Contrite

06Mar
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’
-Luke 18:9-14


The gospel for Ash Wednesday reads as if it were written for our time. Within a nation divided between political camps, in a world divided along democratic and authoritarian lines, one of the responses most quickly utilized is BLAME; we readily and easily hold “others” responsible for the perceived problems of this world. I hear this righteous Pharisee saying, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people…” I trust that this prayer resonates with most of us. It can be so easy for me to see the arrogance in the lives of the Pharisees, but not when those same thoughts come from MY mind and heart.


How quickly on-line comments reached out to condemn and threaten Bishop Budde when she spoke at the President’s inaugural prayer service at the National Cathedral. She called for “mercy”, a cry that has gone out from prophets to leaders for thousands of years; bishops are called to be prophets when they are consecrated. To ask for mercy for those who have little power - the poor, the stranger, widows, orphans, children, women, gay, lesbian, transgendered, people of color - is one of the most Christ-like acts any of us could do. “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” acknowledges our need for a savior. That cry acknowledges our helplessness in the face of cruel power; that humility can keep us grounded in God. In fact, the word "humility” shares the same root that gives us “humus”, the dark organic soil material that IS earth, ground, dirt. This season of Lent calls us to humbly ask for mercy from God; we invite God in to save us from ourselves and from the merciless actions of abusive power. We ask God to lead us away from the temptation to: judge others unfairly; to refuse to forgive others; to lack mercy to those who struggle in this world; to hate our enemies; and to forget that we are all here by God’s gracious mercy. These temptations can bring us to a scary place, where we lack compassion, forgiveness, mercy, healing, and love. We are called, not to build a great nation, but to help build God’s realm, planted in humility and grown in love. Lord, have mercy.


“Remember that you am dust, and to dust you shall return.”


Musical Reflection - Have Mercy on Me - The Porter's Gate


Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lent

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