVIN S. TROW BR I D G E, Chair & Associate Professor Department of Public Relations
· 45 ·
F R I D AY, A P R I L 1 5 Psalm 22 | Isaiah 52:13–53:12 | Hebrews 10:16–25 | John 18:1–19:42
Good Friday
If it weren’t for Jesus, I am certain that I would have remained a non-believer. The world is so full of suffering and pain and senseless violence against the innocent, so overflowing with injustice and wickedness in the highest places. In the face of these realities, what could possibly persuade someone that this world is the creation of a good God who loves us and has the power to bring all things to a good end? And even more importantly, why would anyone trust a God who merely says that he is on our side while safely ensconced in heaven? The prophet Isaiah painted a picture in words that would not be fulfilled by Jesus until seven centuries later: “He was despised and rejected, a man of suffering and familiar with pain... Surely he took our pain and bore our suffering...he was pierced for our transgressions...the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” It does not take a prophet like Isaiah to tell us that lots of people suffer and die in terrible ways; it does take a prophet to give us the good news that the one who was “pierced for our transgressions” is the same one who revealed to Isaiah, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (God with us),” for “I am the Lord, and there is no Savior but me.” As Jesus hung on the cross, he cried out in words written by the Psalmist centuries earlier, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” God not only knows about the world’s physical suffering and pain, God in Christ has himself experienced our pain and despair. As the author of Hebrews tells us, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” On this Good Friday, we are free to be completely honest about how hard life can be, and can cry out to God about the world’s injustice. And since we know that God loved us enough to come and save us despite the cost, we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
TODD LAKE, Vice President Spiritual Development
· 46 ·
S AT U R D AY, A P R I L 1 6 Psalm 31:1–4, 15–16 | Job 14:1–14 | I Peter 4:1–8 | Matthew 27:57–66
Holy Saturday
A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble, comes up like a flower and withers, flees like a shadow and does not last. (Job 14:1–2) Few of days and full of trouble. So it is that Job gives voice to human grief, to our grief. It cries out, loud and raw with pain, that human life is a series of losses that cannot be undone, of grief piling upon grief; a fragile thing too easily broken and too soon ended. Job’s lament is all too easy to relate to, I suspect. It is a perennial cry, the cry of those mourning loved ones too soon passed, of those suffering with chronic illness, of those living under injustice and oppression, of victims of violence and natural disasters alike. But it feels a little more raw, a little closer to home, in this moment. For many of us, the losses have piled up over the last couple of years, grief upon grief, until it’s hard to know what to do with them. Holy Saturday offers us a possibility. The gospels give us no account of what the disciples did that day, the first day that they awoke to a life without their friend and teacher. We only know that the disciples “rested according to the commandment.” (Luke 23:56) It was the Sabbath day, a day of rest and not of work. Perhaps, though, there was some work left for them—the work of grief. Holy Saturday continues to be a time set apart, a time for the work of grief. It is a time for us to name our griefs and to find others with whom we can share them, so that we might not bear our burdens alone. For this, too, is part of the confession of Holy Saturday: that even when we feel most alone in our suffering and grief, even when like Job we can imagine no future and manage no hope, we are not alone. We are joined with all those everywhere who call upon God in their grief, those near and far and, yes, even with all the company of heaven and the faithful of every age. But that is not all. Not by a long shot. On Holy Saturday Jesus lies in the tomb, and there is no clearer statement that we do not suffer alone. In Christ God has entered into our suffering, our death, our grief. Even if, like Job, we cannot find our way past our loss and our grief, we are not alone. We are never alone. God is with us.
BRAD DAUGHER T Y, Lecturer College of Theology & Christian Ministry
· 47 ·
S U N D AY, A P R I L 1 7 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 | Isaiah 25:6-9 | I Corinthians 15:1-11 | John 20:1-18
Easter Sunday
During Holy Week, I often find myself reflecting on the disciples—what they were experiencing and feeling in those last days and hours of Jesus’ life. What must it have been like to watch the man whom you believed was the Son of God be nailed to the cross to die? What would it feel like to see the one whom you had given up everything to follow be put into a borrowed tomb? What did the agonizing hours of Holy Saturday hold for them? I recognize that I am limited in my ability to imagine what it would be like because I know what lies ahead. There is a popular saying during Holy Week: “It may be Friday, but Sunday’s coming.” These words are a proclamation meant to remind us that no matter the depth of despair we may experience, resurrection is waiting on the other side. Knowing this, is it possible for me to truly imagine the confusion and then joy Simon Peter and the other disciple felt as they found the grave clothes lying in the empty tomb? Or to fully understand Mary’s elation when she heard her teacher, who had lain dead in the tomb for 3 days, call her by name? Can I understand the joy of resurrection without first feeling the pain of the cross? But then I consider the world today—where very few things are as they should be. It is a world full of difficulty and brokenness, disease and pain. There are millions of people who go to bed every night with empty stomachs and no roof over their heads. Hundreds of thousands of people lose their lives to disease, viruses and tragic accidents. There are many days when the pain and confusion of the world are just too much to bear. It is on these that I can perhaps understand the disciples the best. Because the good news of Easter Sunday wasn’t just for them on that first Sunday, but it is also good news for us today. On Easter we celebrate that Jesus has gone before us, taking upon himself all the pain and suffering the world would ever know. And in his resurrection, death was defeated and the restoration and renewal of all things began. Pain, hunger, death, the cross—they are not the end of the story—Resurrection is. “On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth.” Isaiah 25:7-9 There are times when it feels like the world in which we live is in a perpetual Friday, but thank God for the good news of resurrection Sunday.
