The Daily Lectionary and Prayers for Wednesday, February 14, 2024 — Ash Wednesday

 

The Daily Lectionary
with Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Wednesday, February 14, 2024 — Ash Wednesday

The Call to Renewal

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17;

2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Lent 1)

Introduction

Ash Wednesday marks the commencement of the Lenten season, a period of penitence, reflection, and spiritual renewal in the Christian calendar. The scripture readings for this day, encompassing Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; and Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, invite us into a profound journey of self-examination and repentance. Joel's urgent call for a communal return to God, coupled with Psalm 51's poignant plea for mercy and a clean heart, sets a tone of solemn introspection. In 2 Corinthians, we are reminded of our role as ambassadors for Christ, reconciled to God and entrusted with the message of reconciliation. The Gospel of Matthew cautions us against performative piety, urging sincerity in our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Collectively, these readings offer a tapestry of themes central to the Lenten experience: repentance, forgiveness, humility, and the transformative power of God's grace in preparing our hearts for the Easter mystery.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Prophetic Books of Minor Prophets
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Return to God

The Book of Joel, an evocative text from the Hebrew Bible, stands out for its rich imagery and profound themes. In Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, the prophet Joel issues a compelling call for repentance and a return to God amidst a backdrop of impending judgment and calamity. This passage is not only a cornerstone in the prophetic literature but also resonates deeply with contemporary themes of spiritual renewal and collective responsibility.

2 1 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
        sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
    Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
        for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—
2    a day of darkness and gloom,
        a day of clouds and thick darkness!
    Like blackness spread upon the mountains
        a great and powerful army comes;
    their like has never been from of old,
        nor will be again after them
        in ages to come.

12   Yet even now, says the Lord,
        return to me with all your heart,
    with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13       rend your hearts and not your clothing.
    Return to the Lord, your God,
        for he is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
        and relents from punishing.
14  Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
        and leave a blessing behind him,
    a grain offering and a drink offering
        for the Lord, your God?

15  Blow the trumpet in Zion;
        sanctify a fast;
    call a solemn assembly;
16      gather the people.
    Sanctify the congregation;
        assemble the aged;
    gather the children,
        even infants at the breast.
    Let the bridegroom leave his room,
        and the bride her canopy.

17  Between the vestibule and the altar
        let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.
    Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
        and do not make your heritage a mockery,
        a byword among the nations.
    Why should it be said among the peoples,
        ‘Where is their God?’”

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-2: This section vividly describes an impending day of darkness and gloom, symbolizing divine judgment. The imagery of a massive army, likened to dawn spreading across the mountains, serves as a metaphor for an overwhelming and inescapable divine force. This portrayal underscores the urgency and severity of the coming day of the Lord.

Verses 12-14: Here, the tone shifts from warning to an invitation for repentance. God calls for a return with all one's heart, emphasizing fasting, weeping, and mourning. The focus is on sincere inner transformation rather than mere external rituals. The passage highlights God's gracious and compassionate nature, offering hope for forgiveness and reprieve from judgment.

Verses 15-17: These verses call for communal repentance and sanctification. The summoning of a sacred assembly, including all members of society, signifies the collective responsibility in seeking God's mercy. The appeal for the priests, who serve as mediators between God and the people, to weep and intercede, underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for earnest supplication for divine intervention.

Conclusion: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 encapsulates a powerful message of hope amidst judgment. It serves as a timeless call to introspection, genuine repentance, and a wholehearted return to God. This passage not only reflects the heart of Hebrew prophetic literature but also offers relevant insights for contemporary spiritual life, emphasizing the importance of communal responsibility and the transformative power of sincere return to the Divine.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 51:1-17
Plea for Mercy

Psalm 51:1-17 is a heartfelt cry for God's mercy and forgiveness. It opens with a direct appeal to God's unfailing love and abundant compassion, pleading for the blotting out of the petitioner's transgressions. This psalm, attributed to King David following his transgression with Bathsheba, is a profound expression of repentance and a quest for spiritual cleansing. The author acknowledges their sins and the weight of their guilt, seeking redemption and renewal from a just and merciful God. The psalm progresses from personal lament to a recognition of God's desire for truth and wisdom, culminating in a prayer for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. This deeply personal plea is both a confession and a testament to God's capacity to transform and redeem even in the darkest of times. The psalmist's words resonate across centuries, offering a template for anyone seeking divine forgiveness and the restoration of joy in God's salvation.

