Lent 2

Preparation

    Please begin by reading Luke 13:22-35 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided that text for you at the end of this reflection.

Reflection--Jerusalem, Jerusalem
  
   Lent is meant to be a time for us to examine our spiritual journeys and try to get back on track.  It is a time when it is appropriate to think about that 3-letter “s” word—“sin.”

   One of the better descriptions of sin I’ve come across is the first sentence from a rather lengthy definition in Harper’s Bible Dictionary. It’s this: “sin, that which is in opposition to God’s benevolent purposes for [God’s] creation.”

    Sin can certainly be found in our relationships with any of God’s creation; failure to care for the earth with which God has entrusted us, for example. But in terms of how we interact with each other, sin is anything that we do (or fail to do) to ourselves and others that is inconsistent with God’s boundless love and grace toward humanity.

    In my more foolish moments, I sometimes like to think that I have progressed beyond that sin business.  I like to think that I am not like the rest of humanity; that I always leave situations and people in a better condition for my having been there; that I always act out of love rather than selfishness.  I’d much rather think of myself above humanity's struggles, standing beside Jesus as he looks down with a broken heart on sinful humanity crying “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

    Every time I begin to think that I "have it made" in that way, the Holy Spirit quickly puts me into my place by reminding me of yet another incident, large or small, where I have passed up an opportunity to reflect God's grace and instead have reflected my own anger, prejudices, selfishness or spiritual cowardice.  Sadly, the Spirit need not look very far to find such an example.

    Reflecting God’s grace in our lives is indeed a very hard thing. Jesus says in today’s passage that many will try and fail.  But try we must! Lent is reminder that going though life coasting and giving in to our “it’s all about me” impulses is not what it is really all about at all. Rather, it is about striving to enter God’s realm through that narrow door.

    It is not that we do not know what to do. We have a clear example before us—Jesus. Certainly, Jesus had every reason to “shake the dust from his feet” and leave Jerusalem (and by extension, us) to its misery. Already the plots to kill him were underway. Instead, he continued with teaching and healing the people. Instead of reacting in anger, he was overcome with grief at how much we miss in our callousness.  Even when he was abused, he continued positive words and actions that made the world a better place.

    How often we thoughtlessly throw away what could be rich, full lives lived out in grace; lives in line with “God’s benevolent purposes for [God’s] creation;” lives that leave the place where we are a little better instead of a little worse.  It is time during this season to think seriously individually, and together, about how we might do better.  It is not a time to beat ourselves up for our failures.  We all have them and wallowing in guilt does not do anyone any good.  But it is a time to intentionally get back on track and begin making a difference once more.

revclay

_______________________________

Luke 13:22-35

    Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

    Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?"

    He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then in reply he will say to you, 'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, 'I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!'

    “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

    At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you."

    He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'" [NRSV]