Separation from the sacred.

06Mar
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
– Philippians 3:12

Lent is often seen as focusing on turning towards the Lord and changing our behaviors due to our mortality. We are reminded of our mortality on Ash Wednesday, as we are told “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” It is a good reminder, of course, to act now and put in the work that we’ve been putting off. But that work, and this season of Lent, are not just about reaching the end goal of salvation. We can, and should, be encouraged to know that the work of this season can bring us closer to God right here, right now.

I was recently listening to one of my favorite podcasts, “Dear Hank and John", where brothers Hank and John Green – known for their books, internet videos and advocacy for healthcare access – answer questions from fans. John is an Episcopalian who once served as a chaplain in a children’s hospital while considering seminary. Hank is an atheist. The brothers wondered in that episode whether that is their biggest disagreement. Eventually, John said that he believes Hell, if it indeed exists, would be defined as separation from the sacred. Then, John thought aloud that many of the sins associated with ending up there actually lead to separation from the sacred in this world as well. Hank, even as someone who doesn’t believe in God, agreed. There are things, both of them said, that can take us away from a “sacred,” even if Hank’s definition of that is an internal one based on the type of person he aspires to be.

In the sermon at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Stuart, FL on Wednesday, the rector spoke, among other things, of the purpose of fasting. Fasting, he said, is the act of abstaining from things that pull us away from God. Then, once those things are pulled away, we can enter a deeper place of prayer. It is not hard to see a connection between that definition and the worldview that John and Hank Green agreed on. We must strive towards a goal, and that goal often requires us to give up things that our worldly selves may desire.

If you give into some of those desires, accidentally eat the candy or soda you gave up or otherwise slip up on your goal this Lent, Paul gives us some good news in today’s reading from his letter to the Philippians. Even Paul, who wrote more of the Bible than anyone else, makes clear that he is not writing from a place of perfection. He has not yet “reached the goal.” But he tells us that he is trying, and that the attempt itself is a way of honoring Christ.

Musical Reflection - Judah and the Lion - Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, and guide me to empty myself to make more room for Christ. Amen.
New TestamentLent

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