Pastor's Pen - March 2009

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

It is that time of year again when people are talking about what they are giving up for Lent. From a logical and practical point of view does God really care if we do not eat chocolate for 6 weeks? When millions upon millions of God's children are either starving or at risk of starvation, how does not having any dessert for the season of Lent measure up in any appreciable way as a real sacrifice? If this isn't what Lent is about, what do we do with this season of purple paraments and extra services in the life of the church?

 

Some, even clergy, have suggested that 6 weeks of Lent is just too long and perhaps the season should be shortened. The suggestion is that Lenten themes are too dark and dreary and too difficult for people to carry. Thus shortening the season would give people a taste of the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and giving alms, but not so much as to put them off. Some churches simply do not acknowledge the season at all in either worship or practice. In this case it is my belief that when it comes to Lent "less is not more" as some would currently suggest.

 

It has been said that 6 weeks is the time it takes for new patterns of behavior to become a part of an individual's way of life. Certainly theses changes can be for either good or ill depending upon the change and its impact on a person's life. However, just as people can become inactive in church participation in 6 weeks time, so others can become more intimately involved in the practice and expression of their faith at that is what Lent is about.

 

To consciously take time to be in prayer, in conversation with God, in a disciplined fashion for these weeks is an opportunity to have one's whole life changed. To consciously think about the food we eat will draw us closer to the reality of those who are without and the means by which we can work to bring about change for the sake of all. To consciously think about how we share resources with those who are in need will move us from a casual contribution to a personal commitment to work to end poverty in all of its forms.

 

None of this can be done alone or overnight. However, together in community over a period of time, things will change as God gives us strength and direction. May this Lenten season be a tool to assist you in your change and growth as children of God.

Across the Pastor's Desk - February 20,2009

Sunday, February 22nd, many within the Christian community will celebrate the last Sunday after the Epiphany, the Transfiguration of our Lord. In this event three of Jesus' closest disciples have a glimpse of the Lord in all of his radiance. In their fear and trembling they hear the voice of God affirming Jesus as God's Son, and perhaps most importantly they are told to listen to Jesus. Though there is some debate about what exactly they are to listen to, many would suggest that Jesus' words about his death and resurrection are certainly part of that important message. The encouragement to listen to him is of equal importance to us today as it was in the time of Jesus' first disciples.

 

As human beings we are equally tempted to turn away from what appear to be the difficult and disconcerting words of Jesus' message and to replace them with words that seem more appealing to us in our lives today. As a result instead of talking about sacrifice and service, people are more inclined to look for door prizes if they attend worship and to cling to the message of prosperity that so many are offering in Jesus' name today.

 

Today perhaps more than ever there are a multitude of voices in the culture around us calling to us in an effort to lead us in one direction or another. The only thing that these voices have in common is to lead us away from the path set by the voice of the Savior, the only voice that we need follow to know a wholeness that this world cannot provide. If these temptations were not enough there are also those who would speak in Jesus' name about topics that Jesus never said anything about. At the same time these voices seem to have no memory of the things that Jesus did say, about forgiving even our enemies, of not judging others in regards to their salvation and relationship with God, and to be willing to sell everything and to follow him.

 

As we enter into the season of Lent, the encouragement to listen to Jesus becomes more important than ever. This is a season to give ourselves and our devotion to the words of Jesus about serving others, about taking up our own crosses, and about the promise of the nearness of God's dominion in him which makes our feeble efforts even possible.  It comes down to the words that Jesus not only spoke but lived and listening to them that we might know the fullness and abundance of life that he offers to all.