March 19

David Walsh serves as a Camp Fowler volunteer. He is a former Fowler poet laureate and board of trustees moderator. Currently David works for New York State Information Tech Services.

Hebrews 5:5-10

Melchizedek’s Breath
1. High Priest
The tongue stutters across his name,
another in a long line of priests that show up
in the Old Stories, the King of Justice
who once received
a tenth of Abraham’s wealth.

2.King
But what mentor is such a High Priest,
that God would grant the Son
the same standing as a storied King of Peace,
a ‘priest forever’ whose life goes on,
whose breath never ends?

3. Suffers
The Son is human, knows the Plan,
gives anguished voice to prayer and tears
to the One who could save him,
to no avail. His perfection is reached
through a path of
obedience,
worship,
suffering…

4.Salvation
God speaks of Melchizedek in the same breath
as the Son, and that Word is pressed
on the life of He who reaches perfection,
He who can save forever all who follow Him,
He who, through death, breathes life in all people.

Prayer: The human Christ cried out to God, railed against the plan, and sought harbor from his God. But his suffering brought his human life to perfection and demonstrated the path to salvation. Lord, show us the way—breathe life into our souls. Amen.

The 2015 Lenten reflections were submitted by staff, volunteers, board members, campers, and friends who have spent time at Camp Fowler in New York.

For this year’s Lent devotions, the days follow the Common Lectionary texts. Each author was invited to: 1.Read the passage.
2.Read a couple passages before and after the assigned day.
3.Do something else for the day, keeping the passage in mind.
4.Find a word/phrase/concept that connects with your own experience. Reflect on that.
You are encouraged to do the same.