Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 16, 2025
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
Our gracious, eternal God, we bow before you in awe, wonder, and with some confusion. We have heard once again the story of a woman deeply devoted to Jesus. It makes us wonder.
We wonder how we might possibly have her kind of love and devotion.
We wonder how we might possibly have her kind of generosity.
We wonder how we might possibly have her kind of humility.
We wonder how we might possibly have her kind of graciousness and hospitality to you and also to the least of your children.
And yes, we wonder how our practical, prudential side of us could possibly give such a lavish gift just for the love of giving.
O GOD, TEACH US THE LESSONS OF MARY’S LOVING ACT.
Teach us to see through the trappings of our religious faith to its deeper meanings.
Teach us somehow to grow more generous and giving spirits.
Teach us how to give hospitality and welcome to the strangers and the struggling and the broken who come into our lives.
Teach us the gift of humility.
Teach us to bow, to love, to worship, to adore, and then to know that this is our true purpose as your children.
Teach us how to sacrifice and how to provide blessing for those we meet even as Mary provided blessing for Jesus.
O GOD, TEACH US THE LESSONS OF MARY’S LOVING ACT. Amen
March 16, 2025
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
Our gracious, eternal God, we bow before you in awe, wonder, and with some confusion. We have heard once again the story of a woman deeply devoted to Jesus. It makes us wonder.
We wonder how we might possibly have her kind of love and devotion.
We wonder how we might possibly have her kind of generosity.
We wonder how we might possibly have her kind of humility.
We wonder how we might possibly have her kind of graciousness and hospitality to you and also to the least of your children.
And yes, we wonder how our practical, prudential side of us could possibly give such a lavish gift just for the love of giving.
O GOD, TEACH US THE LESSONS OF MARY’S LOVING ACT.
Teach us to see through the trappings of our religious faith to its deeper meanings.
Teach us somehow to grow more generous and giving spirits.
Teach us how to give hospitality and welcome to the strangers and the struggling and the broken who come into our lives.
Teach us the gift of humility.
Teach us to bow, to love, to worship, to adore, and then to know that this is our true purpose as your children.
Teach us how to sacrifice and how to provide blessing for those we meet even as Mary provided blessing for Jesus.
O GOD, TEACH US THE LESSONS OF MARY’S LOVING ACT. Amen