Scripture Readings
- Hosea 14:1-9
- Psalm 81:6-10,13,16
- Mark 12:28-34
A Call to True Repentance (Hosea 14:1-9)
Lent is a season of returning—returning to God with contrite hearts, seeking His mercy and restoration. The prophet Hosea calls Israel to repentance, urging them to turn from their sins and find healing in God:
"Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!" (Hosea 14:1)
This is the heart of Lent—a time to acknowledge our failures and surrender to the transforming grace of God. He promises to heal our backsliding, love us freely, and cause us to flourish like a tree planted by streams of water.
Today, let us reflect: Are there areas in our lives where we have strayed from God's path? Have we sought comfort in things that cannot satisfy? The Lord is calling us back with open arms, ready to restore us if we return in humility and trust.
God’s Longing for His People (Psalm 81:6-10, 13, 16)
In Psalm 81, God reminds His people of how He delivered them from oppression, lifting their burdens and providing for their needs. He says:
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it." (Psalm 81:10)
Yet, He laments over their stubbornness:
"Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would follow my ways!" (Psalm 81:13)
Lent is a time to ask ourselves: Are we truly listening to God? Do we trust Him to fill us with all we need, or are we chasing after empty substitutes? If we surrender to Him, He promises to satisfy us with "the finest of wheat" and "honey from the rock" (Psalm 81:16)—spiritual nourishment that can only be found in Him.
The Greatest Commandment: Love God and Love Others (Mark 12:28-34)
When a scribe asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, Jesus responded:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself." There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
Lent is not just about fasting or self-denial; it is about reordering our hearts to love God fully and love others selflessly. The more we draw closer to God in prayer, fasting, and charity, the more we become like Him—compassionate, forgiving, and full of grace.
As we journey through this Lenten season, let us examine:
- Are we loving God with our whole heart, or are we holding back?
- Are we demonstrating His love to others through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and service?
Jesus tells the scribe that living out this love brings us "not far from the kingdom of God." May this be our goal—not just outward religious practices but a transformed heart that reflects God's love in all we do.
Conclusion: A Renewed Heart for the Journey
On this 21st day of Lent, let us take time to return fully to the Lord, listen to His voice, and commit ourselves to loving Him and others more deeply.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we return to You with all our hearts. Heal our waywardness, satisfy us with Your presence, and teach us to love as You love. May our Lenten journey bring us closer to You, that we may live as true reflections of Your grace and truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Stay steadfast in your Lenten journey, for God is calling you deeper into His love. Return, listen, and love.
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