Lent 2010, Holy Saturday

But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. John 12:23-24

Jesus' death has born much fruit in the last two thousand years. As we wait for Easter to celebrate His resurrection, we can contemplate the far reaches of the Christian world view that produced Western Civilization at its best, the lives of Christians who have influenced us, and the personal growth we've experienced because of Jesus death. May we also be inspired to lay down our own narrow proclivities and open our lives to bearing more and better fruit now that we have a better understanding of God's outrageous love for us.

Lent 2010, Good Friday

But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. I Corinthians 1:23-25

Today we commemorate humanity at its very worst when we committed the worst sin possible -- Deicide. And yet we call it Good Friday because it dramatically illustrates God's love for us crazy, silly, vengeful, selfish human beings.

I imagine that the followers of Christ went to bed that Friday night wondering about their own sanity for following a charismatic rabbi for three years only to watch his eventual execution with common criminals. They had waited since Thursday night for some Angelic cavalry to ride in to the rescue, but no miracles occurred. There was no way on earth that any of them could begin to comprehend the goodness of that day or the victory that was won by His death. Likewise many times in each of our lives we go to bed thinking that all is lost and that God is far away. Yet God remains in control, and His love always brings about good, no matter how hopeless the situation appears to be.

Lent 2010, Maundy Thursday

Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Exodus 12:8

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat;this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many." Mark 14:22-24

God instituted both the Old and the New Covenants with memorial meals for His people. In the Old as a lamb was slain, its blood marked atonement for that family, and the flesh was eaten, unleavened bread was served, and four ceremonial cups of wine were drunk during the Passover meal. For the New Covenant, Jesus and His disciples were eating this same feast when Jesus blessed the unleavened bread and the wine and declared that they became His body and blood (and He later became the lamb slain for our sins) and that His followers were to eat this same meal (Eucharist) regularly in the future.

We want Christianity (the New Covenant) to be a matter of mental assent as we argue over theological matters and search the scriptures to back up our points. But God wants it to be part of our being, down to the cellular level. So He has us actually consume the elements that purchased our forgiveness for us that we might grow into little Christs, or Christians.

Lent 2010, Day 37

(Jesus) rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:4-5

Jesus lovingly washed Judas' feet just before he went out to complete the betrayal that would lead to Jesus' crucifixion. It's hard to imagine such love. Who today would volunteer to do such a humble task for a person who would sell him out for a mere $607.50? (30 silver coins at today's price)

Apparently Judas couldn't imagine it either because he committed suicide rather than ask for forgiveness. But God's mercy is deeper than man's deepest sins. Lent reminds everyone to make things right with the One who loves him most while there is still time.

Lent 2010, Day 36

Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. John 13:36-38

Holy Week reminds us all that even the good guys, the elite group who had been tutored and trained for three years by God Himself, weren't so very trustworthy. One sells Him out for the price of a slave. Most desert once the authorities arrested Jesus. And Peter, the one Jesus chose to lead the others, ended up denying he ever knew Him. Sadly, we all have to admit that even with 2,000+ years of experience, today's followers commit similar cowardly acts. But, the love of God can overcome our failures, if only we allow Him into our lives.

Lent 2010, Day 35

And as he rode along, the people spread clothes on the road in front of him. When Jesus was starting down the Mount of Olives, his large crowd of disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. They shouted,"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" Luke 19:36-38A

Yesterday's Palm Sunday services began by retelling Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. However, by Wednesday of Holy Week, his own disciple bargains to betray Him and by Friday, the crowd demands His crucifixion. The obvious lesson for all, believers and non-believers alike, is to distrust both popularity and derision because the crowd is and always has been fickle. In the end, nothing really matters except approval from the Creator of the Universe.

Lent 2010, Day 34

The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him;
the cords of his sin hold him fast.
He will die for lack of discipline,
led astray by his own great folly.

Proverbs 5:22-23

Today we look at discipline once more just before the onset of Holy Week. Again we value the wisdom inherent in a Holy observance of Lent: to avoid being led astray by our own foolishness. Self help books currently offer secular versions of improving one's habits and attitudes, but Christians have had the Church to teach, lead, and guide us into happier, more fruitful lifestyles every spring for the last 2000+ years.

Lent 2010, Day 33

. . . he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. Mark 8:34b-35

To deny oneself and pick up a cross every day of one's life sounds like a steep price to pay for anything. On the other hand, to become an adopted child of the God of Creation is surely worth any sacrifice we make. Lent helps us rethink our puny sacrifices in the light of rewards too wonderful for our imagination, much less our description.

Lent 2010, Day 32

He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly. Luke 1:51-52

With the limited vision we have here on earth, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by political or military power, especially when it is arrayed against us. But the Bible reminds everyone that despite appearances, the real authority belongs to the Lord. The seemingly dominant can be brought down in a day and the apparently helpless given extraordinary power. Remember the fall of Communist Russia and the rise of Lech Walesa. This same passage that deals with the Incarnation also quotes the Angel Gabriel, "For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)

PS: Sorry I missed Days 27 and 31. Sometimes "the world is too much with us." (Wordsworth)

Lent 2010, Day 30

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. I John 5:20-21

Truth is a precious commodity that we need to prize above all else. Our first need usually involves being wholly truthful to ourselves, then completely truthful with others. If we fail there, and we will fail unless we rely on God, we will succumb to idolatry, addictions, and mental illness. Pray to be more open and more honest with yourself and with God during this Lent.

