LIVING, LEARNING & LOVING during LENT
Lenten devotionals for March and April. We will focus on a different concept each day of the week: Sundays: Resting/Taking Sabbath Mondays: Fasting Tuesdays: Giving Wednesdays: Serving Thursdays: Praying Fridays: Studying/Learning Saturdays: Celebrating/Playing.
April 12 (Saturday – Celebrating/Playing)
- Scripture: Luke 15:23-24 – “And let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
- Reflection: When spontaneous, celebration becomes an outward expression of inner emotional and spiritual states. On the other hand, familiar rituals and milestones can elicit the capacity to revel and appreciate and connect. Either way, our God asks us to participate in rituals and festivals and meals and dances and songs and other gatherings that are rooted in reflection, appreciation, and joy.
Do you prefer impromptu celebrations and adventures, or ones that are planned with formality, ritual, and protocol? Do you like noise and chaos or intimacy and simplicity? How do you experience these different kinds of events? With whom do you prefer to keep company for personal milestones, and for other life moments that may involve colleagues, classmates, or peers in a certain groups or communities? What is usually your role? Are you out front, livening up the party? Are you in the background, taking care of details and making sure it all takes place? Are you a guest or an organizer? A participant or a catalyst?
Celebration can be private and solo, yet often it becomes relational. It reinforces our connection with others. It opens our connection to God, as we gain perspective from moments when we let go, feel good, and experience renewal. Celebration and fun provide spiritual balance in our lives. - Spiritual Practice Prompt: Plan a gathering or celebration with family or friends—this could be a meal, an outing, or a game night to savor God’s playful presence in your life. Add a communal blessing to the event so that you’re mindful of God’s presence and grace, which allows such moments to take place.
Song:
- Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now by McFadden & Whitehead: https://youtu.be/i2FW1WJc0lg
- Best Day of My Life by American Authors: https://youtu.be/0fTUj9mfnUk?si=GIdIj9WdTPAqUAxC
- I’m Still Standing by Elton John: https://youtu.be/ZHwVBirqD2s?si=_EZjHPaPmHbFDic-
Life should not only be lived; it should be celebrated. – Osho.
April 12th Daily Devotional