As we walk through the season of Lent together, announce to the world that the Hope of Christ makes a new season possible – a SEASON OF HOPE. Learn more about how your congregation can give, assemble, worship and pray with Lutheran World Relief this Lenten season.
This weekly devotional series is written by Lutherans in the U.S. and LWR staff around the world reflecting on their faith, which calls them to proclaim hope for those in need.
March 6: A New Way
“If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:9-10
Lutheran World Relief Vice President for External Relations and Engagement, Geri Sicola, reflects on God's call to call to a “new way” of fasting, piety and alms-giving.
March 13: Light
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
Martha Piedrasanta reflects on how God's light shines through all of us, and how that light can transform lives.
March 20: The best food of all
“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” Isaiah 55:2
In this reflection, Chris Mummert challenges us to see beyond personal gain and, instead, focus on how we might use our God-given gifts to build stronger communities.
March 27: Surprising Love
“So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20
Patti Ross challenges us to reflect on the grace—the surprising love—that we receive from our own Father in heaven, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and how that grace and love might move us to share surprising love with other people around the world.
April 3: Always with us
"Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 'Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?' (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.'" John 12:1-8
In this reflection, Wendi Bevins, Lutheran World Relief Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager, reflects on what it means for the poor to always be with us - and how we, as people of God - are called to respond.
April 10: Toward the cross
“I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!” Psalm 118:21-25
In this reflection, Katharine Spencer reflects on how we move from the joy of Palm Sunday, into Holyl Week - toward the cross and life risen anew.
April 17: Serve
“After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.’” John 13:12-15
In this reflection, Loretta Ishida reflects on ways - big and small, glamorous and "behind the scenes" we serve as foot washers to one another as we live out our God-given calling.
April 19: Motivate
As Holy Week draws to a close, Audrey Riley reflects on how we can gather around the cross and, in the light of Jesus’ grace, motivate one another to ever-greater love and good deeds.