Starting Sunday, February 15th

WEEK 1 | THE DESERT

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Start each week with the Lords Prayer.

Matthew 6:9-13,"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

PASSAGE

Matthew 4:1-11

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” 8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” 10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” 11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

REFLECTION

After His baptism, as the Father declared Him Son and the Spirit descended in glory, Jesus was led not into applause but into the wilderness. At the very beginning of His ministry, He faced hunger, weakness, and the enemy’s attack—each temptation beginning with, “If you are the Son of God,” striking at His very identity. Satan offered shortcuts: immediate bread, instant glory, an easier path. Yet where Israel once failed, Christ stood firm, answering every lie with the unshakable truth of Scripture. In the place of testing, He chose trust over self-protection and obedience over comfort. This passage reminds us that temptation often meets us in our most vulnerable seasons, but we are not defenseless. Like Jesus, we cling to God’s Word, trust the Father’s provision and timing, and worship and serve Him alone.

PRAYER

"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."

(Source: The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, p. 255)

WEEK 2 | THE MOUNTAIN

February 22nd

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Start each week with the Lords Prayer.

PASSAGE

Matthew 5:1-16

One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them. 3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

REFLECTION

Jesus' humility and ability to subvert expectations is shown through so many huge moments in the Gospels, but the small details reveal so much of his Character. The Sermon on the mount is up there with the most famous speeches given of all time, but instead of standing to address the crowd to command authority, he sits down, joining the crowd and lays out the upside-down nature of the Gospel. The beatitudes provide a beautiful insight into the Christian faith all are seen and known in the Kingdom of God. That in poverty, pain and purity, that is where God shows up to meet every need of his people. Unlike the 10 Commandments, The Beatitudes don't point to external rules, but the inner transformation that comes from being moulded into the life of Christ. This week, as we explore the mountain, let's remember the great reversal that the Gospel provides, but also the closeness of the King to those who are broken-hearted, the humble and the persecuted.

PRAYER

"Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name: through Christ our Lord. Amen."

(Source: The Book of Common Prayer, 1979, p. 255)

WEEK 3 | THE WELL

March 1st

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Start each week with the Lords Prayer.

Matthew 6:9-13

"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,

for ever and ever. Amen."

PASSAGE

John 4:1-26

Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

REFLECTION

Have you met Jesus? When did you meet him? How did you meet him? Did he find you in a vulnerable time? Were you alienated? Had you alienated yourself? How did he engage with you? Did he ask you for something or speak to you quietly? Were you shocked that he would engage with you? What could you possibly have in common? Why would he want anything to do with you? But he did. He met you where you were at. He showed himself to be kind. You were fully known. Fully seen. Fully loved. He told you everything you’d ever done and didn’t leave. In fact he came closer. He showed you a way out. A better way. A way you didn’t even know was possible, but with him all things are possible. You were free. You could start over because you were no longer defined by what came before. You were a new creation. The only thing that matters is what happens now. What do you do with all of this love and all this freedom? Where do you go? Who do you go to? You can’t keep it to yourself. It’s all too much. Too much grace. Too much joy. Too much love to keep it to yourself. Where do you go now? Who can you tell about this man who has told you everything you’ve ever done? Will they even believe you? They’ll believe because they’ll see before them a life inexplicably changed. There will be no other way to explain it. It will be obvious. You have met with Jesus.

PRAYER

"O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Source: The Book of Common Prayer (1559 and 1662)

WEEK 4 | THE WATER

March 8th

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Start each week with the Lords Prayer.

PASSAGE

Matthew 14:22-36

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

REFLECTION

All throughout Scripture, oceans and waters symbolize chaos. Much like Peter and the other disciples, we as followers of Jesus will find ourselves navigating through life’s chaotic wind and waves. When Jesus tells Peter to come to Him, Peter exhibits great faith in the face of terrifying conditions, and does something many of us would consider childish, reckless, and foolish. Yet, Jesus invites Peter to step out in this great faith. When Peter loses focus on Jesus and instead focuses on the natural, he sinks in his fear. After immediately rescuing him, Jesus doesn’t rebuke Peter’s boldness, he challenges Peter’s doubts. What is our response when the rain falls, and the wind blows? To whom or what do we turn to? Even in the moment of breakthrough, we can be caught up in the details of our circumstances and miss the broader thing the Lord is accomplishing in our lives. During this season of reordering our priorities, may we set our eyes on the King, step out of the boat in bold, childlike faith, and enable all those around us to encounter Jesus as we follow Him.

PRAYER

"O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God".

Source: The Book of Common Prayer (1559 and 1662)