Tag Archives: Lenten Devotional

Renewed Strength and Faith

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This is the fifth entry in the UCCDM Lenten Devotional 2016 series. This devotional reflection comes from Dr. Nadyne Guzmán. Her bio can be found on the Board of Directors Page. This devotional reflects the views of the author and not the views of UCCDM.

“O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.  Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.  So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.  My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”  (Psalm 63: 1 – 8)

As I read this passage, what comes to my mind is how many times I have experienced this amazing experience of loving God — of having my body, mind, and spirit be filled up with the joy and awe of knowing I am part of this wondrous Mystery.  However, what I have to admit is that there have been many times in my life when the struggles with the limitations of my body and mind have taken me to a point of incredible frustration.  Then there have been the times when I have succumbed to deep depression and accompanying despair.  In those times life feels just too hard to bear, and daily tasks seem impossible.  That’s when I forget the joy of my connection to God and the constant Presence that has always upheld me, even in my darkest hours.

I know I’m not alone in this.  I’ve talked with many others who struggle with physical and/or neurological disabilities and/or mental illness.  And it’s not just the internal struggle or the endeavor to get through the seemingly small tasks of life — it’s the estrangement from family, friends, and even strangers who just don’t understand and who cast judgment without grace.

Many of us admit that it’s all too easy to slip into self-pity and to forget that God’s steadfast love is always present.  And when we remind each other that our challenges are also our blessings — that they have helped us become even more compassionate with others who carry their own struggles with life — we help each other remember to give thanks for the steadfast love of our Creator whose right hand upholds us in all things.  And through this common understanding I find myself praising God once again, feeling renewed strength and faith, and allowing the One Love to fill me once again to overflowing.

Prayer:  Dear and precious Creator, help me remember each day to be ever mindful of your steadfast love, of my interconnection with those who understand and those who do not, and of your Presence in Grace that sustains us all as One.

Imitation

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This is the third entry in the UCCDM Lenten Devotional 2016 series. This devotional reflection comes from Dr. Jimmy Watson Pastor if Immanuel UCC in Ferguson, Missouri.. This devotional reflects the views of the author and not the views of UCCDM.

“Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” (Philippians 3:17)

These days we talk much about privilege. White, male, heterosexual privilege. The privilege of wealth, height, and beauty. The list is long and yet not long enough to include my 20-year-old stepdaughter who was born with mental disabilities, including finding a spot on the autism spectrum. Megan’s only privilege is that she will live most, if not all, of her life in close proximity to her family. She will never, however, enjoy the privileges of meaningful work or marriage and raising children. For Megan, the operative word is “limitation” rather than “imitation.”

Most of us seek to imitate those who have been successful in one way or another, even when we do not have the same privileged starting point. We want to imitate those with successful careers or those who have significant talents, even when the odds are stacked against us because of our family of origin, limited resources, or lack of acumen or natural abilities.

Megan’s attempts to imitate those who are an example of how to live is limited to very simple tasks such as sweeping floors, wiping off countertops, and making her bed in the morning—tasks that give her enormous satisfaction and a taste of wholeness.

While most people would not consider imitating those with physical and mental limitations, I have learned in my brief stint as Megan’s stepparent that she sets an example for the rest of us in ways that the privileged are hesitant to admit: utter humility without a speck of pomposity, no desire to leave a heavy carbon footprint on the environment, a childlike curiosity that knows no limitations, and finally, an unconditional love for her family, friends, and caretakers with a default setting of forgiveness.

There is no arrogance, materialism, close-mindedness, or grudges in Megan’s world. It is a world of wonder, love, and simplicity. Knowing her has been a true privilege.

Prayer—Dear God, we might be limited in who we are called to imitate, so we give thanks for those souls who offer us examples of how to be human in ways that never crossed our privileged minds. Amen.

 

No Demon

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This is the fourth entry in the UCCDM Lenten Devotional 2016 series. This devotional reflection comes from Mr. Robert Kates member of Cathedral of Hope, UCC in Dallas, TX and student at Brite Divinity School, working on a ThM in Pastoral Care. This devotional reflects the views of the author and not the views of UCCDM.

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, ‘Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.’ Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.’ While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God. Luke 9:37 – 43a.

