Inside Luther Seminary

Chapel and Spirtual Life

Seeds of Tears | Lent 5

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This is our last stop on the road to Jerusalem. When I meditate on all the lectionary texts, on the spirit of Lent, and on the events in our world of this week–including the massive earthquake in Myanmar–I am drawn to one word.

Tears.

One of the messages of the Gospel is that we cannot get to Easter without the cross. Joy does not exist without tears. Evil seems to win again and again. Good people suffer at the hands of selfish tyrants. Innocent people die in the rubble of tectonic shifts.

Life is hard. Jesus told his disciples that if they want to follow him they would need to take up their cross. They would need to be willing to lose it all.

Lent is not a happy journey. But, it is a true one. Be strong, my friends. If the land seems dry and barren, if your heart is full of sorrow, if the race seems overwhelming, press on. Jesus is walking with you.

For the Revised Common Lectionary

This is our last stop on the road to Jerusalem. When I meditate on all these texts, on the spirit of Lent, and on the events in our world of this week, including the massive earthquake in Myanmar, I am drawn to one word. Tears. One of the messages of the Gospel is that we cannot get to Easter without the cross. Joy does not exist without tears. Evil seems to win again and again. Good people suffer at the hands of selfish tyrants. Innocent people die in the rubble of tectonic shifts. Life is hard. Jesus told his disciples that if they want to follow him they would need to take up their cross. They would need to be willing to lose it all. Lent is not a happy journey. But, it is a true one. Be strong, my friends. If the land seems dry and barren, if your heart is full of sorrow, if the race seems overwhelming, press on. Jesus is walking with you. For the Revised Common Lectionary Isaiah 43:16-21 - Water in the desert Psalm 126:1-6 - sowing in tears, reaping in joy Philippians 3:4-14 - press on John 12:1-8 - Mary anoints Jesus' feet

Coming Up in Chapel This Week

All chapel events are at 11:00am except Thursday evening

  • Monday text study on Zoom
  • Tuesday Circle Practice, led by Dr. Mary Hess. in OCC Meditation Chapel and on Zoom
  • Wednesday Traditional ELW service of Holy Communion in the Chapel of the Incarnation and on YouTube. Our preacher is Dr. Mark Tranvik. Stay for treats at the Chapel Cafe afterwards.
  • Thursday 11:00am – Lunch Church led by the RIC Advocacy Group in Dining Room A
  • Thursday 7:00pm – Virtual Vespers on Zoom
  • Friday intercessory prayer on Zoom