Christ Church Rockville Lenten Devotion

Maundy Thursday ~ April 13, 2017

Based on Jeremiah 20:7-11 (Jeremiah 20:9/GNTCE)
One of the great joys of being a parent is watching your child share something he/she thinks is amazing. Those few moments right before they speak, when you child is just bursting with anticipation, that is my favorite part. When he/she is so super excited that their mouth just drops open, their eyes pop wide out, their body begins to shake, their breathing becomes short and fast, their face changes many different shades of red and the adrenaline makes every electron in the brain explode like fireworks. It’s in that moment they just can’t help but say what’s on their mind. Jeremiah is having this moment with God. He realizes that no matter how hard he tries to hold it in, God’s message is too exciting, too important, too amazing to keep secret. Often times we tend to hold back from sharing our faith because of fear. We are afraid of how people will react. Jeremiah laments over being made fun of and ridiculed for sharing God’s news. However, Jeremiah realizes that no matter the cost, the Good News is something to share with others.
“But when I say, ‘I will forget the LORD and no longer speak in his name,’ then your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.”

— The Rev. Patrick Bush, Assistant Rector, Trinity Church, Tariffville