Today we continue to relearn Epilepsy, this disease that inhibits life experiences, frightens strangers, and can cause death. The author of Luke, writes in the context of their time. When someone fell on the ground convulsing and foaming at the mouth, they were obviously possessed by a demon. No wonder Jesus’ disciples could not cast out the boy’s ‘demon.’

Today we realize the boy had no demon. He had Epilepsy. And perhaps the boy stopped convulsing when Jesus prayed over him, being cured or not. There is still no cure for this disease. I truly want to believe Jesus cured the boy. For I agree with Luke 9:43, “And all were astounded at the greatness of God.” God still amazes every day.

Through the advancement of our God given intellect, scientists and physicians have created drug therapies for Epilepsy that can lessen its outwards affects, resulting in less harm and stigma placed on those effected.

Unfortunately today, some people still consider convulsions and foaming at the mouth, as being possessed by a demon. Some even refuse modern medical care to treat this disease.

Jesus’ disciples could not cast out the demon, however nearly two thousand years later, our human abilities to bring comfort and remission of this disease to those less fortunate has excelled. Perhaps not like Jesus, our efforts cannot cure as yet. However I do believe that someday a cure will be found. “…for [through] God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Fear Not

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This is the second entry in the UCCDM Lenten Devotional 2016 series. This devotional reflection comes from Mr. JR Jasper. This devotional reflects the views of the author and not the views of UCCDM.

“After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”  Genesis 15:1

Whenever, I come across the words, “Be not afraid” or “Fear Not” in scripture, I know that something dramatic has happened or will happen in the next verse or two.  Maybe wars will cease, mountains will move, or the sea will part and violent winds will calm  Usually God is welcoming someone into a covenant. At the very least, I can always count on an important life lesson.

These never ending lessons are in abundant supply as I live and work through Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, a group of inherited degenerative disorders.  These rare disorders are marked by progressive weakness and severe spasticity.  Imagine my fear when I awoke several years ago and was unable to walk or stand for several weeks.  I could only crawl.  I became very afraid as I envisioned a reality of crawling through the rest of my life.  Helplessness was not only my emotion, but it became my shield.

The church folks tried to comfort me by offering payer guides and holy water, but I was having none of it.  As I spent time adjusting to my new reality of being an African American man in the rural south who’s primary mode of movement was crawling, I also needed to learn how to become a practitioner of faith, bringing my fears before the alter as my only offering.  Eventually I did learn to walk again with the assistance of a brilliant physical therapist and a walker, but I’m still learning as I move through the many insurance claims, denial letters, and reimbursement check.  I am learning to be humbled by my own limitations and grateful for the generosity of family and friends. My biggest lesson has been the new found covenant with God that encourages me to be not afraid and fear not.  I now look forward to moving through each new day however He sees fit.

Prayer:  Lord help me to remember that after these things, our reward shall be great.

UCCDM Lenten Devotional- What Are Ashes For?

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This is the first entry in the UCCDM Lenten Devotional 2016 series. This devotional reflection comes from Dr. Kevin Pettit for Ash Wednesday. His bio cam be found on the Board of Directors page.

Joel 2:1-2, 12:17
1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—
2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.
12 Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.
17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations.Why should it be said among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

Even though we live in a very different context than the author of the book of Joel, his call for repentance still sounds loudly in today’s world. For, indeed, is not our world today at least partly filled with gloom, clouds, and thick darkness? The similarity of the present times of difficulty to those described in the book of Joel account for the resonance of these Biblical texts. So, too, do we sense the need to withdraw somehow, reflect on our lives, and struggle with our call in this world just as Jesus did during his extended time of isolation that we commemorate during Lent. A time of penitential preparation – a time of self-examination, prayer, fasting, and works of love – in preparation for our remembrance of the betrayal and cross of Jesus, as well as the resurrection of the living Christ, will profit our spirits. We hope that your Lenten journey might be aided by these Reflections and the consideration of their meaning and import in our lives today.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent which, in many churches, is commemorated by anointing one’s forehead with ashes as a reminder of one’s mortality. The crude and dark mess of these ashes – a form of matter similar to the eventual form that our bodies take after we die – is a fitting remembrance of disorder in our lives. But are not such scars of imperfection the very marks of our humanity?

