Saturday of Lent 3

DAY 22: March 13, 2021                                                       Saturday of Lent 3- Matthew 5:46-47

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? – Matthew 5:46-47  [1]

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]

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[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

[4]Collect for Saturday of Lent 3,  http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

[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