Lenten Devotion • March 11
Today's Scripture
1 John 1:1–10
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (NRSV)
Reflection
I love to read the Bible and know the messages. That happened when I read “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
The truth is, I am a sinner. I am far from perfect. But I love hearing those verses, and I hear them often in services. Reading them brings particular voices to my mind’s ear.
Hearing words and recognizing them is like hearing music and being able to play or sing along. I’ve felt that when reading in church as a lay liturgist — which means practicing what to say and how to say it. I hadn’t prepared many readings before I recognized that I was practicing a different instrument (my voice, not my cello).
If you’re not sure about memorizing words (or, in the evocative British phrase, committing them to memory), think of a hymn you enjoy. It’s great to read the music or the words, but isn’t it even better not to need them?
If we’re singing in the darkened Sanctuary, or if you’re singing in your darkened home, fumbling for music doesn’t help. Familiar music is so important.
The same thing goes for familiar words. When life’s at the lowest, many of us know from experience the comfort of reciting Psalm 23. I’ve always liked that in the Communion service at Fourth Church we use the King James Version. I learned that “by heart” first.
But we repeat verses to remember them. If you’ve attended or watched a service at Fourth Church, you know Isaiah 40:8: The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of our God shall stand forever.
Prayer
Dear God, we praise you for the gift of memory. It is how we learn, from the days when we said, “Read it again!” Repetition creates memories we can use for whatever comes next. Thank you. Amen.
Written by Margaret Laing, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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