Tending to Lent

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into

the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

(from Mt. 4:1-11)

One of the more fascinating journeys I have taken was through the arid wilderness of Death Valley.

A Death Valley journey is noted for its heat, beauty of the surrounding hills, a museum, and warnings which include weather, road conditions, and survival plans. 

Warnings for hikers, backpackers and drivers include self-reliance, good maps and one reading, "If you find an illegal marijuana site, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!".

Tending to Lent might be considered a type of arid wilderness with preparations.

These preparations often include inauthentic sacrificial acts like "giving something up for Lent", like chocolate, (a big sacrifice for me).

But then, how does doing trite acts of sacrifice make you stronger to face difficult times in your arid wilderness?

"Taking something up", such as authentic praying, fasting, and giving alms, are other preparations for a wilderness journey designed for increasing spiritual strength.

But then again, how, at the wilderness journey's end of fasting forty days, praying, and giving alms, made a difference when you encounter your arid wilderness?

Jesus' desert detour wasn't about physical location nor his powers to resist the Tempter.

It's about faith and trust in God.

The Tempter offers Jesus three opportunities: commanding stones to become bread; being rescued by angels after jumping from a tower; earthly power and splendor. 

Jesus' answers reflected faith and trust in God as he faced the Tempter's opportunities of acceptance or rejection.

Jesus' desert detour is about faith that God will provide that needed deep trust.

Because of Jesus' desert detour, we can comprehend God's mercy grace, and love as we authentically, tend to the Lenten practices of praying for others, fasting from societies' false obligations, and giving socially responsible alms.

These Lenten preparations assure us we are not alone in a wilderness of temptations.

Think about it: What is your source of strength or courage when you feel the tug of temptations?

Fear on the Mountaintop

"Six days later, Jesus took with him

Peter and James and his brother John

and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.

And he was transfigured before them,

and his face shone like the sun,

and his clothes became dazzling white."

(from Matthew 7:1-9)

Several years ago, Elaine and I took the Cog railway up Mt. Washington for the sake of adventure and the panoramic view. God provided us with a beautiful day rather than the clouds and drizzle that often happen.

During one of the recent storms, the wind speed reached 120 mph with a windchill of -95. 

A video showed a weather observer trying to reach an instrument only to be blown off his feet and up against a building. 

Can you imagine the observers intense fear? 

This mountain top experience for Peter, James and John was one of confusion and fear. 

As these disciples wondered about making dwellings for Moses, Elijah and Jesus, a bright cloud overshadowed them saying, "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him."

Overcome by fear the disciples fall on their faces, Jesus touches them saying to get up and not be afraid.

Imagine Peter, James, and John's fear at hearing God's voice! 

This transfiguration story, however, is about much more than fear; it's about transitioning from the broken present age to the rebuilt one based on God's love.

The story, located in the middle of Matthew, focuses on a human response to meeting God with Jesus as the bridge between heaven and earth.

God's voice saying "listen to him", identifies Jesus as God's messenger will bring God's promised completion of the Law and Prophets.

This mountain top experience is an assurance that God, through Jesus, is acting to transform the broken age to a rebuilt one based on justice and righteousness (Amos 5:24).

Although broken age fears of violence, racism and social ills are with us, the transfiguration story assures that as we "listen to him", we will hear stories of God's work of justice and righteousness.

Think about it: Other Bible people frequently say, “Do not be afraid”. Why do you think so?

Choosing the Way of Life

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"I call heaven and earth to witness

 against you today that 

I have set before you 

life and death, blessings and curses."

(from Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

GPS isn't perfect.

That's why when a new District Superintendent came to our church for the first time, she wound up at Child's Park. 

GPS guided her to an unused road leading to the Park.

By the Grace of God, she had cell service, called the church, and got "redirect" instructions.

Having crossed the Jordan, the Israelites listen as Moses describes what they have become: a people formed in the covenant's ordeal; a people made and unmade by the grace of God. 

Moses brought them from slavery in Egypt, guided them through the dangers of the wilderness, and finally to Sinai for accepting the Commandments.

From now on, life is lived in obedience, faith is practiced and witnessed by faithfully keeping to the Law.

Moses explains the choice that before them:

    Love God and live; serve other gods and perish! 

Heeding God means Blessings and abundance; abandoning the covenant means

unbelievable calamity, terror, and suffering. 

Choosing life, it seems to me, means loving God with your heart which is defined as intelligence, conscience, soul, and strength. 

In other words, as much as possible, with your entire being.

Second, choosing life means walking in God's ways and listening to God's voice which for me the scriptures sum up in Micah 6:8 and Jesus Great Commandment.

Third, choosing life involves keeping God’s commands and embracing God by acting in appropriate ways toward each other and God. 

Jesus interprets the commandments as a way to remain faithful to God and calls us to choose life by acting and obeying them. 

The GPS of life and blessings means:

loving God with our whole selves.

following God’s voice as we walk.

binding to God by keeping the commandments.

Think about this: God promised Israel blessings in return for obedience. 

How does God bless you? 

Salt. Light. Hope

You are the salt of the earth; 

but if salt has lost its taste, 

how can its saltiness be restored? 

It is no longer good for anything, 

but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.

(from Matthew 5:13-20)

As I watched portions of Tyre Nichols' funeral, I was touched by a sense darkness pervading my soul. 

That darkness was not simply the type that often accompanies a funeral, but a sense of "we've been here before and we going to be back here again".

Emphasized at the funeral was the need for national laws to control a culture of violence by police and intending to reducing racial profiling. 

To the crowd gathered around him, Jesus talks about a whole other set of laws.

Jesus' talk about salt losing its flavor and being trampled underfoot refers to the 10 Commandments and the writings of the prophets.

This isn't a new idea, but a reminder, that, like Jesus, his followers are to stand for a righteous hope and transforming justice which can be seen in God's faithfulness for generations.

Jesus calls us to be salt, to serve in the way we were called to serve.

Jesus tells us to be like a light on a hilltop or an uncovered lamp reflecting the goodness of God so others see what God’s goodness is like thank God.

When we serve as “the light of the world,” we are a channel for the light pointing to God's light which the darkness cannot overcome.

It's this type of light that brings hope to those in a dark night of the soul.

For me, the light on the hilltop or the uncovered lamp came as the Rev. Al Sharpton spoke at the funeral.

He spoke from his unwavering call to discipleship based on his Christian faith.

To those who were mourning, he brought the comfort of one dedicated to the light of justice in an unjust society.

Rev. Sharpton was the salt bringing the light of God's hope into the dark place of racial injustice.