Author: lakewooducc

This month’s selection for the book club that I have been part of for over 20 years is Race-Baiter by Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times. I highly recommend the book. As I am reading the book, it is glaring that we live in a culture that expects us to judge other people. With the increase in news outlets and information sources due to technology and the internet, we are exposed to vast amounts of information. But we are also exposed to far more opinion than we ever have been. And what is opinion? It is a form of judgment. And all of this judging is creating more and more divisions among people.

We have to have a way to sort through all of the information that comes our way. That is important. So we have to decide about news sources and the credentials of “experts.” But all of this information involves more and more judging.

So I believe that in our culture, instead of getting more discerning, we are getting more judgmental. We jump to conclusions based on limited information. We decide about people before hearing their story. We categorize and stereotype.

In the 16th century spiritual classic, The Cloud of Unknowing, by an unknown writer, we hear about judging. We are reminded of its significance and severity:

“Let me ask you something. Who can judge another person’s actions? . . . Passing judgment on another is a profound responsibility that must never be taken lightly. . .We must never forget that judging another human being is a terrible burden.”

Lent is a time to reflect on our lives and reconnect with God. What would it be like if we did less judging? We might find our burden lighter; our load not as heavy. It may actually be a relief. And instead of playing God by judging, maybe we will find ourselves feeling more closely connected to God, upheld by divine love, and closer to other people as well.

Prayer: It’s easy to fall into the pattern of judging others and making assumptions about them. May we relieve ourselves of this burden. May we realize the weight that judgment has and the toll it takes on others as well as ourselves. May we leave the judging to God who invites us to be made whole through love. Amen.

I recently attended a funeral and the well-known scripture from John was read: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” [John 14:2] As I heard this, I thought about that phrase, ‘prepare a place for you.‘ To me this sounds like getting a guest room ready; getting ready for a visitor. I had visions of putting clean sheets on a bed, dusting, vacuuming, making sure there’s a reading light accessible from the bed and some empty hangers in the closet. I go to prepare a place for you. Hearing this, I imagined Jesus like a maid in a hotel. It was an uncharacteristic musing about Jesus to be sure.

As I pondered this, not only is it ridiculous, but it is also fitting. Jesus was a servant. He served others. He called his followers to serve others. So we should not be surprised at associating discipleship with service, even menial service. In the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, we are shown that there is no work too humble or too menial for Jesus. Nothing is “beneath” him. He is a humble servant.

As we think about Living Love in this season of Lent, we want to remember that to live love will likely involve serving others in ways that are basic and menial. We should not shirk from this. This is love in action. We are called to love God, ourselves, our neighbors, our enemies, and the earth. This may even mean getting our hands dirty! Oh, and remember, we are told of Jesus squatting down and writing in the dirt!

Prayer: We find our highest good by loving. May we never be afraid to love, even when it gets hard and messy. Nothing was beneath Jesus. He chose humility and service. May we do the same. Amen.

If you know me, then you know that I am extremely enamored of my dogs. All three of them. But the newest one, Andre, the one year old pup, is a joyful delight. He is extremely energetic and never tires. (I am secretly hoping to catch some of his “bounce”!)

Among Andre’s many endearing charms is his attentiveness. He is always watching the people around him. He pays attention to the slightest sound. He stares and his head tilts and his ears perk up as I move around the house. He is always tuned in to his family. Taking it all in. Never missing a signal, a gesture, a look, a nod. He studies us like a scholar translating an ancient manuscript.

Andre is teaching me about paying attention. And in this Lenten season, we are reminded about paying attention to God. Are we tuning in to God all of the time and with great concentration and focus? Are we noticing all that is being shown to us? Do we see the many dimensions and layers of our experience? Are we seeing and learning the way of love? Andre reminds me to be more attentive.

From my beloved Newfie, Fergus, I am reminded about loyalty and obedience. From my girl, Nahla, I am reminded about self-care and determination. But from dear Andre, it’s curiosity, observation, and attentiveness. With all my dogs have to teach me, I can see why they are known as “man’s best friend.”

Prayer: In these Lenten days may we be attentive. Attentive to the natural world with its subtle shifts in our tropical climate. Attentive to the ways we are being invited to learn to love. Attentive to the people around us, their hopes and dreams and needs. Attentive to the ever-present divine spirit of love sustaining all of creation. Amen.