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Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. (Philippians 3: 17-4:1) Reflection I am one of those non-competitive types who nonetheless will cheer for whatever team is mine at the time. And over the past 20 years there have been a lot of teams. My daughter played softball so there were many teams along the way – Go White Sox! and Go Raiders! and Go Blazers! My son, on the other hand, has playing been in or directing the band for football or basketball teams - Go Zips! and Go Tigers! Now I even cheer, Go Huskies! and Go Green Bay! for the teams of the significant others in my kids’ lives. And yes, I dress in team colors. That’s a lot of combinations to have had on hand: black and white, red and blue, red and white, blue and gold, orange and black, purple and black, green and yellow. And there will be more teams, more cheers and more colors ahead. Yet, whatever team I am identifying with at the time – Blazers, Zips, Tigers or Huskies – the bottom line is my identity is in Christ. My citizenship is in heaven. I am subject to Christ and beloved. So, I stand firm and cheer for that! --Ruth Gates Prayer Dear God, whatever challenges I face in life, remind me I am yours and I can stand firm beloved by you. Amen Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Lent, we focus on baptismal identity and the consequent amendment of life.
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