1 Lent, Feb. 25

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it
(some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

(St. Paul's uses the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary readings which are a little different from the Prayer Book Lections. The recent General Convention authorized the RCL as our official lectionary.)

February 25, 2007
First Sunday in Lent, Year C
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

The Collect
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted
by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of
each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Scriptures
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2,9-16
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13

Deuteronomy 26:1-11
When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving
you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle
in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the
ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is
giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place
that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name.
You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say
to him, "Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come
into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us."
When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down
before the altar of the Lord your God, you shall make this
response before the Lord your God: "A wandering Aramean was my
ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien,
few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and
populous. When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us,
by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the Lord, the God of
our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction,
our toil, and our oppression. The Lord brought us out of Egypt
with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying
display of power, and with signs and wonders; and he brought us
into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk
and honey. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground
that you, O Lord, have given me." You shall set it down before
the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. Then
you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among
you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God
has given to you and to your house.
________________________

When you offer your alms or make your contribution to the church, what is your prayer? With what attitude do you make your gift to God?
__________________________________________________

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, *
abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 He shall say to the Lord,
"You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I put my trust."
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,
10 There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent
under your feet.
14 Because he is bound to me in love,
therefore will I deliver him; *
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; *
I am with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and bring him to honor.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, *
and show him my salvation.
________________________

How do you reconcile this psalm of protection with the story of Jesus' temptation?
__________________________________________________________

Romans 10:8b-13
"The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is,
the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with
your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes
with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the
mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes
in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between
Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to
all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord shall be saved. "
_______________________

What is near you or within your heart that calls forth hope in you?
__________________________________________________________

Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was
tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days,
and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him,
"If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf
of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live
by bread alone.'"
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an
instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him,
"To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it
has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If
you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered
him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only
him.'"
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on
the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of
God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will
command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their
hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot
against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put
the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished
every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
__________________________

When do you feel most weak and vulnerable?
What temptation hits you then?
___________________________________________________________

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Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.