Saturday at the Cinema: How Should We Read the Book of Revelation?

Scriptures and Prayer for Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

Old Testament: Micah 7:14–15, 18–20

Psalter: Psalm 103:1–12

Gospel: Luke 15:11–32
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Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scriptures and Prayer for Friday in the Second Week of Lent

Old Testament: Genesis 37:3–4, 12–28

Psalter: Psalm 105:16–22

Gospel: Matthew 21:33–43
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Grant, O Lord, that as your Son Jesus Christ prayed for his enemies on the cross, so we may have grace to forgive those who wrongfully or scornfully use us, that we ourselves may be able to receive your forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scriptures and Prayer for Thursday in the Second Week of Lent

Old Testament: Jeremiah 17:5–10

Psalter: Psalm 1

Epistle: Luke 16:19–31
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O Lord, strong and mighty, Lord of hosts and King of glory: Cleanse our hearts from sin, keep our hands pure, and turn our minds from what is passing away; so that at the last we may stand in your holy place and receive your blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scriptures and Prayer for Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent

Old Testament: Jeremiah 18:1–11, 18–20

Psalter: Psalm 31:9–16

Gospel: Matthew 20:17–28
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O God, you so loved the world that you gave your only- begotten Son to reconcile earth with heaven: Grant that we, loving you above all things, may love our friends in you, and our enemies for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Holy Spirit and Biblical Interpretation: The Problem of Irreconcilable Readings

How do we know when the Holy Spirit is guiding the church and how do we know where the Spirit is leading? It is an important question that is not always easy to answer. There are times when the presence of the Spirit feels like holding Jello-- it's there, we can feel it, but it sure is difficult to get a firm grip on it. Couple this with the fact that Christians all too often equate the movement of the Spirit to having a warm, fuzzy feeling and/or getting what we want. If we feel warm and fuzzy or if we get our way the Spirit is leading; if not the Spirit is being resisted. We never resist the work of the Holy Spirit, only others who disagree with us do. Just as many attempt to manipulate Jesus to serve their own contemporary agendas, we often justify our own feelings and/or understandings by chalking them up to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture and Prayer for the Feast of Saint Joseph

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16

Psalter: Psalm 89:1-29 or Psalm 89:1-4, 26-29

Epistle: Romans 4:13-18

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
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O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scriptures and Prayer for Monday in the Second Week of Lent

Old Testament: Daniel 9:3–10

Psalter: Psalm 79:1–9

Gospel: Luke 6:27–38
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Let your Spirit, O Lord, come into the midst of us to wash us with the pure water of repentance, and prepare us to be always a living sacrifice to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scriptures and Prayer for the Second Sunday in Lent

Old Testament: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Psalter: Psalm 27

Epistle: Philippians 3:17-4:1

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
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Hope beyond all human hope, you promised descendants as numerous as the stars to old Abraham and barren Sarah. You promise light and salvation in the midst of darkness and despair, and promise redemption to a world that will not listen. Gather us to yourself in tenderness, open our ears to listen to your word, and teach us to live faithfully as people confident of the fulfillment of your promises. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.