1    Have mercy on me, O God,
            according to your steadfast love; *
        According to your abundant mercy
            blot out my transgressions.

2    Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, *
        And cleanse me from my sin.

3    For I know my transgressions, *
        And my sin is ever before me.

4    Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
            and done what is evil in your sight, *
        So that you are justified in your sentence
            and blameless when you pass judgment.

5    Indeed, I was born guilty, *
        A sinner when my mother conceived me.

6    You desire truth in the inward being; *
        Therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

7    Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; *
        Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8    Let me hear joy and gladness; *
        Let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.

9    Hide your face from my sins, *
        And blot out all my iniquities.

10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
        And put a new and right spirit within me.

11  Do not cast me away from your presence, *
        And do not take your holy spirit from me.

12  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, *
        And sustain in me a willing spirit.

13  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, *
        And sinners will return to you.

14  Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
            O God of my salvation, *
        And my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

15  O Lord, open my lips, *
        And my mouth will declare your praise.

16  For you have no delight in sacrifice; *
        If I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.

17  The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; *
       Aa broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

O Lord, our Redeemer, we come before You on this Ash Wednesday, hearts heavy with the weight of our transgressions, seeking Your boundless mercy. As our Psalm reading reminds us, we acknowledge our sins before You, for they are ever before us. Against You, You only, have we sinned and done what is evil in Your sight. In Your unfailing love and great compassion, blot out our transgressions.

Create in us, O God, a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Do not cast us away from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and grant us a willing spirit, to sustain us. In our brokenness and humility, we recall the words of the Psalmist, "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

As we wear the ashes today, let them be a sign of our mortality and penitence, reminding us that only through Your gracious gift of love are we given eternal life. Teach us wisdom in our secret heart, and let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to You, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Second Reading
From the Epistles
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
Now is the Day of Salvation

The passage from 2 Corinthians 5:20b to 6:10 is a profound exposition by the Apostle Paul on the ministry of reconciliation and the nature of Christian service. This section of Scripture is a compelling appeal for understanding and embracing the role of believers as ambassadors for Christ, highlighting the urgency of salvation and the trials that accompany a life dedicated to God's service.

5 20b We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

6 1 As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

    “At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
        and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! 3 We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, 7 truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Expository Commentary

2 Corinthians 5:20b-21 — Reconciliation through Christ:

• Verse 20b: Paul implores the Corinthians "in Christ's stead" to be reconciled to God, emphasizing the urgency and importance of this reconciliation.

• Verse 21: He presents the foundational Christian doctrine that Christ, who was sinless, took on the sins of humanity, so that through Him, we might become righteous in the eyes of God. This verse encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 — The Time of God's Favor: Paul cautions against receiving God's grace in vain. He references Isaiah 49:8, reminding the Corinthians that the present time is the opportune moment for salvation. The "now" underscores the immediacy and accessibility of God's grace.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 — The Marks of an Apostle:

• Verses 3-4a: Paul asserts his commitment to avoid any offense that may discredit the ministry. He emphasizes the importance of integrity and blamelessness in service.

• Verses 4b-5: The apostle lists various trials (afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger) that he and his companions endured, showcasing their dedication and resilience.

• Verses 6-7: Here, Paul lists positive attributes and the means by which they conduct their ministry (purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, the power of God). This juxtaposition of hardships and virtues highlights the contrast between worldly struggles and spiritual strength.

