Monday, March 29, 2010

Our Sacrifice - A Meditation for Monday In Holy Week 2010


The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:17 (NRSV)

During Lent and now during Holy Week we walk with Jesus, remembering his forty days of temptation. Yesterday we read of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, followed by arrest, interrogation, torture and crucifixion. We heard about every day people in extraordinary times and situations. Some failed when God called, some responded above and beyond expectation, and many, many more didn't even realize God was calling. All were human, all were imperfect... Just like you and me.

So if we are just as human, just as broken (and, yes, just as saved) what are we to do? We offer a sacrifice, just as the psalmist says: the sacrifice of our broken spirit. Our broken and contrite hearts are not despised. No. They are taken by God and mended, made whole, forgiven!

This Holy Week take your heart, your broken spirit and hold it, ready it, bring it to God. And on Easter Sunday bring yourself, and your heart, mends, tears, and all the rest of it, to celebrate Christ's resurrection!

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