Grace to you as we begin our Lenten journey today. We met in the Parish Hall today, partly in recognition of our desire to include more people in our worship. We were invited to the observation of a holy Lent as we gathered. We were reminded that it is the combination of prayer, fasting, study, and action that we find ourselves restored to our community and those of faith. Our Hebrew scripture text was taken from the prophet Joel and served as the first reminder that God is slow to anger and will not turn anyone away who works to be restored to the community. Not by inconsequential actions but by offering of themselves. Our gospel reading from Matthew served to remind us that God sees the true offering, not the show we put on. God will know our intent, even if we miss the mark somewhat. Our psalm was our reminder that God’s preference is relationship and not punishment. But, to “escape” punishment isn’t free, we have to give our control of being in charge to truly restore ourselves to relationship. We are motivated by remembering that, “God does not care about chocolate… God cares about our changed lives.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 103; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
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