• Verses 8-10: This section presents a series of paradoxes illustrating the apostolic experience (regarded as impostors yet true, unknown yet well known, dying yet alive, punished yet not killed, sorrowful yet always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich, having nothing yet possessing everything). These paradoxes reflect the Christian experience of finding profound spiritual truth and richness in the midst of worldly challenges and contradictions.

Conclusion: In 2 Corinthians 5:20b-21, Paul provides a compelling narrative on the Christian ministry's challenges and triumphs. He emphasizes the urgency of reconciliation with God through Christ, the importance of receiving God’s grace actively, and the paradoxical nature of apostolic life, marked by suffering yet overflowing with divine joy and strength. This passage is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the Gospel and the calling of every believer to be an ambassador of Christ's reconciliation.

From the Gospels
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
A remnant chosen by grace

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 forms a part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He instructs His followers on the essence of true righteousness. This passage specifically warns against the hypocrisy of performing religious acts for public admiration. The central message here is about the sincerity of faith and the importance of a personal, authentic relationship with God.

6 1 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

16 “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Expository Commentary

Verses 1-4 — Almsgiving: In verses 1-4, Jesus addresses the practice of almsgiving. He cautions against doing good deeds publicly to be seen and admired by others. Instead, Jesus encourages discreet generosity, suggesting that true acts of charity should be done in secret. This way, the focus remains on helping others rather than seeking personal glory.

Verses 5-6 — Prayer: These verses shift focus to prayer. Jesus contrasts the hypocritical prayers of those who seek attention in public spaces with the humble prayer of a person who communicates with God in private. The emphasis here is on the intimacy and honesty of prayer, done in a quiet place where the only audience is God Himself.

Verses 16-18 — Fasting: In verses 16-18, fasting is discussed. Similar to the previous teachings on almsgiving and prayer, Jesus condemns the ostentatious display of piety through disfiguring the face to show others they are fasting. True fasting should be a personal sacrifice to God, not a public display for praise.

Verses 19-21 — Treasures in Heaven: Finally, verses 19-21 shift the focus from religious practices to the disposition of the heart. Jesus advises against hoarding earthly treasures, which are temporary and vulnerable to decay and theft. Instead, He encourages storing up treasures in heaven through acts of love and righteousness. The location of one's treasure, He teaches, is where the heart will be focused.

Conclusion: In summary, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 calls believers to a faith that is sincere and private, prioritizing a genuine connection with God over public acclaim. This passage is a powerful reminder that the essence of religious practice lies not in outward show but in the inward condition of the heart and the unseen acts of devotion and charity.

Here ends the Lessons

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you that we are a family in Christ. Help us to share his love and legacy with everyone that we encounter this week. May we lavish Christ’s abounding goodness upon our families, friends and colleagues. Holy Spirit, come and equip us in our workplace, guide us in our school life, and inspire us in our neighborhood. May we be your hands and feet to the needy, your words of affirmation to the oppressed and your arms of comfort to the lonely.

Thank you for choosing to use us to bring your kingdom here on earth. Amen.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM, aided by ChatGPT.

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

The Daily Lectionary and Prayers for Wednesday, February 22, 2023 — Ash Wednesday

 

The Daily Lectionary and Prayers
Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17;

2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Introduction & Summary

Today marks the beginning of our Lenten journey. As we walk with Jesus toward Jerusalem, we are invited by the prophet Joel to gather as God’s people. We are invited by the psalmist to renew our hearts and to confess our wrongdoings before God. All this is done with the assurance that God’s grace fills our lives, and with the promise that God’s steadfast love never fails us. As Matthew proclaims, when we give our hearts to God, we discover the joy of knowing God, the joy of finding our treasure.

Opening Prayer

As we gather here in the harbor of your safety we thank you for fellowship and family.

