Let me make this clear, I don’t care what your are giving up for Lent…
Seriously, I don’t care. In fact, I have never understood, nor cared for, the ritual flogging Roman Catholics (and others) inflict upon themselves every late winter or early spring. I would never belittle anyone’s sacrifice large or small, or if it seemed silly to me. Only God can look on the heart and only he is the righteous judge.
Jesus said: “Then Yeshua said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and let him come after me.” (From the Aramaic Bible in plain English-Matthew 16:24). This is a far cry from “I am giving up sweets, chocolate, micro wave popcorn, meat on Fridays-seriously, forsooth!
Let’s look at what Our Lord and Savior said “Deny himself (unpleasant) Take up the cross (wow that’s a harsh metaphor), and let him come after me.
St. Paul said: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2: 20-New American Standard Version).
Wow for me some very big shoes to try to fill! How do I even begin to live up to this standard and it very important for St Paul also said: “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1: 27-New International Version)
So what I really want to know-mostly for myself-what am I going to do? I have some ideas for myself:
1) Read the Book! It’s pretty simple-this is the Holy and eternal Triune Gods Word to us about his character and his directions for our lives. If I can’t do anything else, I am going to read through the book of Mark.
2) I like Mary, will ponder in my heart, what I have read, and I will ask the Holy Spirit of God to guide me into the truth.
3) I will keep my temper! A tough one for me, but I’m doing it! Our Savior is a
Master of patience and peace, not rage.
4) I will reach out to my fellow human. I don’t know how yet, but I am going to do this as our Lord commands.
So this is what I am doing for Lent. Not giving up sweets, popcorn or the like. I am going to try to be Christ to every person that I meet. If I do that, I will be at least a mediocre Christian
Big D