Lent 2010, Day 29

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Do not allow yourself to be downhearted about yourself, your family, or your country. Continue to do what is right, to pray, to seek God's wisdom. Work to bring the kingdom of God into your own sphere of influence whatever situation you happen to be in now. Weariness and discouragement interfere with making good decisions.

Lent 2010, Day 28

Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “ Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him. . . Joel 2:12-14

The US is in a particularly vulnerable situation during this Lent. Give up the cream in your coffee or between meal snacks and pray for your country this weekend especially. As Tennyson said, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." Prayer is spiritual dynamite, not a wistful last resort.

Lent 2010, Day 25

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Lent helps us to lay aside those things in our life that interfere with our running the race of faith. Building spiritual self discipline begins with physical self discipline, but goes far beyond mere fitness. Let us run that race now with joy as we imitate Jesus Christ.

Lent 2010, Day 24

Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:3

All of us were planned babies, whether our parents called us accidents or not. God arranged for our births from the beginning of time because of His love for us. Whatever our limitations: physical, mental, emotional, or financial, He has great plans for each person. And what about those who are so limited that they can do is lie in bed and drool? Their lack of communication with us or lack of abilities that we can measure do not preclude a rich, silent relationship with God that may be more exciting than the rest of us can even imagine.

The third stanza in the hymn "The Love of God" was found scrawled on the walls in an insane asylum over a thousand years ago. It was first used in a poem written by a Jewish rabbi and adapted to the Christian hymn in 1917.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Lent 2010, Day 23

[Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed on our part of Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. Colossians 1:24 Amplified Bible

Tired of giving up dessert or whatever for Lent? Offer even that tiny suffering up to the Lord in prayer. St. Paul used all of his sufferings, not just fasting, as part of his prayer for the Christians of his day. Today pray for your country and all American Christians that faith will be renewed and restored. Pray for your Congressional Clowns to get/stay on the right track. Pray for God to bless the USA.

Lent 2010, Day 22

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21:2

Since the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves, verses similar to this one appear 5 or 6 times in the Bible as warnings against depending on ourselves and our own ideas too much. Both we and our worst enemies believe that we/they are doing "the right thing." But, when conflicts arise, we each have to admit to mistakes.

God gave us the Ten Commandments as ultimate tests of right and wrong. In lesser arenas of human affairs, we have to depend on asking for Divine guidance to make wise decisions. We still fool ourselves sometimes, but as we stumble, fall, repent, and try again, we gradually grow closer to God's ideal. That's because God wants to have a close relationship with us; He really does not want to be a mere observer. Lent encourages us to develop our relationship with The Man Upstairs as we pray, fast, and give alms.

Lent 2010, Day 21

These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it. But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD for seven days. The seventh day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.’” Leviticus 23:4-7

We all need reminders. God instituted the feast in the Old Testament to remind His people of their miraculous deliverance from slavery. In preparation for the feast, Jews thoroughly cleaned their houses to get rid of all dirt and leaven (symbols of sin) and the priests slayed perfect lambs to expiate the people's sin.

Because Jesus Christ was crucified on Passover, Christians adopted some of the Jewish customs as they celebrated the most important day for all people on Earth -- Easter. For centuries, Christians have done spring cleaning before Easter. Lent itself began as a period of spiritual spring cleaning to help people get rid of the cobwebs and dust bunnies in their souls to better appreciate their deliverance from the slavery of sin through Christ.

Lent 2010, Day 20

“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’" Deuteronomy 4:5-6

To participate fully in Lent* is to become wiser. For if we do, we emerge on Easter morning with a fuller understanding of ourselves, our purpose in life, and how to make daily decisions. The God who created us knows what will work and what doesn't. Following Him, as best you can, is like listening to the best coach in the world. You will become more successful as a person, a member of your family, and a citizen in your country. Pursuing holiness is not a form of self-flagellation, but the road map to happiness.

*Lenten practices commonly mean increased prayer (strengthening our understanding of God), increased alms giving (opening our eyes in new ways to the needs of people around us), and increased fasting (building self discipline).

Lent 2010, Day 19

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:7-9

The key to peace is walking in the light of Jesus. It's a simple solution, but difficult at times to execute, because it's easier to walk in our own light. That's another reason we need Lent every year to encourage us to face unpleasant truths, confess our sins, and get back into the true Truth.

Psychotherapists tell us that facing the truth about ourselves is so difficult that many patients give up and continue to blame others for their own problems. But Jesus freely offers the grace of confession and forgiveness to anyone who wants to walk in His light and live in reality and peace.

Lent 2010, Day 18

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Here St. Paul asks Christians to present themselves, their lives, and their activities daily as an offering to God. That's more than putting your mouth where your money is; that's putting your life on the line for your beliefs even when it mostly means carpooling and grocery shopping. Many Catholics do this with a daily prayer that offers "our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings" to God to use as He desires.

In this process, of course, we gradually morph into the successful, happy person God had in mind when He created us. Our big nemesis is the pervasive culture we live in. We fight it by our willingness to obey God rather than Madison Avenue, Hollywood, political parties, or peer pressure.