We ask that you will strengthen us, restore us and inspire us with your love. Lord, would fill us with your peace so that as we journey onwards we would pour out your love and grace to others. We ask that our souls would catch the wind of your spirit so that we would take your promises to all the earth. Amen.

A Prayer for Lent

Lord, I will turn,
Turn my face towards you.
I will lay before you the desert areas I hide
And turn to soak in your refreshing words of life.
I will cast aside the barren, selfish pursuits
And turn to rest in the tranquil warmth of your love.
I will draw back from the harsh pull of media
And turn to bathe in the gentle power of your Spirit.
Lord, today I turn my face towards you.

I will turn
To soak in your words of life,
To rest in the warmth of your love,
And to bathe in the power of your Spirit.

Prayer for Fasting

I shall lay aside the pressure I feel, and retreat into your space,
Away from distractions, I’ll seek you face to face.
I shall lean into you Lord, where the weight of the world
Falls away from my shoulders, let your freedom unfold.

I shall burrow so deeply, in you I’m covered and safe,
Lift my eyes up to linger on the love in you gaze.
I shall shelter, encircled by the depth of your care,
Where your majesty leads me, I await you in prayer.

I shall whisper my worries, here I’ll open my fears
And lay here unfolded, in a river of tears.
I shall rest my soul gently and nestle into your hope,
Seeking only to dwell here, in your peace I will soak.

The Collect
(from the Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

God, this is a hard time. The focus of Lent is on the pain and suffering of Jesus and our own need for penitence. It is a time of gathering darkness. But we would rather skip this part and go straight to Easter. We would rather ignore the suffering—in you and in the world—and avoid the hard work of true self-examination. Forgive us for wanting this to be bright and painless and easy, when we know that Jesus did not take the easy way, but chose the path of the Cross. Teach us the true meaning of penitence, so that we use this Lenten season to humbly seek a clean heart and a renewed spirit. Amen.

Words of Reassurance

The truth is this: God’s love and mercy are never-ending. God knows us in our inward being; God cleanses us from our sins and shortcomings and restores to us the joy of salvation.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Prophetic Books of Minor Prophets
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Return to God

1  Blow the trumpet in Zion;
     sound the alarm on my holy hill.

   Let all who live in the land tremble,
     for the day of the Lord is coming.
   It is close at hand—
2    a day of darkness and gloom,
     a day of clouds and blackness.
   Like dawn spreading across the mountains
     a large and mighty army comes,
   such as never was in ancient times
     nor ever will be in ages to come.
…
12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,
     “return to me with all your heart,
     with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

13 Rend your heart
     and not your garments.
   Return to the Lord your God,
     for he is gracious and compassionate,
   slow to anger and abounding in love,
     and he relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent
     and leave behind a blessing—
   grain offerings and drink offerings
     for the Lord your God.

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
     declare a holy fast,
     call a sacred assembly.
16 Gather the people,
     consecrate the assembly;
   bring together the elders,
     gather the children,
     those nursing at the breast.
   Let the bridegroom leave his room
     and the bride her chamber.
17 Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,
     weep between the portico and the altar.
   Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
     Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
     a byword among the nations.
   Why should they say among the peoples,
     ‘Where is their God?’”

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 51:1-17
Plea for mercy
Miserere mei, Deus

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness;
in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

Wash me through and through from my wickedness
and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.

Against you only have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight.

And so you are justified when you speak
and upright in your judgment.

Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth,
a sinner from my mother’s womb.

For behold, you look for truth deep within me,
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure;
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.

Make me hear of joy and gladness,
that the body you have broken may rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence
and take not your holy Spirit from me.

Give me the joy of your saving help again
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

I shall teach your ways to the wicked,
and sinners shall return to you.

Deliver me from death, O God,
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation.

Open my lips, O Lord,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice,
but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.

