DAY 22: March 13, 2021 Saturday
of Lent 3- Matthew 5:46-47
Anyone can love
the lovely. (Matthew 5:46-47). Jesus demands love for those who are incapable
of showing love in return. “’An eye for an eye’ makes all people blind.”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive
out hate: only love can do that.[2]
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." – 1 John 4:7
Those who truly
love God will act on that love, towards other people. Those who don’t
demonstrate love have no fellowship with God, at minimum. Love is something God
showed us first, by sending Christ. Our love for Him is ultimately rooted in
His original love for us. We are again reminded that true love involves acting,
not just feeling.
O love how deep,
how broad, how high,
Beyond all thought
and fantasy,
That God, the Son
of God, should take,
Our mortal form
for mortals’ sake![3]
O God, You
know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of
the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such
strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through
all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and
the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[4]
God of our salvation, Your beloved Son entered the Holy
City to shouts of "Hosanna!" for truly He came in the name of the
Lord. Give us faith to grasp the mystery of His suffering, death, and
resurrection on our behalf as we journey with Him this Lenten season to the
cross and, beyond that, to the empty tomb; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.[5]
Lord, make this
lent observance of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ bring us to the
full joy of Easter. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [6]
[1] Chi Rho
copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things
[2] Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. MINISTER, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
[3] O Love, How
Deep, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[5] Collect
for Saturday of Lent 3, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
[6] Collect for
Saturday of Lent 3, For All the Saints A
Prayer Book For and by the Church Vol.1 copyright © 1994 The American Lutheran
Publicity Bureau Delhi, NY
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