17th day of Lent- Matthew 26:11

"For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me." Matthew 26:11

The writer of today's devotion, Presiding Bishop Emeritus Herbert W. Chilstrom, is the Bishop who ordained me in 1981.  At that time he was the Bishop of the Minnesota Synod in the Lutheran Church in America.  My ordination took place at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN., where the annual Minnesota Synod assembly was held.  I was part of a group of new seminary graduates who had all received calls in that synod and who were ordained together.  This has nothing to do with the devotion, just a trip down memory lane for me.  Bishop Chilstrom  was later elected the first presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  He is a man I have long admired.

Bishop Chilstrom expresses a reality for many of us.  We have never truly been hungry.  If anything, we struggle with eating too much.  We have been blessed, which makes it our obligation to be a blessing to others.  If we have more than enough, we share with others who do not have enough.  "It's not an option.  It's an expectation."  We have not yet solved the problem of poverty both near and far.  Progress has been made, but there's a long way to go.  Perhaps, given the complexity of the problem and human sinfulness, the poor will always be with us to some degree.  But that does not mean we simply give up.  That's not what Jesus did or would do.  We share what we can, in ways we can, to help all people be adequately fed.  

 

The 3rd Sunday of Lent- Luke 13:1-9

"No I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." Luke 13:5

Repentance and forgiveness, a strong Lenten theme, takes front and center this Sunday and next.  This week the emphasis is upon the importance of repentance.  To repent means to turn around and go in the opposite direction.  More than that, the Greek word has the sense of continuing to repent, or continual repentance.  It is not a once and done activity.  Because we are and will always be imperfect human beings in this life, repentance is a lifelong activity.  It needs to be built into our makeup, something we do continually .

Jesus points out that all are in need of repentance.  God is not judging some people as worse than others, for example, when the tower of Siloam suddenly collapsed and killed eighteen people.  They were not worse sinners, they were tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time. His example does point out that life is uncertain, and the time to repent is now.  We simply don't know what the future will bring or how long we will be given the gift of life.  God is patient.  God is merciful.  In the parable of the barren fig tree, the owner gives the gardener another year to tend to it and help it produce fruit.  The judgment is delayed, but there is limit.  Now is the time we are given.  Now is the time to repent and be right with God.  On this third Sunday in Lent, let us confess that we fall short in our love for God and others in many ways, repent, and return to Him.

Lord God, I confess to you that I have not loved you with my whole heart, mind, and strength.  I have not loved my neighbor as myself.  Today I seek to return to you, asking for your forgiveness and grace. Thank you for your patience with me, and accepting me despite my many faults.  Set me on the right path once again, loving you and serving others.  For the sake of Jesus Christ my Lord I pray.  Amen

16th day of Lent- Luke 6:21

“Blessed are you who are hungry now,
    for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh. Luke 6:21

Today's devotion points out the many negative effects being malnourished has on children.  It's not something I had to deal with growing up, nor my children.  "More susceptible to disease. Less likely to stay in school.  More likely to be involved in the criminal justice system. All because of hunger."  In light of this, the above words of Jesus can be confusing.  Is being hungry and in poverty a blessing, somehow a good thing?  Surely he can't mean that.  Jesus fed the hungry and paid particular attention to the poor and outcast.  And perhaps that's the point.  If you were one of the hungry Jesus is speaking to, his words would be good news.  You have not been forgotten.  There is hope.  You will be fed.   And how will this happen?  It happens as people come to Christ, have their lives and values change, and begin to "love one another," as God has loved us.  It happens through gifts of charity.  It happens through development programs.  It happens when people advocate for fair and just laws that do not harm the poor.  The above verse is a challenge to everyone who is able, to be part of the solution to "fill the hungry." 

15th day of Lent- Jeremiah 29

^" But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." Jeremiah 29:7

Many people in ancient Israel were taken into exile by the conquering nation of Babylon. I cannot imagine how terrible this must have been, forced to leave home and taken to a foreign place.  More generally, Babylon has come to represent symbolically any dominant, ruling power where inequality exists.  In today's devotion the Rev. Steve Jerbi of All People's Lutheran church in Milwaukee uses the term "Babylon" in this way,  suggesting that among us the disparity among rich and poor is its own kind of "Babylon."   He writes, "As economically comfortable people of faith, it can have us feeling like 'a stranger in a strange land.'"

