Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16
Cups are an essential part of life.
A cup of coffee first thing in the morning.
A cup of hot chocolate that warms us on a chilly day.
In our churches, we use cups to celebrate Holy Communion.
We recall legends that knights of old went on quests for the Holy Grail, believed to be the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper.
Despite never being found, tales persist about what happened to it.
The Bible often uses the cup as a metaphor for suffering.
Isaiah speaks of the “cup of his wrath,” meaning punishment for disobedience.
Also, Ezekiel speaks of the “cup of horror and desolation.”
Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, facing great pain, prayed, “Father, if you are willing, let this cup pass from me.”
Again, a cup symbolized anguish – a life or an experience of difficulty, pain, and bitterness.
But not always.
Sometimes it is a cup of blessing.
Such has been my good fortune to experience.
Reflecting on the blessings I have enjoyed: a family I cherish, countless friends who have blessed my life, and a church that has enriched me all along the way.
Psalm 23 best describes my feeling: “My cup overflows.”
Prayer: O God, in this Lenten season and every season, make us grateful for the countless blessings we enjoy and the strength you provide to face difficulty when it comes. Amen.
Hasbrouck Hughes, Williamsburg, VA
A daily Lenten devotional reprinted with permission from The Society of St. Andrew to inspire help sharing nourishing food with neighbors in need.
Every $1 donated provides more than 40 servings to those in greatest need. A donation of $47 for the 47 days in Lent provides more than 1,880 servings.
What a way to celebrate the resurrection of hope and lift the cup of salvation for our hungry neighbors!
First Reflections 