Today is the National Day of Prayer. Typically, our Senior Saints would have hosted a meal and invited a guest speaker to explore more nuances and insights about prayer, but due to COVID-19, we had to cancel. But thanks to technology, we can still glean from and listen together for God’s abiding presence in our lives. Follow along as Pastor Barrett introduces us to the Examen. This ancient, Jesuit prayer practice can still be used today.

The dynamic between Peter and the Beloved Disciple is something worth tracking in John’s Gospel. The two play a tit-for-tat game the whole gospel with the Beloved Disciple edging Peter out for most of the story . . . until John 21. There’s a rise in consciousness for Peter. Life is not about competition but rather about love. This lesson is for all of us.

Jesus shows up in Galilee unexpectedly. The disciples are fishing on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus makes a charcoal fire awaiting their catch of fish. They catch nothing until Jesus calls out to them. What he says at that moment is a rise in the consciousness of the disciples is for all of us for all time. If you want a sneak peek into what he says, it’s in verse five.

Thomas has to touch Jesus before he believes. Thankfully, Jesus meets Thomas in his doubt and we see Thomas's character unfold in a way that mimics all of our lives. His faith deepens and we see a rise in his (and our) consciousness. Thomas’ doubt leads him to a deeper form of faith . . . ours can too.

Why are we weeping? To be asked this question . . . and to answer it honestly . . . is not faithless. It’s truthful and it’s loving, and it’s a good place for faith to begin.

Three scenes in John 19 show us how the cross unifies all people to God. Once you see this truth, you can’t unsee it.

Palm Sunday remembers the palms reserved for Pilate were used for Jesus.

The Path of Descent leads us to the Spirit of Christ. And as Paul says, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When we pursue God . . . there is no condemnation. Paul says, “We become more than conquerors through him who loved us” which means we experience unconditional grace.

It’s hard to go down this Path of Descent and to claim Beauty for Ashes. Our flesh wants to hold on to sin. Paul goes as far to say we are enslaved to this pattern. “For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right but I cannot do it.” To truly become more like Christ, we must wrestle with this inner conflict and realize when left to our own devices, we sin and fall short.

The Path of Descent is best described through the ritual of baptism. When we go through the waters, we descend . . . dying to our old selves . . . crucifying our sin unto Christ . . . and rising in grace. Our ashes become redeemed when we become crucified with Christ.

When we take the path of descent seriously . . . we see a theological truth that surpasses understanding: Grace. Like Adam who came into the world and introduced sin . . . Jesus came into the world and introduced grace. Scripture says, “But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.” In other words, when we move towards Christ . . . grace abounds.

Lent reminds us: We’re finite. We’re going to die. We’re made up of just dust . . . but that’s not all bad. Because that dust . . . it’s the same material as that which the stars are made . . . and that dust . . . it clings.

“You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecutor you . . . For if you love this who love you, what rewards you have?” Christians who claim to be salt and light in the world must show the world what it means to love beyond reward. Learning this lesson is not easy.

What good is our offering if it’s tainted? This is Jesus’ message for those of us who worship pretending we are reconciled with our enemies or our families. People of salt and light understand the importance of reconciliation and take seriously Jesus’ pronunciation, “Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”