Lenten devotional Archives

Christ in Our Midst

Christ in Our Midst, Editors at Paraclete Press with chant by The Gloriae Dei Cantores Schola. Paraclete Press (ISBN: 9798893480283) 2025.

Summary: An artfully designed Lenten daily devotional incorporating chant, scripture, reflections, and journaling questions.

Another type of Lenten devotional includes a scripture text and reflection, often related to lectionary readings or simply the journey from Ash Wednesday to Holy Week. This Lenten devotional follows that model with a wonderful addition. It incorporates chants tied to the scripture readings for each day. The chant text and musical notation appears opposite the reflection. A QR code allows you to listen to a recording of the chant performed by The Gloriae Dei Cantores Schola.

Chants are provided for Ash Wednesday and each of the three days until the first Sunday of Lent. Beginning on the first Sunday of Lent, the chant is printed on that day and repeated throughout the week, with the QR code with each daily reading. Then chants are provided for each day of Holy Week, culminating with Easter. Finally, a chant is provided for Easter Monday, which serves as the theme for the Easter Week readings.

For those new to chant, there is an explanation of the history of chant and how the musical notation, consisting of square notes on a four line staff, works. I also learned that in contrast to regular musical notation, where the pitch of each note is absolute, pitch in chant is relative. In addition, since the chants are in Latin, a Latin pronunciation guide is offered. Nearly all of them are scriptural texts. The editors note that one of the reasons to use Latin is to provide a universal language for the church’s sung prayers. Many of the chants, or antiphons, are brief, from 25 to 50 seconds. There are several longer ones on key Holy Days, such as the beautiful “Ubi Caritas” on Holy Thursday. Finally, the intent is that we not only listen but join in singing, which I found myself doing.

I appreciated how well connected the chants were with the readings. For example, beginning with the fourth Sunday in Lent, the chant is “Ego sum resurrectio,” or “I am the resurrection and the life.” Each of the readings, beginning with the raising of Lazarus, explore our resurrection hope, a theme I found particularly meaningful in this first reading.

In addition to these elements, a reflection prompt and journaling space is proved for each day. Drawings of wildflowers set off each section. The devotional is hardbound with a ribbon marker.

I found that the incorporation of chant quieted my mind to receive and reflect upon scripture. This is a devotional I hope to return to in future Lenten seasons. I also want to acknowledge that I know I’m posting this on Ash Wednesday. But if you order this today, most shippers will have it to you within days for your use throughout Lent. (And it is OK to play catch-up!)

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Meeting God in John

Meeting God in John: Inspiration and Encouragement from the Fourth Gospel, David F. Ford. Brazos Press (ISBN: 9781587437069) 2026.

Summary: A Lenten devotional, offering reflections from John’s gospel on meeting God as he is revealed in Jesus.

Another kind of Lenten devotional follows a particular text or texts in scripture. In this case, David F. Ford offers guided reflections in reading the Gospel of John. For Ford, this was an extension of a twenty-year effort to write a commentary on John. Here, working with church leaders, he distills his insights into a compact resource to use over the course of Lent, during holy Week, and into Eastertide. The book is equally usable by individuals or groups, or perhaps for a whole congregation.

A brief introduction elaborates the two purpose for which John wrote the gospel as stated in John 20:30-31. Ford rephrases this as follows:

“John’s Gospel is about meeting and trusting God through meeting and trusting Jesus, and then maturing into that core relationship of being loved and learning to love, open to the superabundant life he gives” (p. 2)

He follows this discussion with brief suggestions for the book’s use.

The first part of the book consists of five chapters, one for each of the five weeks of Lent. The first chapter focuses on John’s Prologue: how it speaks to our quest for meaning, the loving relationship between Father and Son pervades the whole, and how the Prologue centers on Jesus. The next three chapters focus on three questions. The second chapter centers on the question of identity: who are you? The Baptist’s “I am nots” yield to Jesus revelation of who he is to the Samaritan woman in John 4.

Then chapter three explores Jesus’ question to Simon and Andrew: what are you looking for? It’s the question of desire and Ford explores the different desires that led people to seek out Jesus as well as our own culture’s desires. Thirdly, in chapter four, the disciples ask “Where are you staying?” This is the longing for home, answered by Jesus invitation to “remain” with him and its ultimate expression in the allegory of the Vine. Finally, chapter five contends that glory is the inevitable consequence of meeting God in Christ. The ultimate manifestation of that glory is in the cross, revealing God’s deep heart of love.

The second part, in three chapters covers holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. On Holy Thursday, in the washing of feet, Jesus reveals his love for his disciples–received by the Beloved disciple, denied by Peter, and betrayed by Judas. On Good Friday, the trial revealed Jesus in truth, the cross reveals his love, intimately for his mother and expansively for the world, and his death addresses suffering, sin, death, and evil. Then on Easter, we celebrate the great surprise, revealed first to Mary, the apostle to the apostles, and to the disciples, now “sent ones” into the world, given his Spirit.

Finally, part three, read in the weeks after Easter, picks up on how we are part of the ongoing story. We share in the lessons taught the disciples, to be a learning, praying, and loving people. In his conclusion, he describes that as being called into God, into community, and into the world.

Several appendices take us deeper into the study of John. Appendix A parallels John 17 and the Lord’s Prayer. Appendix B offers a ninety day reading plan to read through John. Some use this for a year or longer. Sadly, the plan leaves off at day 83, an error that will hopefully be corrected in reprintings. In the first chapter, Ford alludes to the breadth of theology, which Appendix C fleshes out in reproducing the table of contents from another book by the author. Finally, Appendix D addresses the hope for Christian unity, prayed for by Jesus in John 17.

Ford does all this in 160 pages. Each chapter includes reflection questions for individuals or groups. In conclusion, Ford has done an amazing thing in distilling twenty years of study into a guide any congregant or inquirer may use.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.