Lent, Day Twenty-Five, Third Saturday of Lent

Lent, Day Twenty-Five, Third Saturday of Lent
Jesus presents to us the great mystery of the descending way. It is the way of suffering, but also the way to healing. It is the way of humiliation, but also the way to resurrection. It is the way of tears, but of tears that turn into tears of joy...

The descending way of love, the way to the poor, the broken, and oppressed becomes the ascending way of love, the way of joy, peace and new life. The cross is transformed from a sign of defeat into a sign of victory, from a sign of despair into a sign of hope, from a sign of death into a sign of life...

Each one of us has to seek out his or her own descending way of love... The descending way is a way that is concealed in each person's heart. But because it is so seldom walked on, it is often overgrown with weeds. Slowly but surely we have to clear the weeds, open the way, and set out on it unafraid.

Henri J.M. Nouwen
Letters to Marc About Jesus, pg 50

Scripture:

 ^4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

 ^5:1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

1 Peter 4:12, 5:1-5

PRAYER
God of many mercies, help me find the way of descent the way of humility, of tears, of suffering, of hiddenness. I am often the one who wants to be the "center of attention," the "star of the show,"the "leader of the band;' the "first in line." In a world that values winning above all, I have trouble knowing that you changed the rules, that as the cross is transformed from a sign of death into an emblem of life, I must seek the lowly path in order to reach the heights of eternal happiness. Keep your light  before me always.Amen.

LENTEN ACTION
Give up the upper hand today. Let someone ahead of you in the, checkout line, give someone else the right of way in traffic, give credit to someone else.