Reflection on the Word in our Worship
Cross-bearing as a follower of Jesus means nothing less than giving one’s whole life over to following him. . . . This is the way of total freedom. If you clutch your life wholly to yourself, protecting it against all others, asserting all your rights, needs and privileges, you lose it because it isn’t life any longer. If, however, you acknowledge that life is not yours by right, that all is privilege, and that it is to be lived in the love that the gospel story reveals, self-giving love, then you possess it wholly. There is now nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 16:6-12 (after the playlist below)
New Testament Lesson: Romans 8:31-39
Gospel Lesson: Mark 8:31-38
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below to listen to Incarnation's Playlist)
Psalm 16:6-12
6 The Lord himself is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup; *
you shall maintain my lot.
7 The boundaries have fallen for me in pleasant places; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
8 I will thank the Lord for giving me counsel; *
my heart also chastens me in the night season.
9 I have set the Lord always before me; *
he is at my right hand; therefore I shall not fall.
10 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. *
My flesh also shall rest in hope.
11 For you shall not leave my soul in the grave, *
neither shall you allow your Holy One to see corruption.
12 You shall show me the path of life; in your presence is the fullness of joy, *
and at your right hand there is pleasure for evermore.
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