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What are you afraid of? Things that go bump in the night?

Maybe there is fear of illness or the diminishing of abilities that comes with the aging process. Maybe we have financial fears. Maybe we have fears for others. But for the most part, I must say, that I don’t feel I live in fear from day to day. I am not afraid of getting shot, or contracting a fatal disease, or loosing my home, or the many other material fears that could plague my day to day life and are very real for others.

But Lent is a season to look deeper. What about other kinds of fears. Emotional fears. Subliminal fears. We may not feel those fears on a daily basis, but they are there. And, when we are honest, the list may be long.

It may be fear that keeps us from doing what is good – for us, for others, for the world.
It may be fear that keeps us from changing course in our lives.
It may be fear that prevents us from trying something new or making some change.
It may be fear that keeps us from getting involved in something that we may find meaningful.

It may be fear of failure, or fear of not being accepted, or even fear of succeeding that holds us back.

Fear may very well be keeping us from the full life and abundant joy that God intends for us. Fear may be stopping us from making a contribution to the greater good.

Fear has great power. It is controlling much of how people function in our society. The church has historically used fear to control people and to try to elicit “good” behavior from people: The fear of hell, of punishment, of God’s wrath.

There are many verses in scripture that encourage fear of God. Some scholars say that the word translated “fear” would be better expressed by the word “trust.” Trust in God instead of fear God.

The invitation from Jesus to live as part of God’s realm here and now has no fear attached to it. What fears are holding us back from saying “yes” to Jesus’ welcoming invitation to new life?

Lectionary readings for today:

Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45
Jeremiah 30:12-22

John 12:36-43

Prayer: We pray to be honest about our fears. When we identify them we begin to undermine their power. May we put our trust in hope and joy. Amen.

The church is looking for an Office Manager. We have gotten many email responses with resumes. It is clear in the position description that the job involves competence in oral and written communication.

Several of the emails that we received had numerous punctuation and spelling errors. These were beyond just the random typo. The issues were glaring.

At the same time, our son is looking for a job. It can be a really discouraging process. Our son sends out emails and resumes. He goes to the employers and fills out applications. And from most of them, he doesn’t hear a word back. It gets disheartening and defeating. He has asked himself, “What am I doing wrong? How can I improve?” He is desperate for constructive feedback so that he can be more effective in his job search.

In light of this, I decided to respond to the people who sent problematic emails mentioning the issue in what I thought was a considerate, constructive manner. It won’t get the person this job but it might help the person get another job. I have only heard back from one of those people and it was a long, scathing tirade. Who did I think I was to comment on her writing? And it went on and on and on. It was extremely condemnatory. (And it clearly demonstrated that this is not the person for Office Manager at the church!)

When we try to do the right thing, it doesn’t always go smoothly. In fact, we may even create problems for ourselves. Trying to do what is good may make our lives more complicated. It may even cause damage to relationships that we highly value. And we may have no control over the outcome.

It can be tempting to just take the easy way out. Don’t bother engaging. Don’t worry about doing the right thing when no one will know anyway. Don’t make the effort to be responsible when you don’t know if you will get a pay off.

Think of how easy it would have been for Jesus to stay home and make tables and chairs.

Lectionary readings for today:

Genesis 22:1-19
Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45
Hebrews 11:1-3, 13-19

Prayer: May we have the will to do what is right. To get involved. To invest in what is good and true. With faith and trust. Amen.

If you want to be able to chew food with your own teeth into old age, you have to take care of them. You know the dentist’s theme song, brush and floss. Then, as you get older, it’s brush with an electric toothbrush, and use a water pick, and use a mini brush between the teeth and swish with fluoride rinse, and floss. But teeth take care. If they are not cared for, significant problems can develop.

This is true for the rest of our bodies as well. There are things we need to do related to hygiene, diet, and exercise that are necessary to maintain our health.

The same is true for our souls. There are things that we need to do to tend our being, our essence, our spirit. The arts help to keep the soul healthy. Music, art, literature, and dance all help to feed the spirit. To keep the soul healthy requires silence. Time to think, to remember, to feel, without new input coming in. Just being quiet is needed for our spiritual health. Time in nature feeds the soul. Being with friends tends the spirit.

