St. Nicolai Notes

EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 11: Second Monday
Mark 9:30-37

     Jesus, Rabbi, we can imagine the difficulty of finding a place away from the crowds who longed for your attention and touch, since we long for those too. As we listen in on your instruction to them, we are less confused, less dismayed than they were because we listen from the other end of the story.
     Still, we ask, "Did you really have to die?"  If so, "Why?"  And our questioning is not calmed by theological arguments such as: "Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin," We wish there had been another way to overcome sin, defeat powers, and bring God's reign on earth as in heaven. We imagine that God could have done so without your abuse, suffering and death, which, even now, brings us shame.
     And though we celebrate resurrection as the heart of our faith, we still ask, "How?" and struggle to define it in terms of our "scientific" view of the world, which leaves little room for that which cannot be proven in experimental ways.
     Help us to order our lives by your instruction, even when we find it challenging and raise questions about it. Help us to trust You enough to keep on walking with You and obeying your word even when the way becomes difficult and even deadly. Amen.