I appreciate this devotion because he's naming the complexity of poverty among us.  There are many reasons for it, and we are all, in some ways, wrapped up in a system that leads to what we have today.  In that sense, we all need God's grace and forgiveness.  But, the author suggests, "like Jeremiah said, we cannot flee from the problems."  We can neither wash our hands of the problems nor give up in despair.  We do "seek the welfare of the city," believing God is already present before us.  I admire all the people and organizations that in one way or another work to bring God's love to places that so desperately need it.  From time to time I have had a chance to do a small part of that work, as have many of you.  Together, "We seek shalom- a marriage of peace and prosperity," for all God's people.

The 14th day of Lent- Matthew 14:15-16

¹⁵ When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” Matthew 14:15-16

The above passage is from the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 by Jesus with five loaves of bread and two fish.  Jesus did not send the hungry crowd away to fend for themselves.  There was a lesson to be learned both by the crowd and the disciples.  The responsibility for feeding the hungry was placed in the hands of the disciples- through the power of Jesus.  The disciples did not feed the crowd, but they assisted Jesus in the process.  Imagine the impact this must have made on the disciples!  They saw God's power and compassion, and participated in this miracle.  Imagine the impression it must have made on the crowd!  Had they been sent away to fend for themselves, they never would have seen Christ impact their lives in this way.  Instead, as Jesus fed them, now thousands more people could go back to their villages, share this good news, and, in turn, begin to feed others.  

The miracle of the feeding of the 5000 is a message of hope and a call to action.  Just look at what can be done when the power of God is linked with willing servants.  There is more than enough.  May we be open to God using us to feed the hungry crowd, wherever that may be.  "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."

The 13th day of Lent- Psalm 145:15-16

"The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
    satisfying the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145:15-16

Today's devotion by Bishop Patricia Lull continues the thoughts explored yesterday.  All people are dependent upon God for food, air, water- the essentials of life.  "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season." (Psalm 145:15) These are verses of God's generosity.  A table prayer before a meal acknowledges that the food before us is a gift of God, and we give thanks.  From that humble posture, we are able to move out into the world, knowing there are hungry people, who also ought share in God's blessings, as we do.  Bishop Lull writes, "This Lent we are invited to listen carefully for God's voice in our lives.  The move from prayer, to recognition of our need for God, to acknowledging our relationship with hungry neighbors teaches us to open our hands to ensure that all creatures have what they need."  Do you pray before meals?  Does your prayer give thanks for God's generosity?  Do you pray for those that do not have enough? Do you pray for open hands, to ensure all creatures have what they need?  As we dine together, these are all thought provoking questions that can remind us of our dependence on God's generosity and our responsibility to serve our neighbor in need.  

12th day of Lent- Proverbs 30:8

"Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
    give me neither poverty nor riches;
    feed me with the food that I need," Proverbs 30:8

Today's devotion takes an unexpected turn.  It's not directly about feeding others, as you might expect from World Hunger devotions.  It's about feeding ourselves, both physically and spiritually, so that we can work to nourish the world.  

The author, Jennifer Sharrick, writes about how she has turned the preparation of locally grown food delivered to her each Tuesday in the summer into a spiritual discipline.  The fresh fruits and vegetables support the local economy and provide healthy meals.  The food preparation takes time and challenges her creativity as she finds ways to use new ingredients.  All of this contributes to her ability to do the work of World Hunger, "working for a world where all are fed."

It's important that we care for and nourish our bodies.  If we are not well, how can we help others?  It's also important to think about the food choices we make and how that might enhance our spirituality.  How often in my life have I raced through a meal of primarily processed food, not even thinking about what I was eating or where it came from?  Far too often, I have to admit.  This devotion is a challenge to me to give greater thought to food and its preparation as a spiritual discipline that gives glory to God.  

The  picture above was taken last September of the Our Saviour's Lutheran Community Garden, Salt Lake City, UT.

