The Lenten Journey Day 22

From Henry Drummond in reference to the Apostle Peter, “His fall is a lesson in sin that requires no teacher, but his repentance in salvation.”

Drummond writes that all humans can relate to Peter’s sin of denying Christ but what we need to learn is the lesson of repentance. The key to repentance, Drummond points out, is not Peter’s realization of his failure but the quick glance of Christ following the rooster’s crow. Perhaps too strongly but Drummond draws a distinct line between human sorrow and Divine sorrow. Human sorrow is just a realization of weakness and can fuel more selfish pride. Divine sorrow sees the deep need for God and turns fully to Him for forgiveness. I say its perhaps too strong because sometimes human sorrow leads to Godly sorrow. Overall Drummond’s reminding us to not be so quick to admonish Peter, because we have all been or are there. What we must know is the path to forgiveness that Peter eventually walks.

“Today, perhaps the Lord is turning and looking at you. Right, where you are, your spirit is far away just now, dealing with some sin, some unbearable weight; and God is teaching you the lesson himself- the bitterest, yet the sweetest lesson of your life, in heartfelt repentance.”

The Lenten Journey Day 21

In today’s reading, Romano Guardini, explores the blessing expressed by Christ in His post-resurrection encounter with Thomas. Jesus gives Thomas the proof he had asked for and then pronounces blessing on those “who have not seen and believe.” I think Guardini draws to narrow of a line between who is and is not blessed. He holds that Thomas just got what he asked for, yet the blessing was for those who would not get the benefit of seeing Jesus’ nail-scarred hands for themselves. I would maintain that the proof is Thomas’ blessing, and that Christ is emphasizing that His blessing extends beyond what Thomas received.

However, Guadini’s keen insight on seeing Jesus through the supposed mundane, day in and day out of living is very helpful. “And those are called blessed who make the effort to remain open hearted.” O, that our hearts would be open to the surprise presence of Christ in the midst of our normal days. May we pray to see Christ as we seek Him in our routine. Guardini ends with, “Blessed are those who can see the Lord in all these things!”

The Lenten Journey Day 20

John Dear (not John Deere, or a Dear John letter) writes a pointed essay advocating for complete non violence in today’s reading. Dear’s text is from Matthew 26:50-52, though the narrative is in the other three gospel accounts as well, and gives the account of Jesus’ arrest in the garden. One of His disciples, John tells us its Peter, grabs his sword and cuts off a soldier’s ear. Jesus immediately rebukes Peter and tell him to put away the sword.

Dear builds on this text and makes a case for pacifism for all believers in every area of life. He says definitively to the question of if Christians can be be employed by the Pentagon, the police, or the nuclear-weapon's manufacturers, “ If we will obey the last words of Jesus, the we will not, like Judas, side with the imperial authorities- and we will not employ their means of violence. We will refuse to carry weapons, even for the noblest reason, and we will not work for any institution that inflicts violence. We prepare, instead, to undergo what Christ undergoes.”

There are very legitimate arguments against Dear's absolute conclusions. For example, I would argue that it’s possible for Christians to have employ in “violent” institutions and work for reasonable peace from within instead of complete opposition from without. However, even if one disagrees with Dear’s conclusions, this text and the overall example of Jesus should challenge us at it pertains to the human penchant for destructive anger and violence.

Dear says that Peter, and other followers, were not really protecting Jesus with their swords but looking out for their own selves and interests. Do we resort to or promote violent speech/actions that more serve OUR causes than the purpose of Christ? Do we jump in with the mob or consider how the Spirit of God might have us to respond? Dear cites Isaiah’s call for turning plows into plowshares. I wonder if something like turning Facebook posts into notes of praise might be a contemporary application. It’s worth considering at least.

The Lenten Journey Day 19

In today’s reading, Meister Eckhart, takes up the narrative that is the subject of our Sunday morning sermon today at UBC. Eckhart is reflection on the synoptic (Matthew, Mark, Luke) account of the clearing of the temple by Jesus during the week leading up to the crucifixion. The sermon focuses on John’s account of what I believe to be the first of two temple clearings at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Eckart looks at the temple cleansing from a perspective of Lordship. He then pivots to an inward application of this narrative. The Lord’s temple, asserts Eckhart, is the soul of each of His human creations. Christ desires to be the sole occupant of the soul. So, He clears out whatever is within us that conflicts with His presence. Eckhart compares the merchants in the temple courts with our human penchant towards setting up an exchange system with God. We exchange what we’ll do for Him with what we want done for us. This is sinful because it alienates the supreme grace of Christ at work in our lives.

“See! This is how the temple is cleared: when a person thinks only of God and honors him alone. Only such a person is free and genuine.” It is that genuine nature of soul that we should seek.

The Lenten Journey Day 18

Today’s reading is a written dialogue between Nicaraguan Priest Ernesto Cardenal and the congregants from a migrant Farmer’s camp on the island of Solentiname. Cardenal recounts the NT narrative of Mary Magdalene washing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume out of an alabaster jar. The remainder of the article is the group engaging all the aspects of the narrative and applying it to their own lives. Their reactions are honest and insightful.

I am drawn to Cardenal’s discussion over Jesus’ comments after the event and following the disciples’ negative reaction. Jesus praises Mary’s act, prophesizes its historical impact, and ends with an intriguing, confusing final statement. He says, “the poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me with you.” I have taken this simply to be Jesus pointing out the ongoing reality of a poverty in a sinful world and his temporary state in the flesh. Cardenal doesn’t dismiss this interpretation but he does postulate another aspect of interpretation. Cardenal says to the group, “Very simply. As long as there are poor, they will always be among us, we shall not be separated from them. Because the Christian community must be with the poor.” Furthermore, he points out the possibility that the poor among us is actually the presence of Christ, to be replaced by the risen Christ at His second coming. Certainly, the inhibited, perfected new earth will not know the reality of poverty, everyone will be satisfied and content. But that does not mean that the presence of current poverty should always come with a stain and stench of evil.

To see the poor, really see them is to see Christ. To serve the poor, to listen to them is to serve and hear from Christ himself. To be rich is not to overcome a sin of poverty. To be rich is to be filled with the contentment of knowing and doing the will of Christ to the glory of God.