Lent Devotional March 24, 2023

Lenten Devotional March 24, 2023

Scripture

Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and women alike,
old and young together!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

Devotional

The Rev. Sarina Odden Meyer ’07

“A society with harmony-way values cares for the most marginalized—for the poor and needy—because how we treat those who are most in need reveals the heart of who we are. Such a society will protect Mother Earth, our source of life, at every turn.” - Randy Woodley in Becoming Rooted: 100 Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth

Psalm 148 reminds us that we are interconnected with all of life on earth. God created everything to live in harmony together. But now, the biodiversity of our planet is in crisis. We are the image of God on this planet, called to nurture life in everything we do. Can anything we do make a difference? Just as God saved the world by becoming one person (Jesus), willing to make a personal sacrifice (death on the cross), God can work through each of us to make a difference for biodiversity.

For example, what is our relationship like with the land on which we live? We can control the habitats in our yards and create life for biodiversity. Is our yard a habitat for soil microbes, pollinators, and migrating birds? Or is it filled with a non-flowering monoculture? How would the land on which we live cry out to God? With praises for the humans who dwell there, or with laments?

As we prepare to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection, let us contemplate how we might bring the good news of new life to the land on which we live. Let us take up our cross and make personal sacrifices to invest in creating life-filled habitats for the least-of-these who live in our yards. Let us be the image of God, enabling life to thrive, so that all of Creation who knows us will cry out in praise to God.

Prayer

God of all Creation, we confess that we have forgotten our calling to nurture life on earth. Help us to bear your image in Creation by enabling life to thrive. Give us courage and determination to change our ways so that all of Creation who knows us would cry out to you in praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of students for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Hybrid Student

PTS Neighborhood Collaborative Resource Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry, Continuing Education, Kelso Museum, Metro-Urban Institute, Miller Summer Youth Institute, and World Mission Initiative. Alums, there's also one for you!