Sunday Homily, February 25, 2007 – Lent, 1st Sunday
Readings: Deuteronomy, 26, 4-10; Psalm 91; Romans 10, 8-13; Luke 4, 1-13
Deuteronomy – The scene: The Israelites have escaped from Egypt and have been wandering in the desert for years. They are just about to enter The Land. They are assembled. Moses is addressing them and reminding them of all Yahweh has done for them over the years of wandering.
In our chapter he is telling them that when they have settled in their new land, where he will not accompany them, they must take a basket full of a portion of their first harvest, present it to the rabbi, and offer it as a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Romans – Paul writes to the Romans that all people, Gentiles as well as Jews, are invited to be part of the Christ event.
Lent!
I know I have mentioned this once a year or so ago, but I saw it again and it is so fitting to our Lenten time of year. Please bear with me.
The last time I was with Rosemary’s sister & brother in law in Hilton Head I was working out on a stationary bike in the little club gym. I look up and coming into the gym is a little old man leaning on a cane. He is hobbling along and bending a bit. I think the man is one step this side of a wheel chair.
I watch as he enters, stows his cane in the corner, pulls a gym towel around his neck, heads for an elliptical trainer, gets on, and begins to work out. I am stunned with the vigor he puts into the trainer. I finish with my half hour bike ride and depart with him still pumping away.
The man is one symbol of what Lent can be. It is like spring training that baseball and football teams are engaged in right now. For me this Lent is not a time of gloom, doom, penance, and a focus on sin. It is new life, becoming more fully alive, spring cleaning, getting into better shape. Becoming a more peaceful human.
Here are ten things you can do for spring training:
- Exercise more. Take a walk every day, even a couple of times a week.
- Eat more healthily. Beware of hidden ingredients, e.g., high fructose corn syrup.
- Mediate every work day morning for 15 minutes, maybe 5 minutes, giving thanks for your blessing of yesterday & today.
- Say thanks 5 times a day, once a day, especially to family members.
- Give one compliment a day, especially to a family member.
- One time a week phone someone or make a luncheon engagement.
- Read a book. A novel, a book I have recommended.
- Fun! Be more creative in doing fun things.
- Give yourself to something that helps others, like Colin Co. Adult Clinic or the Great Trinity Forest Clean up.
- Get into recovery for your addiction: alcohol, drugs, food, work, smoking, porn. We are all addicted.
You cannot do all of these recommendations. Choose one. Choose something not here.
Look ahead six week to the Sunday we gather for Easter, April 9. How will you have had a great spring training Lent?