The 11th Day of Lent- Luke 13:31-33

³¹ At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” ³² He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me,‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. ³³ Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Luke 13:31-33

At this point we have completed 1/4th of our Lenten journey.  As Jesus was determined to fulfill his mission in Jerusalem, so also we continue forward towards the cross and resurrection.  Today's devotion is in the form of a poem written by the Rev. Ignaki Unzaga, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Passaic, N.J.  Each stanza begins, "To be hungry during Lent."  It broadens our perspective on what it means to be hungry.  It is not just physical hunger, but a longing for things less tangible, more illusive, but nevertheless important.  Here's a few examples"
"To be hungry during Lent is to hunger for answers and the meaning of things."
"To be hungry during Lent is to hunger to know what to change, what to hold."
"To be hungry during Lent is to hunger for a chance to change what's wrong."
"To be hungry during Lent is to hunger to give way more than leftovers and alms."
"To be hungry during Lent is to hunger to hear: You. Today. With Me. Paradise."

For what do you hunger and long for this Lenten season? How might your longing begin to be fulfilled? 

2nd Sunday of Lent- Luke 13:31-35- The Lamant over Jerusalem

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" Luke 13:34

As Jesus goes about his ministry- healing the sick, calming the sea, exorcising demons, teaching God's truth- he does so with a destination before him.  He is going to Jerusalem, the center of religious and political power in Israel. More than that, he is going there to die, to pay the penalty for sin with his own life.  That's what makes the above lament so moving.  As he thinks about Jerusalem, he does so with love.  Using one of the rare feminine images in the Bible, Jesus speaks about how he desires to gather the city in love and protection, like a hen gathers her brood under her wings.  The city that has so often disobeyed God by killing the prophets, and is soon to kill Jesus, is a city that God still loves and desires to protect. 

I think this metaphor of God's love, like a hen gathering her brood under her wings, is applicable not only to Jerusalem, but also to us.  How often have we turned away from God?  How often have we harmed others through our thoughts and actions?  How often have we turned away from those who hunger among us and throughout the world?  Yet, despite all of that, God loves us and seeks to gather us like a hen gathering her brood under her wings.  On this Sabbath day, let us give thanks and praise for God's amazing love, forgiveness, and protection. 

10th day of Lent- Philippians 3:17- 4:1

"For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. ¹⁹ Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:18 - 20

Sometimes I wish the line between my behavior and that of others was as clearly drawn as Paul suggests above.  "I'm not like those people, " I could then say.  But the truth is, the lines are much more blurred.  Is my god ever my belly?  That sounds pretty harsh, but I've often eaten far more than I really need.  Do I ever set my mind on earthly things? Well, I do receive a monthly pension statement and look at it to see if my investments have gone up or down.  Today's devotion writer, Maria Immonen, suggests that "the Lord's Prayer teaches us to take the needs of others seriously." Further, "It directs us toward a life of moderation- enough is all we need."  But what is enough?  Who decides?  These are not simple questions, but ones with which I can't help but struggle every day.

So, with questions like these, I have to rely on God's grace and prayerful deliberation.  What's right for me may not be right for you.  But what is clear is that since "our citizenship is in heaven," the "earthly things" pale in comparison.  It frees me up to seriously consider how much I really need, and how much can be shared for the good of others.  As you reflect on all you have, are there ways to consume less and give more?  How does the fact that, by God's grace and through faith, "our citizenship is in heaven," impact the decisions we make about what we use for ourselves and what we use for others? 

9th Day of Lent- Isaiah 55:1-2

"Ho, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
² Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food." Isaiah 55:1-2

Martin Luther used the Latin term "Incurvatus in se" to describe sin.  It means to curve inward upon oneself.  Here's what he says in his commentary on Romans.  " Our nature, by the corruption of the first sin, [being] so deeply curved in on itself that it not only bends the best gifts of God towards itself and enjoys them,... but it also fails to realize that it so wickedly, curvedly, and viciously seeks all things, even God, for its own sake."  The Isaiah passage above refers to this selfishness in verse 2, "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?"  We have so many more wants than needs, and many of us have rooms full of wants that never really satisfied.  So, the Christian faith, by God's grace, calls us to fight against curving inward, to curving outward to the neighbor in need.  It is to recognize that God is the giver of all and that all people are invited to "come to the waters" and "buy wine and milk without price."  The reality is that in our world, food and other basic essentials are not distributed evenly.  Much of that has to do with human sin, the tendency to curve in on ourselves. But we don't have to be that way.  We can act differently, and many do.  We can curve out, share the blessings we have been given, and give others the opportunity to "eat what is good." 

