Today's lessons present a paradox. On a day when it is traditional for some to wear an outward sign of their penitence as a cross in ash on their foreheads we are given lessons that advise against such outward show of observance. The imposition of ashes is not part of my background but seems to be meaningful for many who go out of their way to kneel at the altar and get their faces made dirty as one non-believer remarked to our pastor. This being Texas one pastor even makes that practice a drive by ceremony.
When distressed in Biblical stories the rich rend their garments, a practice one such as I who grew up in poverty find terribly wasteful. As a sign of penitence in many religious traditions believers fast, give up favourite luxuries or resolve to give up secret vices, wear sack cloth, indulge in sadomasochistic practices, like Job go and sit in the Ash Heap or in other ways mortify the flesh and abase themselves. In the Catholic tradition confession is a sacrament.
In a portion of last Sunday's Psalm not included in the pericope:
Psa 50:14 Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God, and give the Almighty all that you promised.
The presentation of Offerings and Burnt Offerings as sacrifice for the expiation of sin was an integral part of the Old Covenant. Incense was used to mask the stench of rancid fat and burning flesh.
Christ repeatedly tells his followers it is not the observance of traditions, religious practices or even the law itself that counts; it is our inward thoughts and motivations that mark us as heirs of Adam in our sinful nature and our inward penitence and turning away that mark us as touched by the Holy Spirit and members of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The concept is not new. Samuel, in searching out the man he would anoint as successor to the reign of Saul who had fallen out of favour with God gets this message:
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said to him, "Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart."
Or
Joe 2:13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Or:
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psa 51:16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Today's Gospel is taken from Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount omitting the verses that include the Lord's Prayer from today's lesson.
Our church membership should not be a matter of convenience because it looks good on our resume or will make us look more attractive to some voters if we run for office. Our charity should be given in secret rather than in the establishment of trusts and fellowships in our names or the building of edifices named for us. Our piety is a matter between us and our God and should not be marked by public display. Our Christian observance should not draw attention to us but to the God we serve.
Christianity is not a stopgap insurance policy we take out because there may be something to it or we may need it in future; we are either all in or all out.
Today marks the beginning of Lent, a time for quiet reflection and contemplation before the Festival of Easter. If traditional observances or symbols help reenforce the discipline then by all means remembering always that it is the inner journey that counts.
When distressed in Biblical stories the rich rend their garments, a practice one such as I who grew up in poverty find terribly wasteful. As a sign of penitence in many religious traditions believers fast, give up favourite luxuries or resolve to give up secret vices, wear sack cloth, indulge in sadomasochistic practices, like Job go and sit in the Ash Heap or in other ways mortify the flesh and abase themselves. In the Catholic tradition confession is a sacrament.
In a portion of last Sunday's Psalm not included in the pericope:
Psa 50:14 Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God, and give the Almighty all that you promised.
The presentation of Offerings and Burnt Offerings as sacrifice for the expiation of sin was an integral part of the Old Covenant. Incense was used to mask the stench of rancid fat and burning flesh.
Christ repeatedly tells his followers it is not the observance of traditions, religious practices or even the law itself that counts; it is our inward thoughts and motivations that mark us as heirs of Adam in our sinful nature and our inward penitence and turning away that mark us as touched by the Holy Spirit and members of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The concept is not new. Samuel, in searching out the man he would anoint as successor to the reign of Saul who had fallen out of favour with God gets this message:
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said to him, "Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart."
Or
Joe 2:13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Or:
Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Psa 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psa 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Psa 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psa 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psa 51:16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Today's Gospel is taken from Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount omitting the verses that include the Lord's Prayer from today's lesson.
Our church membership should not be a matter of convenience because it looks good on our resume or will make us look more attractive to some voters if we run for office. Our charity should be given in secret rather than in the establishment of trusts and fellowships in our names or the building of edifices named for us. Our piety is a matter between us and our God and should not be marked by public display. Our Christian observance should not draw attention to us but to the God we serve.
Christianity is not a stopgap insurance policy we take out because there may be something to it or we may need it in future; we are either all in or all out.
Today marks the beginning of Lent, a time for quiet reflection and contemplation before the Festival of Easter. If traditional observances or symbols help reenforce the discipline then by all means remembering always that it is the inner journey that counts.
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