First Tuesday of Lent

28 February 2012

Our story today is about God's call to Abram.
The scriptural parallel for this story can be found in Genesis 12.

"Behold, the entire land is before your eyes. Withdraw from me, I beg you. If you will go to the left, I will take the right. If you choose the right, I will pass to the left.” And so Lot, lifting up his eyes, saw all the region around the Jordan, which was thoroughly irrigated, before the Lord overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It was like the Paradise of the Lord, and it was like Egypt, approaching toward Zoar. And Lot chose for himself the region around the Jordan, and he withdrew by way of the east. And they were divided, one brother from the other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan. In truth, Lot stayed in the towns that were around the Jordan, and he lived in Sodom. But the men of Sodom were very wicked, and they were sinners before the Lord beyond measure. And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot was divided from him: “Lift up your eyes, and gaze out from the place where you are now, to the north and to the meridian, to the east and to the west. All the land that you see, I will give to you, and to your offspring even forever. And I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth. If any man is able to number the dust of the earth, he will be able to number your offspring as well. Arise and walk through the land in its length, and breadth. For I will give it to you.”  Therefore, moving his tent, Abram went and dwelt by the steep valley of Mamre, which is in Hebron. And he built an altar there to the Lord."
Readings of the Day:
     Isaiah 55:10-11
     Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19
     Matthew 6:7-15

Collect for the Day:
"Look upon your family, Lord, that, through the chastening effects of bodily discipline, our minds may be radiant in your presence with the strength of our yearning for you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."