The 8th day of Lent- Matthew 6:11

"Give us this day our daily bread" Matthew 6:11

Such a short, yet important, verse. We looked at it once already, on the 4th day of Lent.  Bishop Wohlrabe does a nice job of drawing out the meaning of our Lord's words in the Lord's prayer.  "'Give us,' gracious God, because without you we are nothing and have nothing." A reminder today that life is a gift not of our own doing or sustaining.  "'Give us today' just one day's provisions.  Keep us from fussing about tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."  How many of us need to hear those words today?  "Give us."  Not give me. "Give us."  This is not a prayer only for my needs, or those closest to me.  This is a prayer for everyone in the world, all created by God, all given the gift of life.  Sometimes I hear people say, when it comes to feeding the hungry, "Shouldn't we take care of our own first?"  This sets up an either/or kind of response.  We should help certain people, but not others.  But I prefer a both/and response.  All people need daily bread, regardless of where they happen to live.  So I'm grateful that our hunger program, supported by our donations,  works both near and far to assist all God's children in receiving the daily bread essential for life. 

The 7th day of Lent- John 13:35

^" By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

I am of such an age as to be influenced by the songs of the 1960's.  One such song was written by then parish priest Peter Scholtes, "They'll Know We are Christians by Our Love."  Here's some background info. on Peter and his song.  This was taken  from his obituary in July of 2009.
 " Peter wrote the hymn "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love" while he was a parish priest at St. Brendan's on the South Side of Chicago in the 1960s. At the time, he was leading a youth choir out of the church basement, and was looking for an appropriate song for a series of ecumenical, interracial events. When he couldn't find such a song, he wrote the now-famous hymn in a single day. His experiences at St. Brendan's, and in the Chicago Civil Rights movement, influenced him for the rest of his life."  And, I might add, his song has influenced countless youth of my era, who sang it at camps, on retreats, at youth group meetings, and on mission trips.

Today's devotion is a prayer that we might love all people, as God first loved us.  But more than just saying we love others, it is a prayer that we might put our love into action.  It is our actions that bear witness to Christ.  "They'll know we are Christians by our love."  Through our congregation, and many, many other churches and church based organizations, there are countless opportunities to put love into action.  In what ways do you share Christ, through loving others?

The 6th day of Lent- Luke 4:4

Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Luke 4:4

Today's devotion by the Rev. Melissa Pohlman is in poetic form.  It explores spirituality.  If, as Jesus says, when tempted by Satan to satisfy his hunger by turning a stone to bread,  "One does not live by bread alone," what does he mean by that?  Well, I think he means that there is more to life than fulfilling our physical needs.  We do need to eat, drink, rest, exercise, and care for our bodies.  Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.(1 Corith. 6:19)  But there's more to human life than the physical.  There are our emotional needs.  And, the focus of this devotion, our spiritual needs.  

Spirituality has to do with living in relationship with God.  It's about  prayer, worship, God's Word, God's guidance, service- in short, all those ways we seek and find God - or maybe better, all those ways  God seeks and finds us.  But, there's no instruction manual for this.  There's no step one, step two, step three, that everyone can follow that leads to knowing God.  It just doesn't work that way.  We're all different, and the way I experience God's presence in my life may be different than how someone else experiences it.  Rev. Pohlman found a prayer labyrinth from circular streaks of clean water left by a janitor's scrubber on a tile floor.  That was an unexpected entrance into prayer and spirituality for her.  It may be something different for us.  Spirituality is not laid out in a manual.  It is experienced as we see evidence of God's presence in unexpected ways all around us.