The Scripture readings this Sunday remind us of the unique relationship we have with God and the responsibilities we have in living up to that gift. The selection from Exodus gives us a long list of what we should and should not do as our part in the covenant that God initiated with us. Although not as long and complicated as the human laws that first bound the Jews, it is a formidable list that requires attention and diligence. Although designed to encourage right relationships, it is not an easy list to keep, simply because of our human nature. There are usually "good reasons" why we transgress what the Lord has asked us to do or not do, but, in truth, if we examine our consciences honestly, they really are "poor excuses".
St. Paul tells the Corinthians about the greater value of being in God's favor as opposed to that of humanity. Perhaps it is because we can not actually see God that we tend to want to please those whom we can see instead.. and often sin, most often rather foolishly, in hindsight. Lent seems to be a great time to look at God's invitation to us and why we should accept that one above the other not-so-good but enticing ones we are tempted by each day.
It is also human nature to react negatively to the sins of others. Jesus did that rather strongly (and uncharacteristically for Him) in this Sunday's Gospel in His cleansing of the temple. Somehow wrong-doing by those who are "supposed" to bring people closer to God ranks very high among the most heinous of transgressions. Perhaps it is that "church" people are held to a higher standard or perhaps it is because of the reality of a unique betrayal that occurs when, in the name of the Lord, they, too, prove to be too human in their own deeds or in how "their" establishments are run. This Gospel account tells us that Jesus Himself understood human nature well ! Nonetheless, those who have been victims of the sins of church-folks or unknowingly led astray by their example carry an added burden, the stinging slap of injustice.
Just like Jesus, we should be willing to make our houses of worship actual houses of worship rather than a marketplace. We should be careful that church business and actions of church-folks follow the example of the heart of Jesus where the voices of the poor and down-trodden are not silenced in favor of another (false) priority. If part of our unique covenant with God includes a closer identification with "church" , then let it be one that glorifies God rather than degrades what is holy.
Each of us has been given an incredible gift, the very invitation of God to be God's very own forever. Surely this Lent, each of us will be able to put that in a better perspective than we have before, a perspective that will allow us to be more authentically Christian, invisibly and visibly, as our response. That is my prayer for myself, for those I love,and for those I encounter. It is even for those who will see the just wrath of God against them in our modern times if they do not change their ways and make amends for intolerable actions that have defiled what is of God or led people astray or hurt others while they claim to be "of God". This type of forgiveness is what the Lord calls us to have if we are to follow not just His words but His heart. When all is said and done, however, even though it is not easy, it is necessary.
(Comments to Lanie at lanieleblanc@mindspring.com.)