Lord Jesus, the psalms of David express our needs. Forgive us and cleanse us from our sins. Help us live and teach the truth that others might find salvation, peace, and joy in You. In Your name we pray,

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Second Reading
From the Epistles
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
Now is the Day of Salvation

5:20b We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

6:1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,

   “In the time of my favor I heard you,
     and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

From the Gospels
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
A remnant chosen by grace

6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
…
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

• We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

• We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank you that we are a family in Christ. Help us to share his love and legacy with everyone that we encounter this week. May we lavish Christ’s abounding goodness upon our families, friends and colleagues. Holy Spirit, come and equip us in our workplace, guide us in our school life, and inspire us in our neighborhood. May we be your hands and feet to the needy, your words of affirmation to the oppressed and your arms of comfort to the lonely.

Thank you for choosing to use us to bring your kingdom here on earth. Amen.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary for Wednesday, February 22, 2023 — Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

“Practicing Your Piety In Secret” The Gospel Message for Wednesday, February 22, 2023 — Ash Wednesday

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 6th chapter of Matthew, beginning with the 1st verse.

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
…
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

  — Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (NIV)

“Practicing Your Piety In Secret”

 

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day in Lent, the season of the church year, during which we focus our attention on our devotion to God before Easter. Ash Wednesday gives us an unusual opportunity to focus on our mortality and our sin. These are not popular topics or issues that we like to address, but Ash Wednesday gives us a wake-up call about these realities. The gospel lesson for today reminds us to give alms, pray, and fast quietly without drawing attention to ourselves. Jesus reminds us that where our treasure is, there our hearts will also be.

Our quest during Lent is to draw closer to God. The traditional Lenten disciplines of fasting, praying, not saying alleluias in worship, giving up things, journaling, and donating money are all intended to focus our devotion on God. They are meant to remove barriers to our relationship with God and remove hindrances from our growth in God. They are supposed to help us strip away excess and get back to the basics of faith.

Yet again, this Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that nothing is automatically religious in itself: not giving, not praying, not fasting, not giving up things for Lent. Religious things aren’t an automatic plus. Jesus’ words in the gospel lesson are evidence of that. Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Piety is not bad, but parading around so that others will be impressed by your religion is futile, says Jesus.

The Pharisees of Jesus’ day would pray three times daily, offering a standard prayer of eighteen lengthy petitions. Some took great pride in praying these prayers in the street, surrounded by the crowd, so everyone could see how pious they were. Jesus said,’ Practicing your piety in public is no evidence of faith.’ Now, yes, giving money to Amnesty International is better than wasting it on cocaine. Praying for the poor is undoubtedly better than overcharging the poor, but doing any of these to get people to notice defeats the purpose.

Because God is in secret and sees in secret, no showy display is necessary. God knows what is in the depths of our hearts, where no one else can see. Jesus didn’t mean for people to stop these acts of devotion but invited us to ask why we are doing what we are doing. We should always ask why? Why should I loudly complain about being hungry when I was fasting? And why did I gripe about having to read my Bible while studying during Lent? Why did I insist on dropping that $20 bill in the offering plate when everyone was looking? Devotion to God that is done to be seen is no devotion at all. The life of faith is low-profile. We minimize ourselves so that God can be magnified and glorified.

Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return. No pious praying, fastidious fasting, or religious wrangling will make your life worthwhile. There is more value in one quiet, selfless, faithful act than in a thousand boisterous voices praying for the sake of being heard. Don’t stop using traditional Lenten spiritual disciplines, but use them for their intended purpose: to draw closer to God. “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”

 

Lord, Holy One, have mercy on us. We confess our sins to you. We have fallen short of your glory, and without your mercy and grace, we would be dust. We repent now. Lord, as we enter into this Lenten season, be near to us. Help us, by your Holy Spirit, to feel the right conviction and repentance for our sins. Help us, by your Spirit, to have the strength to overcome the enemy.

