Lent 4
Lent 4
by Lanie LeBlanc, OP

These days of war certainly try the most hopeful among us! We listen to the happier times about stories of those who have lost their lives as remembered bravely but tearfully by those they loved. We see pictures that look like a planned fireworks display at an amusement park except it is not entertainment. The tales of what Saddam Hussein has told his soldiers including how to treat POW's they might capture elicit deep sighs and even deeper prayers. "Shock and awe" applies to everyone, on both sides of this conflict! My own personal litmus test of what I truly believe about all of this, as always, is in what I tell my daughters, or now at least the 15 year old one who doesn't quite "know it all " yet!

The Scripture readings provide some help this week in what I say to her. The bottom line is the first line in the selection from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "God.. is rich in mercy! " His love for us which shows us "the immeasurable riches of his grace" is a constant; it is there for the taking. The forty years of exile spoken about in the first reading as the result of the anger of the Lord was followed by a gift from the Ultimate Surprise - Giver in influencing a pagan king who promotes the rebuilding of the temple. Our own condemnation as human beings is reversed by the Gift of the Son of God, who brings light into the world of darkness once again. The last portion of this Gospel reading says "whoever lives the truth comes to the light so that his works can be clearly seen as done in God."

I find it very hard right now, at this very moment in our history, to see and believe, without reservation, that I was created by God, his handiwork is the term used, for the good works that He has prepared in advance for me to live. Well, I do and I don't believe, or maybe I just don't see clearly. One of my frequent images to describe the constancy of feeling that not-so-good things are happening is that I am weary of "ducking". (How appropriate during war, even thankfully, that I am not in the literal war zone here in the US! ) It is hard to look "up" when you are ducking. Sure enough though, the Surprise-giver has come through once again, just as I was about to give up on winning my labor dispute (and get an attorney). I am getting inklings, nothing official like a letter yet, that I will again be employed at the university in a different department before the semester ends as a positive resolution to the issue. Nice surprise!

Maybe the "baby step" for me in remaining hopeful in the time of war or serious personal difficulties is to learn how to side-step the problems rather than duck! There are always alternatives to my plans... God's Plan is so much better! Besides, I can look up when I am just swerving... and see the Light. His immeasurable riches are indeed there for the taking!

(Comments to Lanie at lanieleblanc@onebox.com.)