H EATHER DAUG HER T Y, University Minister University Ministries · 48 ·
THE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY MINISTRIES MISSION The Office of University Ministries provides opportunities for students to: • See God at work in their lives and in the lives of those around them. • Find a place to belong on campus and in the world. • Develop a sense of purpose in leadership and service.
WORSHIP
Ways you can be involved
Join us for Chapel services every Monday, Wednesday and
Into.Nashville is a WELL Core-credit program that exposes
Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the Herbert C. Gabhart Chapel on
students to the diverse communities of Nashville and
the Ground floor of JAAC. Check out the University
helps students engage and embrace the most often
Ministries website and Bruinlink for a full schedule and
neglected people of the community.
more information.
2021 – 2022 FA I T H D E V E LOP ME N T
Continuing the Conversation: Continuing the Conversation
OR G A N I Z AT I ON S , A F F I L I AT E D G R OUP S
gives a chance to discuss the chapel topic for the day in a
& G RA D UAT E F E L LOWS HI P S
more conversational setting. More information can be
Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM), BUD Ministries,
found on BruinLink!
Belmont Bridge Builders, Belmont Full Gospel, Belmont Wesley Fellowship (BWF), Chadasha Gospel Choir, CRU,
S P I R I T U A L L I F E A S S I S TA N T S In partnership with Residence Life, SLAs engage first-year students in on-campus community within their residence halls through small group and service opportunities.
Delight, Every Nation Campus Ministry, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), InterVarsity, Navigators, Orthodox Christian Community (OCM), Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), UKirk, University Catholic at
SERVICE YEAR
Belmont (UCAT), Young Life, Christian Legal Society
Service Year is an intentional Christian community right
(CLS), Christian Pharmacy Fellowship International (CPFI),
here on campus. It’s an amazing opportunity to grow in
Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF)
your relationship with God, make meaningful friendships and serve in the Nashville community!
OF F I C E OF UN I V E R S I T Y M I N I ST R I E S STA F F
BELMONT ON MISSION
Heather Daugherty,
LaReace Carr, University
University Minister
Ministries Administrative
Immersion trips are week-long spring break trips that offer students a chance to be immersed in a local domestic culture and grow in understanding of the cares and concerns of those communities.
Christy Ridings, Associate University Minister, Director of Spiritual Formation
International trips are spring break and summer mission experiences in partnership with faculty/staff leaders that have either a general or discipline-specific emphasis. · 49 ·
Assistant
OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY MINISTRIES
615.460.6419 BELMONT.EDU/UNIVERSITY-MINISTRIES
Nondiscrimination statement: Belmont University is a Christian community. The University faculty, administration, and staff uphold Jesus as the Christ and as the measure for all things. As a community seeking to uphold Christian standards of morality, ethics, and conduct, Belmont University holds high expectations of each person who chooses to join the community. In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Belmont University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or sexual orientation in its administration of education policies programs or activities; its admissions policies; or employment. Consistent with applicable civil rights law, the University seeks employees of Christian faith who are committed to the mission of the University. The University has appointed the director of the Office of Human Resources to serve as coordinator of compliance with Title VII and IX issues and questions for staff and faculty. The Director of Title IX Compliance and Prevention Programs serves as coordinator of compliance for Title IX issues and questions for students. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to: Lauri Chaudoin, Director, Title IX Compliance and Prevention Programs, Freeman Hall, 3rd Floor, 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212. Phone: 615.460.5661. Email: lauri.chaudoin@belmont.edu. Leslie Lenser, Chief Human Resources Officer/Sr. Director & Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Office of Human Resources, Fidelity Hall, Room 426, 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212. Phone: 615.460.6456. Email: leslie.lenser@belmont.edu. For more information on Belmont’s nondiscrimination policy, visit www.belmont.edu/nondiscrimination. UMN-213947