Lenten Reflection: March 13

Numbers 11:4-6

King James Version (KJV)

⁴ And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
⁵ We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
⁶ But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

My Reflection: This, to me, is a lot like the month of February. I am so tired of the grey days.  (Yes, I spelled grey G-R-E-Y just because I wanted to. You can read all about it by clicking here.) I need a change from grey air, grey sky, dirty grey snow. I remember the joys of summer, and the sun, and the heat, and the kids playing outside. Knitting on the hammock and taking naps in the sun. I think it is very human to tire of something and want something different. We are constantly changing, "needing" the newest latest thing in technology, wanting this years model of Mustang, hoping that next year will be better for us. I can imaging after 40 years of gathering Manna in the desert I would want for something a little different, too.

Lenten Reflection: March 12

1 John 3:17

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁷ But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My Reflection: It is not uncommon for people who are in financial need to approach the church for aid. I know that. But I was taken aback a year or so ago when I was at my knitting group and went into the church office to make a photo copy. On the receptionists desk was a bright red note that read "Please DO NOT give (name with-held) any more money. He is NOT eligible to receive any more funds from us." I knew the person, and was a bit concerned. I knew he had some mental health issues, and I was worried for his welfare, so I asked Pastor Susan why he was being cut off. In my mind she had no right to cut him off, he was a mentally ill person in need of assistance, and she, as Pastor of the Parish, had the obligation to see to it that he was cared for. I was troubled, so I asked her about it. Patiently, she explained to me that when this person came to get a check to pay his rent, and buy groceries, he would often cash the check, then purchase weird things like new hats, and video games. The money they were giving him was NOT being used for its intended purpose. So, she told him he could not have any more money. Then she contacted the landlord of his apartment building, and had arranged for the church office to pay his rent directly. He was referred to a mental health agency that would be given grocery gift cards to help purchase his meals for him, but he, himself was not to be given any more money.

This experience made me wonder how often I jump to conclusions, eager to pass judgement, when I don't have all of the information. It was very easy for me to conclude that the needs of this man were not being met by the church, but in fact, they were (and notice, I didn't exactly jump up to volunteer to take the guy shopping every week...)The older I become, the more I realize EVERYONE has their own  story, and I need to learn to judge less and love more. 

Lenten Reflection: March 11

A leader of a community asked Abba Poemen:
"How can I gain the fear of God?"
Abba Poemen replied:
"How indeed can we gain the fear of God when we have bellies full of cheese and jars of salted fish?"

--from The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

My Reflection: interestingly  it does seem that when I personally cry out to God the most, is when I feel I am in the most need. When I am lost, or in need, or feeling alone, that's when I end up praying the hardest. When I am happy and content, it seems God tends to fade into the background until I am in need of His help again. So, if all of my needs were met, blissfully fulfilled, all of the time, would I forget all about God?

Lenten Reflection: March 10

Mark 2:23-27

King James Version (KJV)

²³ And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the Sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
²⁴ And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?

²⁵ And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

²⁶ How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

²⁷ And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath:

My Reflection: Here Jesus is explaining that the disciples picked ears of corn on the Sabbath, not because they were trying to break the law, but because they were hungry. This kind of reminded me of those morality discussions they used to make us do in high school. Is it morally wrong to steal if you are starving? Here Jesus wasn't necessarily stealing, but by "working" on the Sabbath, his disciples were, indeed, breaking the law. Then Jesus explains that the Sabbath was created to serve man, not man for the Sabbath. This made me think a bit. I was raised on the notion that you don't go grocery shopping, or out to eat, or do anything wild and crazy on Sundays. It was a kind of a quiet day, spent at home with family. I still agree with this principle.  I think Sundays should be a day of rest, spent at home with family or close friends. I still do not like to shop on Sunday, because if I am out shopping, that means somebody else has to work to be able to take my money. Since I would prefer they are at home with their families, it isn't right of me to ask them to be at work...so I just try not to do it. Sometimes though, it is a necessity. Illnesses may pop up unannounced, I may be traveling and need to purchase gas or food. Here, I think Jesus is telling us it's OK to be human. That sometimes life happens and there is really nothing we can do about it except keep in keeping on. It's like He's saying "Hey, I get it. Yeah, it's the Sabbath, but a man's still gotta eat."

What do you think?

Lenten Reflection: March 9

May the God of peace...equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight.

     --Prayer from an Order for Compline.
         The Book of Common Prayer

My Reflection:

Lenten Reflection: March 8

Psalm 147:8

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

My reflection: First off, this passage is WAY cooler when read in the voice of Ian McClellan as Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. Secondly, It made me think of the great sunsets I can see from my back porch.

Lenten Reflection: March 7

Bless this food to our use
And us to thy loving and faithful service.
     --The Book of Common Prayer, Adapted.

My Reflection: So simple, yet so complicated. Sometimes I forget how easy my life is, compared to millions of others on this planet. I have easy access to food. In fact, I have TOO easy of access to food. I am slowly out growing my jeans, adding a pound or two hear and there. I have easy access to food. I have a gym membership. I have a vehicle to get me to the gym. I also have NO willpower, No desire to exercise, and NO motivation to do anything but sit. It is sure easy to SAY  "God, here I am, use me for thy will" and another thing entirely to actually DO something. I can use this prayer in my life..provided it also includes the  addendum "And bless me with the motivation to get off my fat butt and get a move on."