While everyone’s particular set of challenges is unique – sometimes being as apparent as a missing limb and at other times being as hidden as diabetes – we each share more or less common challenges of body, mind, and spirit much like the ashes marking our foreheads at the beginning of Lent. However, even after washing ourselves clean of these ashes, we all need to learn to live productively with the imperfections that mark us as children of God.

To do this, we can set aside some time daily during this time of Lent to study and reflect upon the Bible or other sacred texts, reflect on our needs and struggles, our intentions and our actions, and our effect on family, friends, and all others. As we are called to embody Christ, we must take the time to consider how we might best promote the construction of the city of God. Such meditative times can serve to prepare our spirits for the work ahead.

Let us begin on this Lenten effort boldly and with strength!

Call for UCCDM Lenten Reflections

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UCC Disability Ministries Seeks Lenten Reflections

     Last year the UCC Disabilities Ministries Board posted Lenten reflections to their website and this will be done again in 2016.  These reflections will be based on the Lenten lectionary and will be provided for Ash Wednesday, the six (6) Sundays in Lent, as well as Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.  These eleven (11) reflections should offer views of the biblical texts as understood through the lens of disability, providing new and/or alternate ways to preach, teach, reflect upon, or pray over familiar passages of the Bible.  These reflections should be written by people with disabilities or by people with significant knowledge of persons with disabilities.  As Lent again approaches in 2016, we hope to provide these resources to assist pastors and parishioners, church leaders, and pastoral caregivers in their Lenten studies, preaching, work, and caregiving.

We invite those who wish to write similar reflections this year to choose a date below and submit your reflection to: submissions@uccdm.org by the deadlines listed.  Please note that we encourage all forms of expression including works containing graphic works, and audio or visual works.

Note that in order to to be considered for the UCCDM Lenten reflections, all submissions must address the text through a lens of disability.

Thank you in advance for your submission.

Dr. Kevin Pettit and Rev. Susan Burns for the UCC Disabilities Ministries Board

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Instructions for the UCCDM Lenten Reflections:

  • Entries must be based on the Revised Common Lectionary
  • Maximum number of words:  500 (preferred length of approximately 250 words)
  • Quotations of others’ work is not permitted
  • Format:  word doc, Google doc, email text
  • Authors will not receive compensation for their reflections
  • Authors will be notified if selected

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Dates and deadlines for reflections and submissions:

 

Ash Wednesday:  Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:  Joel 2:1 – 2, 12 – 17, Isaiah 58:1 – 12, Psalm 51:1 – 17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10, Matthew 6:1 – 6, 16 – 21.

Submission due Jan. 30

 

First Sunday of Lent:  Sunday, February 14, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:   Deuteronomy 26:1 – 11, Psalm 91:1 – 2, 9 – 16, Romans 10:8b -1 3, Luke 4:1 – 13.

Submission due Feb. 04

 

Second Sunday of Lent:  Sunday, February 21, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:   Genesis 15:1 – 12, 17 – 18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17 – 4:1, Luke 13:31 – 35, Luke 9:28 – 36, (37 – 43a).

Submission due Feb. 11

 

Third Sunday in Lent:  Sunday, February 28, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:  Isaiah 55:1 – 9, Psalm 63:1 – 8, 1 Corinthians 10:1 – 13, Luke 13:1 – 9.

Submission due Feb. 18

 

Fourth Sunday in Lent:  Sunday, March 6, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:   Joshua 5:9 – 12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16 – 21, Luke 15:1 – 3, 11b – 32. 

Submission due Feb. 25

 

Fifth Sunday in Lent:  Sunday, March 13, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:   Isaiah 43:16 – 21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b – 14, John 12:1 – 8.

Submission due Mar. 3

 

Palm Sunday:  Sunday, March 20, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:  Isaiah 50:4 – 9a, Psalm 31:9 – 16, Philippians 2:5 – 11, Luke 22:14 – 23:56, Luke 23:1 – 49.

Submission due Mar. 10

 

Maundy Thursday:  Thursday, March 24, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:  Exodus 12:1 – 4, (5 – 10), 11 – 14, Psalm 116:1 – 2, 12 – 19, 1 Corinthians 11:23 – 26, John 13:1 – 17, 31b -35.

Submission due Mar. 10

 

Good Friday:  Friday, March 25, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:  Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12,  Psalm 22,  Hebrews 10:16 – 25, Hebrews 4:14 – 16; 5:7 – 9, or John 18:1 – 19:42.

Submission due Mar. 10

 

Holy Saturday:  Saturday, March 26, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:  Job 14:1 – 14, Lamentations 3:1 – 9, 19 – 24, Psalm 31:1 – 4, 15 – 16, 1 Peter 4:1 – 8, Matthew 27:57 – 66, or John 19:38 – 42. 

Submission due Mar. 10

 

Easter Sunday:  Sunday, March 27, 2016

Possible Lectionary Readings:  Acts 10:34 – 43, Isaiah 65:17 – 25, Psalm 118:1 – 2, 14 – 24, 1 Corinthians 15:19 – 26, Acts 10:34 – 43, John 20:1 – 18, Luke 24:1 – 12.

Submission due Mar. 10

 

A Devotion for Easter Sunday

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This is the seventh entry in the UCCDM Lenten Devotional 2015. This reflection for Easter Sunday comes to us from Rev.Craig Modahl who is  the current Treasurer of UCCDM. His bio can be found on the Board of Directors page. 

Mark 16:1-8

16:1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.

16:2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.

16:3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”

16:4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.

16:5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

16:6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.

16:7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.”

16:8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.

My best friend Kevin had been placed in a large state institution at the age of eight. He had a developmental disability. He didn’t speak and would sometimes become aggressive when he was frustrated. He was heavily medicated to control his behaviors. He needed help with all of his personal care. He had no connections to his biological family. For 16 years he lived in a place set aside from meaningful relationships, from family, from friends, and from a home he could call his own.

As a result of some strong advocacy, in the early 1980’s the state began to reduce the number of people living in institutions. At 24 years old, Kevin was relocated to a small group home near where he was born. There, he shared a home with three other men in a residential neighborhood. He made connections with people who became committed to helping him find his place in life. He was welcomed back into the community.

It was as if a stone had been rolled away. A barrier to life had been removed. He was able to leave the darkness, the separateness, the isolation of an institution and begin a new life in community.

On Easter morning we rejoice at the sight of the empty tomb. This is the morning that we have anticipated. It is the morning that we have longed for. It is a time to celebrate as our hearts are lifted from the dark depths of the tomb to the light of a new day. It is the day that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb had been emptied.

For many people with disabilities there is a heavy stone that must be pushed aside more than one time. It is an encounter that is experienced each and everyday. It is a stubborn, rigid barrier that separates, excludes, divides and isolates. It seems impossible to move at times. It saps energy, stifles meaning, shades light, and prevents connection.

But the stone is not disability. It is not dementia, depression, hearing loss, brain injury, developmental disability, loss of a limb, or visual impairment. It is not autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, paralysis, or epilepsy. The stone is the perception of inadequacy, the stigma of misunderstanding, the assumption of pity, or the imposition of otherness. It is the barrier to inclusion, welcome and embrace. It is that stone that must be moved and may one day be shattered, pulverized into dust and carried away on the winds of acceptance, openness and love.

As people with disabilities, advocates, friends and family, we sometimes ask “Who will roll away the stone for us . . . ?” We aren’t sure we have the strength to do it on our own. Will there be anyone to help? But we follow the example of the three women and don’t let that question deter us from our mission. We move forward with hope and determination.

In Mark’s Gospel this question is asked but it is not answered: Who did roll the stone away? The gardener? The angels? How about Jesus? Was anyone else around? Or could it have been all of them together? Why not? We need to gather all who can help move those stones again and again and again.

Kevin’s move out of the institution and into the community was a first and a heavy stone to move. There were many more stones that followed. But there were also many people in his life to help him push them to the side. Over the years Kevin gained friends, was welcomed as a family member, and was known not for his disability but for his character, his laugh, his embrace and, especially, his friendship.

God of the empty tomb, we have experienced the darkness, the isolation, and the cold of the tomb. It has drained our souls, weakened our bodies and chilled our hearts. But this morning, this Easter morning we can shout “Alleluia!” as the warmth and light of new life calls us from the depths and brings us into communion with you and all your people. Help us to embrace one another, to leave no stone standing as a barrier to full inclusion, participation and welcome. Alleluia and Amen!