Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

29 February 2012

Our story today is about Sarah.
The scriptural parallel for this story can be found in Genesis 18.

"Then the Lord appeared to him, in the steep valley of Mamre, when he was sitting at the door of his tent, in the very heat of the day. And when he had lifted up his eyes, there appeared to him three men, standing near him. When he had seen them, he ran to meet them from the door of his tent, and he reverenced them on the ground. And he said: “If I, O lord, have found grace in your eyes, do not pass by your servant. But I will bring a little water, and you may wash your feet and rest under the tree. And I will set out a meal of bread, so that you may strengthen your heart; after this you will pass on. It is for this reason that you have turned aside to your servant.” And they said, “Do as you have spoken.”  Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and he said to her, “Quickly, mix together three measures of the finest wheat flour and make loaves baked under the ashes.” In truth, he himself ran to the herd, and he took a calf from there, very tender and very good, and he gave it to a servant, who hurried and boiled it.  Likewise, he took butter and milk, and the calf which he had boiled, and he placed it before them. Yet truly, he himself stood near them under the tree. And when they had eaten, they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” He answered, “Behold, she is in the tent.” And he said to him, “When returning, I will come to you at this time, with life as a companion, and your wife Sarah will have a son.” Hearing this, Sarah laughed behind the door of the tent. Now they were both old, and in an advanced state of life, and it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.  And she laughed secretly, saying, “After I have grown old, and my lord is elderly, shall I give myself to the work of delight?” Then the Lord said to Abraham: “Why did Sarah laugh, saying: ‘How can I, an old woman, actually give birth?’ Is anything difficult for God? According to the announcement, he will return to you at this same time, with life as a companion, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh.” For she was terribly afraid. But the Lord said, “It is not so; for you did laugh.” Therefore, when the men had risen up from there, they directed their eyes against Sodom. And Abraham traveled with them, leading them."

Readings of the Day:
     Jonah 3:1-10
     Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
     Luke 11:29-32

Collect for the Day:
"Look kindly, Lord, we pray, on the devotion of your people, that those who by self-denial are restrained in body may by the fruit of good works be renewed in mind. 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."