2023 Lenten Meditations
The wilderness & the dry land
shall be glad!
Daily Lenten meditations
by the Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson,
XI Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Introduction
It all begins in the wilderness…
In the wilderness things happen.
In the wilderness is transformation.
In the wilderness is the gate to new life.
God seems to have a special place for the wilderness experience. The overarching character throughout the biblical text that is often forgotten or missed is the wilderness.
From the calling of God’s people out of the land of Egypt, to Jesus beginning his ministry after his baptism, the wilderness has played a prominent role in the life and journey of the people of God. These experiences help to reform, refine, and refresh God’s people for the path ahead as they journey into the unknown.
We are no different. We need the wilderness.
We need those times in the wilderness, away from the norm, where we are stripped bare of the baggage and burdens we carry in order to be formed and reformed over and over again by God. We need those times in the wilderness to step out into the unknown, to seek after God’s footprints in the sand, to listen for God’s voice in the wind, to be steeped in the fullness of God’s Spirit moving in, around, and through us.
In the busyness of our world, with the demands of time and energy, the wilderness calls to us.
It all begins in the wilderness.
+Deon
A new meditation will be added to this page each day, beginning with Ash Wednesday (February 22, 2023) and ending with Palm Sunday (April 2, 2023).
You can also download the entire booklet to follow at your convenience.
Download the meditation booklet
2023 Lenten Meditations
March 13: Monday in the Third Week of Lent
God calls us to recognize that the stuff of our busyness is not what defines us.
March 12: The Third Sunday in Lent: Dream a Dream
We are called to be dreamers with God. And yet, sometimes we as the church have stopped dreaming.
March 11: Saturday in the Second Week of Lent
Take some time today to pause, to see nature wherever you are.
March 10: Friday in the Second Week of Lent
God invites us to be dreamers, inspired to do the deep work of transformation.
March 9: Thursday in the Second Week of Lent
God promises that we will be like trees, planted by springs of water, finding everything we need, dwelling at peace with each other and the world.
March 8: Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent
March 7: Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent
We who follow Jesus know that is never a bad time to stand up for what is right, to share the Good News that God’s dream, because that’s the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share it with.
March 6: Monday in the Second Week of Lent
God needs you! The prophet voice for change in our world is you.
March 4: Saturday in the First Week of Lent
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...