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 Lord's 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 Lord's 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)

WEEK 5 | THE TOMB OF LAZARUS

March 15th

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Start each week with the Lord's 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

John 11:17- 44

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

REFLECTION

Is there a word, phrase, or theme that stands out?

The theme of Jesus' gentle, intentional care is prominent in this passage. On his way to miraculously raise Lazarus—to glorify the Father and demonstrate his power over death—his attention is drawn to two grieving women. As we meditate on his interactions with Martha and Mary, it is easy to marvel at his deep love and personal care for them. Rather than rushing past them toward a grand miracle, Jesus stops to meet with each woman individually and intentionally. Isn’t that so like Him? Yet, they both say the same thing: “Lord, if you had been here...”

Anyone who has followed the Lord for any length of time has experienced a moment like this: “Lord, if...”, “Lord, why...”, “Lord, where....” We are struck by the fact that the Lord meets Martha and Mary directly in their pain. He could have gone straight to the tomb to "fix" the problem, but he wanted to address a deeper need—a deeper level of relationship and care. We often consider the "big" miracles to be of greater importance, but Jesus does not hold this belief. They wanted him to do something for them; he just wanted them.

As you move through your day, bring your cares and questions to Him. He may or may not “fix” circumstances the way you would like, but He will certainly meet you.

PRAYER

Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.

Macarius of Egypt - 4th Century

WEEK 6 | THE CROSS

March 22nd

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Start each week with the Lord's 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 27:32-50

The Crucifixion

As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

REFLECTION

As we consider the cross in week six, we encounter this extraordinary moment where Jesus searches for his Father and does not find Him. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” are some of the most important words in scripture and, even more important, is what is happening in this pivotal moment for all of humanity. Jesus is asking, “why did you leave me,” “where are you?” He had enjoyed uninterrupted communion with His Father for his entire life. He was one with his Father as John 17:21 tells us among many other places that speak of their unity, bond and connection. But this is different. Where Jesus once never even had to search for God, now He is gone. He has abandoned His son and Jesus is devastated. But this is not by accident. It is a vital part of God’s plan.

This is the last question Jesus asks in his entire life on earth and it mirrors a similar question that comes at creation. After Adam and Eve had sinned, God went looking for them as they were hiding. Adam had also enjoyed uninterrupted communion with God in the perfect garden until that was broken through their sin. “Where are you?” is the first question that God asks in the Bible. It comes as sin ushers in the curse and all of humanity is lost.

So when Jesus is abandoned on the cross in the final moments of his life, God is redeeming that terrible moment in the garden. In a stunning reversal, God instead hides from His son as now the defeat of sin ushers in the blessing of salvation. Jesus became lost that we may be found. He restored our communion with God, so we never have to ask “Where are you?”

Despite the the glory of this eternal moment, we are still prone to hide from God as we are entangled in sin or just struggling through the difficulty of life. We hide in work, we hide in entertainment, our children, social media and substances that numb our pain and promise escape that they never truly deliver.

Where are you right now?

Where might you be hiding from God or neglecting relationship with Him?

Our Father is waiting, present and available at every moment of the day and Jesus ensured that we would never be lost again if we would only be found by the Father through His forsaken son. Spend some time in prayer asking the Lord where or what you may be hiding. Open your life to His comfort, His forgiveness and the joy of being truly found in Christ.

PRAYER

Psalm 139:1-10

1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

WEEK 7 | THE EMPTY TOMB

March 29th

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Start each week with the Lord's 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

Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

REFLECTION

Jesus’ crucifixion was public, but His resurrection was initially shrouded in mystery. Jesus carefully chose when and to whom He would reveal Himself after He rose from the dead. For days after His death, His disciples lived in mourning and in fear. They expressed the death of hope when He died: “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21).

Where are you experiencing the death of hope today? Does it feel like God has not come through on His promises? Perhaps you know in your head that the resurrection is historically true, yet you struggle to connect that fact with your daily experience. When we face trials, tragedies, losses, and setbacks we are sick at heart. Like the disciples, we followed Jesus with high hopes - and yet our circumstances can often tempt us to think that our faith did not spare us, that all hope is lost.

How wonderful that the tomb is not the end of the story! The angels’ glad proclamation: “He is not here, but has risen!” ushers in the hope of an eternity so glorious that even our worst sufferings will seem “light” and “momentary” (2 Cor. 4:17). Sam Gamgee famously asked Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, “Is everything sad going to come untrue?” Gandalf replies, “A great shadow has departed.”

Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered that last great shadow and rendered death ultimately powerless. What does the empty tomb mean for us today? It means victory over our two most lethal enemies, sin and death. Because He lives we have the power to daily say no to sin, and the assurance that even death is but the beginning of the great Story that will go on and on forever: perfect union with Christ, an end of suffering, and life everlasting.

PRAYER

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, 1979