"The Lenten Pilgrimage" - Day 20

Thursday, March 11th

     “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                        John 12:24-25

       A thoughtful spiritual journey through the days of Lent will continually confront us with the necessity of death in our journey toward new life.  An authentic life of Christian Discipleship will always fly in the face of our spiritual status quo, always convicting us of our resistance to change. 

      At the heart of the Good News is death and resurrection.  And that is always the proper order.  Death must precede resurrection.   New life only springs forth after the old life dies.

     During the Season of Lent we look deep within our own hearts.  We evaluate the nature of our thoughts, we observe our works, we consider our witness, we contemplate the fruit of our lives. 

      And we pray that God will reveal to us the things which must die within us, which is an essential step in the direction of living as God’s new creation in Christ. 

Prayer

     Lord Jesus, like the grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies, your death bears much 

     fruit.  Through your death on the cross, you have offered to the world the power of 

     resurrection life.  As we continue our Lenten journey, please reveal to us the attitudes, 

     behaviors and practices within us that serve as stumbling blocks to knowing the fullness

     of life you provide.  Save us from a love of the world that diminishes or destroys our lives.

     Help us to live our lives fully and completely in you, that we might bring glory and honor to

     your name.  It is in your name that we pray.  Amen.