Wednesday of Lent 5

Wednesday of Lent 5, March 21, 2018 Psalm 90:13-17

Psalm 90 is a psalm written by Moses, and is a great comfort in times of sadness. It starts out with a confession that the Lord abides with us always; “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” Verses 12–17 are a prayer for the continuation of God’s favor, and the wish that He would carry out His work of salvation and bless His people’s undertakings to that end.

In Mark 10:17–22 A rich young man was off in his thinking from the very start, when he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Inheriting eternal life is not a matter of our doing; it is a gift of grace. Jesus tried to show the man that he could not earn his salvation, by directing him to the commandments. Yet, the young man persisted in his self-righteousness by proclaiming that he had kept them all from his youth. Still, Jesus looked on him with love and compassion, as a wayward sheep. He directs the man to the First Commandment, by asking him to give up all he had. This young man loved the things of the world more than the things of God, and so he went away sorrowful. How can any person enter the Kingdom of God? Not on his own merits, for with man it is impossible…but all things are possible with God.

Hymn: The Head that Once Was Crowned With Thorns (Lutheran Service Book 532:6)
The cross He bore is life and health;
Through shame and death to Him;
His people’s hope, His people’s wealth,
Their everlasting theme.

Keep us, O Lord, from one generation to another, and let not us, who have clung to Thy foundation, be carried away with this present world, but arise to be our Comforter in trouble, and by the bestowal of joy wipe away our sorrows; 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, renew in us the gifts of Your mercy; increase our faith, strengthen our hope, enlighten our understanding, widen our charity, and make us ready to serve You; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2

1 © 2005 Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood

 2 Collect for Wednesday of Lent 5, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm