This Lent we follow Jesus as he faces evil in the hours before his death. What is evil? Who is doing evil against Jesus during Passion Week? What are ways in which we are complicit in evil? Do we take evil seriously? As we experience evil in our own lives, discover how Jesus stands in the face of evil.
Invocation
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, who delivers us from all evil.
Invitation Prayer
Lord, evil often comes from those closest to us. Peter denied you and Judas betrayed you. You know the pain of evil that comes from your friends. Comfort us when we are hurt by those we love. Lord Jesus, without you we fall. With you, we stand. Stay with us, Amen.
Word
Luke 22:24
“A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered greatest.”
Meditation: Pride by Susan Senechal
My grandson’s’ favorite book right now is “The Little Blue Truck.” Little Blue gently beeps his horn at everyone he passes, “the friendliest sound you ever hear,” a gentle “hello, how are you?” to the toad, the horse, the goat. But then a great big dump truck comes barreling down the road. “’Honk,’ says the Dump, “I’m coming through. I’ve big important things to do. I haven’t got time to pass the day with every duck along the way.’” Dump soon finds himself stuck in the muck and the mire of a huge mud puddle, and he cannot budge.
How many times has our own pride, our own selfish ambition or self-importance led us straight into the muck and mire as well? It certainly made its way into the Upper Room as Jesus and his disciples met to celebrate the Passover. An evening that began with Jesus saying, “I have eagerly desired to share this Passover with you before I suffer,” (Luke 22:15) quickly devolves into an argument around the table about which disciple is the greatest. It’s selfish ambition, dissensions among brothers, pride, straight from the list in Galatians 5, the list of the acts of the sinful nature. And it’s evil. The disciples don’t seem to care about the suffering that Jesus will soon face…they just want to know which of them is the king of the mountain.
How many of our own dinner tables have been invaded by pride? Maybe it’s outright bragging. Or maybe more subtle actions which say, “my time is more valuable than yours,” or “I’m more important than you…I’ve big important things to do.” And soon we fail to listen to the heart of those we are sharing life with.
One of the problems with pride is it leaves us thinking we are big enough, strong enough, independent enough to conquer the world alone, and that in fact we don’t need a savior. A two year old can be heard saying, “I do myself.” The attitude of the proud heart is the same. Jesus confronts this evil by telling the disciples that the greatest among them are those who serve, who care more about others than self. He washes their feet and he prays for them. His ultimate act of service will come in 24 hours, as he sacrifices himself completely by giving his life on the cross.
Dear Jesus, I am guilty. I am overcome with pride. And I am in a pit. I cannot save myself. Help me to listen to the people around me, to serve them with a humble heart. And Jesus, let me see that I cannot save myself, but rather I need a savior. I need you, Jesus. Amen.
Sending
Lord, in the face of evil, you call us from death to life, from silence to speech, from idleness to action. Go with us now. Send us with your gifts. Sustain us by your promise. Amen.