DAY 9: February 26, 2021
Friday of Lent 1- Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
Jesus declares
in Luke 6:36, “Be merciful, even as your
Father is merciful.” How do we define “mercy”? Solomon instructs us in
Proverbs 19:17, “Whoever is generous to
the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” To the
extent that we serve our neighbor the Lord is watching. He sees all. Simply
stated, having pity on the poor, or helping them when you can, is like giving
directly to God.[1]
Lent a time for
self-giving, rather than merely 'giving something up.’ Giving helps us connect
more effectively and lovingly with others in our lives, for we have taken time
to see them and the needs they have. This was something Jesus did to a
masterful level. He stopped and touched people. He asked them what they needed
from him, and he met their needs — not only in loving ways, but also in
miraculous ways. His love for you drove Him to the cross. The cross is the mark
of Christ’s mercy. It is the emblem of love.
Take time today
to think about your Lenten journey and how you are preparing yourself for
Christ’s coming at Easter. Think about prayer, fasting and giving. Find ways to fulfill each area of preparation
during this season. How are your words and actions motivated by mercy?
“Then the King will say to those on his
right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me
food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed
me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison
and you came to me…Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of
these my brothers, you did it to me.” –Matthew 25:34-36, 40
Blessed are they who show mercy;
Mercy shall
be theirs.
Rejoice and be glad!
Blessed are
you, holy are you.
Rejoice and
be glad!
Yours is the
kingdom of God.[2]
Lord
Christ, our eternal Redeemer, grant us such fellowship in Your sufferings, that
filled with Your Holy Spirit, we may subdue the flesh to the spirit, and the
spirit to You, and at the last attain to the glory of Your resurrection; who
live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.[3]
Lord Jesus, Son of the Most High God, You freed many from their bondage to demons, demonstrating Your power over the evil one. Show us Your mercy when we are overcome by the darkness of sin, death, and the devil, and protect us by Your mighty Word that does what it says; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[4]
[1] Luther’s
Seal copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things
[2] Blessed
are They Lutheran Service book copyright © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St,
Louis
[3]Collect
for Friday of Lent 1, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
[4] Collect
for Friday of Lent 1 Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House,
St. Louis
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