 

Thank you, Lord, that Easter is coming! Death has no sting, no victory, because of Jesus! Glory and honor and praise to His name! Thank you for rescuing us. Help us keep both the weight and the joy of this season in our hearts as we move through the next several weeks. Help us bear the good fruit of your Spirit.

 

 Thank you that the ashes on our forehead do not symbolize our ultimate reality. From dust, we might have been formed. Still, our bodies, our spirits, and ourselves await beautiful redemption and the restoration of all things. Help us long and look forward to that day, and let it come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

 

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day in Lent, the season of the church year, during which we focus our attention on our devotion to God before Easter.

The Daily Bible Readings for Wednesday, March 2, 2022 — Ash Wednesday

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17;

2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Introduction & Summary

Today marks the beginning of our Lenten journey. As we walk with Jesus toward Jerusalem, we are invited by the prophet Joel to gather as God’s people. We are invited by the psalmist to renew our hearts and to confess our wrongdoings before God. All this is done with the assurance that God’s grace fills our lives, and with the promise that God’s steadfast love never fails us. As Matthew proclaims, when we give our hearts to God, we discover the joy of knowing God, the joy of finding our treasure.

Today’s Verse of the Day:
Job 23:10-11

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

Despite his calamities, Job still believed that God had a hand in his life for good. The dark moments of our lives will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Prophetic Books of Minor Prophets
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Return to God

1 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
     sound the alarm on my holy hill.

  Let all who live in the land tremble,
     for the day of the Lord is coming.
  It is close at hand—
2    a day of darkness and gloom,
     a day of clouds and blackness.
  Like dawn spreading across the mountains
     a large and mighty army comes,
  such as never was in ancient times
     nor ever will be in ages to come.

12 “Even now,” declares the Lord,
      “return to me with all your heart,
      with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

13 Rend your heart
      and not your garments.
   Return to the Lord your God,
      for he is gracious and compassionate,
   slow to anger and abounding in love,
      and he relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent
      and leave behind a blessing—
   grain offerings and drink offerings
      for the Lord your God.

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
      declare a holy fast,
      call a sacred assembly.
16 Gather the people,
      consecrate the assembly;
   bring together the elders,
      gather the children,
      those nursing at the breast.
   Let the bridegroom leave his room
      and the bride her chamber.
17 Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,
      weep between the portico and the altar.
   Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
      Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
      a byword among the nations.
   Why should they say among the peoples,
      ‘Where is their God?’”

Commentary

The mighty army (vv. 1, 2). The prophet calls God’s people to repent (vv. 12-17).

Verses 1, 2: The trumpet was used primarily for religious purposes to call the congregation together for meetings, to usher in the beginning of the month, and to note solemn days and festive occasions. In this instance, it is to be used to alarm the people to the seriousness of the crisis that is upon them. A double figure of locusts and a future invading army may be intended in verses 1–11.

Verses 12-17: If no one can endure the coming day of the Lord, the only hope is if God averts it. Joel appeals again for all the people to lament and now calls for them to repent from the heart. The theological basis for repentance is the character of God, revealed to Moses at Mount Sinai (Ex 34:6–7), and it is also based on the promise that repentance brings restoration (Dt 30:2–6). In Exodus, the statement of God’s character includes both his mercy and justice, but in its reuse here, God’s merciful side is emphasized (Joel 2:13). Of particular significance is that God relents from sending calamity, which is an application of forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin (Ex 34:7). In Exodus, God declared he would wipe out his people after their sin of making the golden calf (Ex 32:10). Yet he relented because of the appeal of Moses, who pleaded with God not to make his people an object of scorn among the nations (Ex 32:11–14). Joel hopes that God might again relent and thus calls for all the people to gather (elders, children, bridegroom, bride) and for the priests to appeal to the Lord for mercy (as Moses had done for Israel).

