Thursday, March 7, 2013

Josh. 5:9-12; Ps. 32; 2 Cor. 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Commemorations: Perpetua and Felicity and companions, martyrs (ca. 180-203)

II Corinthians 5:17  “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.”

In the northern hemisphere, we are moving toward springtime, a time of greenness and fertility.  In the Jewish calendar, we are moving toward Passover, festival of deliverance and new beginnings.  In the church year we are moving toward Easter, festival of resurrection and new life.  The church year grew out of the Jewish calendar and pagan festivals, all of which sprang naturally from the seasons of the earth.  We are ready to be done with gray days, with dormancy and cold.  We are ready for the green of newness, the smell of sod on the wind, the warmth and light of sun on face.  Christ promises us that in the life of the Spirit, new life will follow gray dormancy, that spring will follow winter, that forgiveness will follow repentance, that Easter will follow Good Friday.  God is always creating in us clean hearts and renewing in us right spirits when we return to God with outstretched arms and contrite hearts.

 

O loving God, you raise us up in forgiveness and new life.  May we always be open to the new creation you offer us through Jesus Christ.  Amen

 

• Start making Ukrainian eggs for your Easter celebration²