St. Nicolai Notes

EXCHANGES ON THE WAY: LENTEN PRAYERS
Day 37: 7th Wednesday
Mark 15:1-15

     It's always out of "self-interest" that we resist You, betray You, deny You, and abandon You Jesus. It's always out of self-interest, at least when we make a conscious decision about what we are doing. We are just as likely to slip away from You in unconscious ways because we have not allowed our hearts and minds to be thoroughly shaped by your word and your values.
     You offer to transform our lives and our world completely, but we only want a measure of your involvement. We only want to cede a portion of our lives to your guidance. We may say otherwise, but we tend to give ourselves to You spasmodically, inconsistently. Most days You do not receive the devotion of all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are otherwise preoccupied.
     Though we haven't sued for your death, as some of your opponents did, we resist your forgiving, healing, liberating way. We resist doing justice and acting kindly to all. We refuse to love our enemies.
     Unfortunately, what we perceive as in our own self-interest often damages us and separates us from the blessing, joy, and peace that You offer. Forgive us. Help us to see ourselves clearly. Help us to see our true needs and perceive that it is by your grace that they are met. Help us to recognize our true gifts and use them in fruitful ways that transcend narrow self-interest and enrich the lives of others. Unite us fully with your mission of bringing every dimension of reality into congruence with God's will. Amen.