From the Psalter
Psalm 51:1-17
Plea for Mercy

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
     according to your unfailing love;
  according to your great compassion
     blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
     and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
     and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
     and done what is evil in your sight;
  so you are right in your verdict
     and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
     sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
     you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
     wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
     let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
     and blot out all my iniquity.

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

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
      so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
      you who are God my Savior,
      and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
      and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
      you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
      a broken and contrite heart
      you, God, will not despise.

Commentary

The psalmist prays for mercy, humbly confessing and lamenting his sins (vv. 1-6). He pleads for pardon, that he may promote the glory of God and the conversion of sinners (vv. 7-15). God is pleased with a contrite heart (vv. 16-17).

Verses 1-6: David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. Whither should backsliding children return, but to the Lord their God, who alone can heal them? he drew up, by Divine teaching, an account of the workings of his heart toward God. Those that truly repent of their sins, will not be ashamed to own their repentance. Also, he instructs others what to do, and what to say. David had not only done much, but suffered much in the cause of God; yet he flees to God's infinite mercy, and depends upon that alone for pardon and peace. He begs the pardon of sin. The blood of Christ, sprinkled upon the conscience, blots out the transgression, and, having reconciled us to God, reconciles us to ourselves. The believer longs to have the whole debt of his sins blotted out, and every stain cleansed; he would be thoroughly washed from all his sins; but the hypocrite always has some secret reserve, and would have some favorite lust spared. David had such a deep sense of his sin, that he was continually thinking of it, with sorrow and shame. His sin was committed against God, whose truth we deny by wilful sin; with him we deal deceitfully. And the truly penitent will ever trace back the streams of actual sin to the fountain of original depravity. He confesses his original corruption. This is that foolishness which is bound in the heart of a child, that proneness to evil, and that backwardness to good, which is the burden of the regenerate, and the ruin of the unregenerate. He is encouraged, in his repentance, to hope that God would graciously accept him. Thou desires truth in the inward part; to this God looks, in a returning sinner. Where there is truth, God will give wisdom. Those who sincerely endeavor to do their duty shall be taught their duty; but they will expect good only from Divine grace overcoming their corrupt nature.

Verses 7-15: Purge me with hyssop, with the blood of Christ applied to my soul by a lively faith, as the water of purification was sprinkled with a bunch of hyssop. The blood of Christ is called the blood of sprinkling, Hebrews 12:24. If this blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin, cleanse us from our sin, then we shall be clean indeed, Hebrews 10:2. He asks not to be comforted, till he is first cleansed; if sin, the bitter root of sorrow, be taken away, he can pray in faith, Let me have a well-grounded peace, of thy creating, so that the bones broken by convictions may rejoice, may be comforted. Hide thy face from my sins; blot out all mine iniquities out of thy book; blot them out, as a cloud is blotted out and dispelled by the beams of the sun. And the believer desires renewal to holiness as much as the joy of salvation. David now saw, more than ever, what an unclean heart he had, and sadly laments it; but he sees it is not in his own power to amend it, and therefore begs God would create in him a clean heart. When the sinner feels this change is necessary, and reads the promise of God to that purpose, he begins to ask it. He knew he had by his sin grieved the Holy Spirit, and provoked him to withdraw. This he dreads more than anything. He prays that Divine comforts may be restored to him. When we give ourselves cause to doubt our interest in salvation, how can we expect the joy of it? This had made him weak; he prays, I am ready to fall, either into sin or into despair, therefore uphold me with thy Spirit. Thy Spirit is a free Spirit, a free Agent himself, working freely. And the more cheerful we are in our duty, the more constant we shall be to it. What is this but the liberty wherewith Christ makes his people free, which is contrasted with the yoke of bondage? Galatians 5:1. It is the Spirit of adoption spoken to the heart. Those to whom God is the God of salvation, he will deliver from guilt; for the salvation he is the God of, is salvation from sin. We may therefore plead with him, Lord, thou art the God of my salvation, therefore deliver me from the dominion of sin. And when the lips are opened, what should they speak but the praises of God for his forgiving mercy?

