Day 21

Scripture: Ps 119, 81, 82; Jeremiah 8:18—9:6; Romans 5:1-11; John 8:12-20


Scripture standout: Ps 119 (wow, now that's a doozie of a Psalm!) 96: "⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless."


Ps 81: "¹⁰ I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it."


Romans 5: 2 "And we^[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."


John 18: "¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”


Morning thoughts: So is going to New York — the capitol of all things unnecessary and over-the-top and gluttonous and pleasurable — a total contradiction to this Lenten study? I hope not, and I don't think so. Remember, New York didn't rank too high on the list of cities where people look out for one another. I seem to recall that study showed if you dropped a pen on the street, there was a very small chance someone would pick it up, find you and return it. To me, that says there are plenty of Good Samaratin-ing opportunities awaiting! But the first Psalm reading also gives me some perspective: there's a limit to the "perfection," or the opulence, that is so prevalent in places like New York. There are fine experiences and items — but there shine doesn't last forever. God's commands, the deeds he has waiting for all of us are "boundless." His work, and the joy that comes along with it, have no limit and last forever. In other words, I will enjoy the new stage performance or that 2 p.m. French cheese break between NoLita boutique hopping. And that's fine! But I also know there is a greater joy, a boundless joy, that doesn't even compare to the baubles on display in each window. And hopefully, God willing, I will have the eyes to see some of them during this year's trip to New York.