Author: lakewooducc

Lent is a time to remember that it is in our character to make mistakes and to fall short. We don’t always do what is good and true. We have been given free will and we often err.

But Lent is also a time to remember that we have been made in the image of a God of incredible mercy, grace, and forgiveness. We have been given the divine capacity for forgiveness – of ourselves and of others. And we need it!

Without forgiveness, the pressure of wrong doing – the regrets, the remorse, the anger, the resentment – just builds and builds and builds. And that can lead to doing more things that we need to be forgiven for. We can cause more harm to ourselves and to others and to the world. Where is the release? The relief? The peace?

In the divine scheme, we are given the capacity to forgive as an accompaniment to our free will. Freewill and forgiveness go together.

This Lenten season is a time to think about where forgiveness is needed in our lives. Where have we been let down? How have we disappointed ourselves? What harm has been done to us? Yes, Lent is definitely a time for forgiveness: Forgiveness of ourselves and of others.

Lectionary readings for the day:

Psalm 77
Job 5:8-27
1 Peter 3:8-18a

Prayer: May we accept the gift of forgiveness praying for the highest good for those we have wronged and who have wronged us. Amen.

I have a Newfoundland dog named Fergus. He is docile, loyal, and obedient. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, he is always the same. You can depend on it. He is constant. Steadfast. That’s the only way he can be. Only one time in seven years has he departed from his nature and character. We were in a situation indoors that was extremely crowded and very loud. And he just pulled out of his collar and headed to the door to get out. That’s the only time he has not been completely “himself.”

As humans, our character and behavior are more complex. We can’t be counted on to have these constant character traits. We are all a mix of good and bad and it’s always a toss up which side is going to triumph in any given circumstance. The story of Adam and Eve is a way of explaining that humans are this way. It is simply our nature. And we cannot overcome it. Think of how someone you would least expect does something very bad and completely out of character. We all know that this happens. We also know that sometimes people we don’t expect much of surprise us with their good will or generosity. Who would have thought it? We are always a mix. That is our nature. That is the character of our species.

We can never be totally, unquestionably good and pure. And we are never completely bad, immoral, and beyond redemption.

Lent is a time to honestly accept our full humanity and the full humanity of others.

Lectionary readings for the day:

Psalm 77
Job 4:1-21
Ephesians 2:1-10

Prayer: May we never give up on ourselves or one another. With eyes open to our potential for evil and harm, may we cultivate the good that is within every human being. Amen.

What are you giving up for Lent? How is that going? We talked about this one day over lunch this week. One of the people present said he was giving up desserts for Lent. After lunch, dessert was offered. Cheesecake. One of his favorites. He said with a smile, “If I hadn’t told you I was giving up desserts for Lent, I could have some.”

We may have the best of intentions but how do we really live in to the commitments that we identify as being important to us? One of the ways we do that is by declaring our intentions: Sharing what we want to do and be with others. That sharing commits us. We can’t just change our mind, or back out, or ignore what we have openly shared with others. If you tell your friends that you are going to stop drinking and then you are out at a bar that nudge to stick to your word may help you to maintain your intention. When people get married, they say “I do” for life in front of witnesses. It is binding. Having said it in front of others helps us to keep our word.

By telling someone about a commitment you are helping yourself to fulfill that commitment and you are building in support for yourself as you seek to adhere to your intentions.

We need one another to help us fulfill our commitments and intentions. To help us live into our highest good. To be our better selves. Alone, it is too easy to give in to the temptation to cheat, to rationalize, and to make excuses.

So what are you giving up this Lent? Who have you told?

Lectionary readings for the day:

Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

Prayer: May we have the courage to declare our commitments and intentions thus helping to ensure our faithfulness. Amen.