As those who have been called into the church, we also know that going to church every week is an important part of maintaining the health of the spirit. We never know what may happen at church. We don’t know who will be there. But we know that in that context, in that experience, we will have a needed opportunity to give in some way, and we will receive in some way, even if we don’t know that we are in need. That is the nature of church – of a community gathering to worship, sing, and pray. Something in the mix will stir our souls and move us. Somehow, our spirits will be lifted. In the midst of the surprise and mystery of it all, somehow we become more vital and alive and we contribute to the health of others.

Each night as we head to bed, we don’t think, “Well, should I brush my teeth tonight?” We don’t ask ourselves, “Do I have time for this today?” We don’t look at our schedule and realize that we simply are too booked to fit in a good teeth cleaning. No. We just do it. We simply pick up the brush. Every day.

That’s how is can be with church. Just do it. Don’t ask a lot of questions. Don’t analyze your schedule. Don’t assess your “to do” list weighing the pros and cons. Don’t schedule other things in that time frame. Just go to church. Every week. No deciding. Just show up. And your soul will be fed. Your spirit will be vital. In ways you may not readily recognize. But your life will be enriched.

Lectionary readings for the day:

Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45
Genesis 21:1-7
Hebrews 1: 8-12

Prayer: We pray for the strength of will to pursue the disciplines that contribute to the health of body and spirit. Amen.

“Live long and prosper.” This familiar Vulcan salute rings in our ears spoken in the deep and sonorous voice of Mr. Spock [aka Leonard Nimoy] of Star Trek. Some of us grew up with this benediction blessing our days. Spock had much to teach us. He conveyed a message about living as a mixed blood individual and about being different. Lessons we are still trying to learn.

Perhaps the most significant thing that Spock showed us was the importance of reason, logic, and intellect. He showed us how to use our heads. He made it cool to be smart, principled, and logical. We could use that lesson again. Scientists give us verifiable data about the environment. It is for the most part ignored. We have access to facts about food and diet. Yet unhealthy, even dangerous habits continue. Economists give us data and analyses related to the economy. Greed speaks louder. The doctor tells us to quit smoking or we’re going to die and we light up. Alcohol causes incalculable costs to society and drinking to excess continues. Educators give data driven information about educational methods yet they are virtually ignored by school boards, legislatures, and parents. We could go on and on. Humans have extensive intellectual abilities. We have the capacity to reason. And yet we so often choose to act on habit or on personal short term interest ignoring the evidence at hand. Just take the easy way out.

The trouble is, that won’t result in the blessing we seek: Live long and prosper.

Lectionary readings for today:

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9

Prayer: May we use appreciate our capacity for reason and logic. May we use our brains to serve the dreams of God for a world that is truly home to all. Amen.

At a gathering of colleagues this week, one person brought up a series of changes he felt needed be made in another religion. It was a very carefully thought out analysis. I couldn’t help thinking that rather than prescribing a reformation of someone else’s religion, he should be thinking about a reformation of our own religion which certainly could use plenty of work on many fronts. How about a carefully thought out analysis of Christianity and a prescribed series of changes needed there?

When I think of the story of Jesus sent off into the wilderness, or the stories of Jesus going off to pray, what do I imagine? Do I imagine him praying, “God, please change the Romans? Give me a plan for reforming the Empire?” No. Do I imagine him praying, “God, turn the hearts of the pagans, the heathen, to Judaism?” No. I imagine Jesus praying to God to change him. To help him. Maybe he prayed for God to take away his anger toward the people who were threatened by him. Maybe he prayed for patience when he wanted to lash out at people. Maybe he prayed to be more loving and forgiving and understanding. Maybe he prayed for God to soften his heart. Maybe he prayed, “Here I am, Lord. It is I, Lord. I am tired of you calling in the night” to adapt a popular hymn. Maybe Jesus simply offered himself in submission and humility and meekness.

Lent is a time to think about how we need to change. It is a time to concentrate on the transformation that is needed within us. It is a time to consider how we need to be re-formed in the image of God. As Gandhi put it, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

So often if someone annoys me, I want that other person to change. But what about my need to change? Maybe I need to become more understanding. Or I need to be more patient. Or I need to be less judgmental. Or I need to be more accepting. Our prayer can be for ourselves to change and be more loving and for the other person’s highest good and well-being.

Lectionary readings for today:

Psalm 22:23-31
Genesis 16:7-15
Mark 8:27-30

Prayer: May we have the honesty and vulnerability to be open to our need for transformation and change. May we grow in our capacity to love even our enemies. Amen.