n an episode of the television series “Young Sheldon” the famously germophobic child genius is hospitalized overnight following emergency gallbladder surgery. Due to his anxiety about the setting in which he finds himself, Sheldon is unable to fall asleep. His harassed and aggravated nurse suggests he try counting sheep. Sheldon acknowledges the suggestion but reports the intervention would be ineffective for him. He is afraid of barnyard animals.
ELCA World Hunger invites us to study, pray, reflect, and give during Lent – for our families, our neighbors, and communities around the world. We’ll post daily messages on our St. Luke’s Instagram from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Follow @stlukespr on Instagram to join the conversation!
Dear St. Luke’s partners,
The Lord be with you in these holy days. “Ash Wednesday” is known as the poet T.S.Eliot’s “conversion” poem, written after he joined the Anglican church in 1927. It goes deeply into the tension between spiritual barrenness and his hope for salvation of all things. We live in that tension, and on Ash Wednesday bare on our foreheads both brokenness and death, yet cruciform baptismal hope.
Ash Wednesday on February 22nd marks the beginning of Lent, which is a season of preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Several opportunities for worship and fellowship are offered. All are welcome.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain.” So begins the account of the Transfiguration of our Lord according to Matthew. What follows is the amazing vision of Jesus, bathed in light and glory, accompanied by Moses and Elijah. For a brief, shining moment, the identity of Jesus as God’s beloved Son is confirmed. It was a strengthening of faith for both Jesus and the disciples. We are meant to see ourselves on this mountain, to have our own faith made stronger, to see that our confidence in Jesus is confirmed.
Gun violence in our country is a public health crisis. This year (as of February 4) there have been 4,297 gun violence deaths, including 2,442 suicides. There have been 107 gun deaths resulting from the defensive use of a weapon. There have been 60 mass shootings. (Source: Gun Violence Archive)