“Return to me with all your heart…” says the Lord through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:1213). “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” says Jesus (Matthew 6:2021).
We now find ourselves in the season of Lent, the 40 days before Easter which is all about turning our hearts back to God and bringing ourselves into spiritually healthy, holy places.
We all need this. We are all created in the image and likeness of God, good and infinitely loved by God, yet we still fall short of being the perfect creatures God created us to be. By our human nature, we all mess up. We all make poor choices and turn away from God’s goodness. Despite our best efforts and intentions, we do selfish and hurtful things.
We are also part of the larger human community that often denies and/or harms the life and dignity of God’s children and God’s creation. Things like racism, neglecting the poor, tolerating violence or discrimination, harming the environment, etc. – these are called “social” or “systemic” sins. We may not personally commit these acts, but when our community allows them, and especially when we indirectly receive the benefits, we are liable for these sins to the extent we turn a blind eye to the suffering or injustice they cause.
During Lent, we’re invited to slow down, step back, immerse ourselves in prayer and reflection and consider where our hearts really are with God and our neighbors. Where have our choices – as individuals and communities – driven a wedge between us and God or our neighbors?
Are there any hurtful actions or attitudes for which we need forgiveness? Are there wounded relationships we need to reconcile? How could we be more charitable and compassionate towards our neighbors? Are there specific things that distract us from an attentive prayer life? How well do we hold on to our trust and hope in God through these challenging times, and share our hope and faith with each other? Where do we need to do some turning around?
Lent isn’t meant to leave us feeling burdened with guilt and gloom. Rather, it is a time to move inward then forward – through repentance, reconciliation, renewal, then into the joy of the Resurrection. During Lent we often give up something we enjoy, take on extra spiritual practices, or do extra charitable work as a way of reminding ourselves of the renewal we are hoping to accomplish – or rather, that we are praying God will accomplish in us. Once we’ve done some of this inner digging and praying, we can decide what we need to do to turn ourselves more towards God who loves us incredibly and is always ready to forgive and be reconciled.
This work of Lent can be demanding, yet we don’t have to do it alone or in silence. We also find great treasure in our worship and reflection time together, and in the spiritual friendship we offer one another here in our faith community. We bless one another’s soul work.
May we all be challenged and blessed with the observance of a holy, humble, and transformative Lent.
Everyone is invited and welcome to join us at Trinity every Sunday at 10am for worship and Holy Communion, where you will find a warm congregation, uplifting liturgy, and the Good News of God’s radical love shared in word and sacrament.
