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A daily Lenten e-mail with lessons of hope and courage, inspired by a variety of resources to encourage us in these confusing and turbulent times from St. Luke’s Church, Lebanon.

Monday - Third Week in Lent

"No prophet is accepted in his own native place." The Old and New Testaments are filled with stories that demonstrate our faulty human nature in the refusal of people to see the work of God in their midst. Prophets and disciples of ancient times experienced limitations in the lives that they could touch and the great works that God might perform through them because of the impeding doubt of their peers. When Matthew recounts Jesus' rejection at Nazareth, he concludes the chapter with the statement, “And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.” Even Jesus was rejected by his native countrymen, and their unbelief rendered them incapable of receiving the grace of God.

Our human condition contributes to our very limited perspective on others. Our lived experience and preconceived notions create a tunnel vision much like blinders on a horse. We can see only a very narrow sliver of one another, yet we assume that this familiar portion defines a someone's identity. As humans, we cannot fathom that the imperfect girl who grew up next door could ever be a great saint or that a young man with autism could be an instrument in the conversion of many. We see only the surface when there exists within each person, a great potential as a child of God.

As we strive to grow closer to Jesus, we must work to better recognize the face of Christ in one another- to take off the blinders of humanity and recognize the holiness within those around us. Each of us is formed God's image and likeness. We are called to look beyond our "mere" humanity to become instruments of God’s grace here on earth. This is our destiny.

Scripture Lessons appointed for the day
(Click on the lesson for the text)
2 Kings 5:1–15b
Luke 4:23–30
Psalm 42:1–7

“Without the prophet, there is no prophesy”
― Lailah Gifty Akita

Seeing God . . .

How have my human limitations hindered seeing the face of God in others?
Have I neglected to recognize holiness within someone in my life?
How can I take off the blinders of my human limitations better to honor God’s creation?

Here I Am Lord
w/ Lyrics (Chris Bray)

“Being a prophet in the wilderness speaking truth to power typically leads to poverty and punishment. It is far easier to follow the lucrative trade winds of popular opinion but withheld honesty results in forgotten words.”
― Stewart Stafford