Verses 16-17: Those who are thoroughly convinced of their misery and danger by sin, would spare no cost to obtain the remission of it. But as they cannot make satisfaction for sin, so God cannot take any satisfaction in them, otherwise than as expressing love and duty to him. The good work wrought in every true penitent, is a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, and sorrow for sin. It is a heart that is tender, and pliable to God's word. Oh that there were such a heart in every one of us!

From the Epistles
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
Now is the Day of Salvation

5:20b We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

6:1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Commentary

Ambassadors for Christ (v. 5:20). How God made reconciliation possible (v. 5:21). A revelation of the Son of man upon his heavenly throne (vv. 26-28). The apostle, with others, proved themselves faithful ministers of Christ, by their unblamable life and behavior (vv. 6:1-10).

Verses 5:20, 21: Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein. Though God cannot lose by the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept the salvation he offers. Christ knew no sin. He was made Sin; not a sinner, but Sin, a Sin-offering, a Sacrifice for sin. The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Can any lose, labor, or suffer too much for Him, who gave his beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins, that they might be made the righteousness of God in him?

Verses 6:1-10: The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper and behavior. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion, and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel.

From the Gospels
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
The Practice of Faith

6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Commentary

Against hypocrisy in almsgiving (vv. 1-4). Against hypocrisy in prayer (vv. 5-6). Respecting fasting (vv. 16-18). Evil of being worldly-minded (vv. 19-21).

Verses 1-4: Our Lord next warned against hypocrisy and outward show in religious duties. What we do, must be done from an inward principle, that we may be approved of God, not that we may be praised of men. In these verses we are cautioned against hypocrisy in giving alms. Take heed of it. It is a subtle sin; and vain-glory creeps into what we do, before we are aware. But the duty is not the less necessary and excellent for being abused by hypocrites to serve their pride. The doom Christ passes, at first may seem a promise, but it is their reward; not the reward God promises to those who do good, but the reward hypocrites promise themselves, and a poor reward it is; they did it to be seen of men, and they are seen of men. When we take least notice of our good deeds ourselves, God takes most notice of them. He will reward thee; not as a master who gives his servant what he earns, and no more, but as a Father who gives abundantly to his son that serves him.

Verses 5-6: It is taken for granted that all who are disciples of Christ pray. You may as soon find a living man that does not breathe, as a living Christian that does not pray. If prayerless, then graceless. The Scribes and Pharisees were guilty of two great faults in prayer, vain-glory and vain repetitions. "Verily they have their reward;" if in so great a matter as is between us and God, when we are at prayer, we can look to so poor a thing as the praise of men, it is just that it should be all our reward. Yet there is not a secret, sudden breathing after God, but he observes it. It is called a reward, but it is of grace, not of debt; what merit can there be in begging? If he does not give his people what they ask, it is because he knows they do not need it, and that it is not for their good.

Verses 16-18: Religious fasting is a duty required of the disciples of Christ, but it is not so much a duty itself, as a means to dispose us for other duties. Fasting is the humbling of the soul, Psalms 35:13; that is the inside of the duty; let that, therefore, be thy principal care, and as to the outside of it, covet not to let it be seen. God sees in secret, and will reward openly.

Verses 19-21: Worldly-mindedness is a common and fatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and faster hold of the soul, under the cloak of a profession of religion. Something the soul will have, which it looks upon as the best thing; in which it has pleasure and confidence above other things. Christ counsels to make our best things the joys and glories of the other world, those things not seen which are eternal, and to place our happiness in them. There are treasures in heaven. It is our wisdom to give all diligence to make our title to eternal life sure through Jesus Christ, and to look on all things here below, as not worthy to be compared with it, and to be content with nothing short of it. It is happiness above and beyond the changes and chances of time, an inheritance incorruptible.

Today’s Lectionary Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.