14 February 2018 - not deserted

Today's Readings (Audio)

Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.

We are called to remember our dependence on God. We are called to rely on the LORD absolutely. We are to turn aside from everything we cling to apart from him.

Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.

The LORD asks us to fast from the temporary fulfillments that keep us from finding our joy in him alone. He asks us to turn toward him in prayer and works of love. Now more than ever, these can't be done so that we can feel good about them, but rather, for the sake of the other, the one to whom we pray, and for the people we serve.

But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

There is a reward for charity. It comes when we can forget ourselves in the service of others. When our limited ego diminishes and the Spirit within us increases we receive repayment.

There is more to be done in each of our hearts. Accepting Jesus is not a one and done thing. Conversion is an ongoing process. We are being made ready for heaven. We are given the opportunity to live more of the life of heaven even here on earth beginning today.

In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.

We often don't see the call to fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as an opportunity. Yet this call is filled with grace. Just as the Spirit leads Jesus into the desert so too does he lead us. The Spirit is ready and willing to bring about remarkable transformation in each one of us if we but follow one step at a time. This transformation is the gift of Jesus to us this season.

For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, 
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him

It is united to Jesus himself, following the Spirit, that we can live the call of Lent. On our own, sure, it is a burden, but with Jesus the yoke is easy and the burden light. 

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Though we go to the desert we do not go alone. We go together as the people of God, supporting one another, and praying for one another. We go under the protection of the Spirit of God in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Onward!