We are now in the Season of Lent. A time to prepare for Easter as we examine our conscience. On Ash Wednesday we were admonished to commit to the “observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.” It is a call to obedience, a call to return to God’s ways.
In today’s Psalm we hear Then I acknowledged my sin to
you, and did not conceal my guilt. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to
the Lord.” Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin. Until we are willing to
admit that we have done things that separate us from God’s love, we cannot
begin to be restored to right relationship.
The reading from Genesis 2 reminds us of the first sin—the first
rupture of the relationship between God and his creation. Eve and then Adam eat
of the fruit of the tree they have been forbidden to use for food (Genesis
2:15-17, 3:1-7). The Epistle to the Romans tells us Therefore just as one
man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness
leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s
disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many
will be made righteous (Romans 5:12-19). Finally, in the Gospel we hear of
Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness where he refuses Satan’s blandishments to
easy fame and fortune (Matthew 4:1-11).
Psalm 32 begins by saying, Happy are they whose transgressions
are forgiven, and whose sin is put away! The Psalm ends with a promise, mercy
embraces those who trust in the Lord. Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the
Lord; shout for joy, all who are true of heart. As the Letter to the Romans
notes, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace
of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. We have the assurance
of forgiveness and grace, because of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an amazing
promise.
The Psalmist, centuries earlier, knew this same grace and
proclaims, You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround
me with shouts of deliverance. The Message translation is full of imagery the
Psalmist wouldn’t have known about. It says, God’s my island hideaway, keeps
danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck. But
the idea of “garlands of hosannas” is attractive. What image comes to mind? A
private island with just you and God where you can rejoice in God’s love and
grace all the time?
How often do we try to do life all by ourselves? The Genesis reading is a warning against that. The first couple thought they could gain knowledge for themselves by eating the forbidden fruit. All it brought them was sorrow and separation. If God is our ‘island hideaway’ why would be want anything else?
The obedience of Jesus in refusing to take the ‘easy route,’
offered by Satan, is a lesson in what should be our response to temptations.
Jesus ultimately tells Satan, Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ Quoting scripture drives
away the tempter. Remaining in relationship with God in Lent, and always, requires
us also to be grounded in discipline and obedience. As the Ash Wednesday
bidding says we do this by “self-examination and repentance; by prayer,
fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word.”
May you keep a Holy Lent.
|
Psalm 32 Happy are they
whose transgressions are forgiven, * and whose sin is put away! |
Count yourself lucky, how happy you
must be— you get a fresh start, your slate’s wiped clean. (The Message) |
