Lent – Day 26
Lent 2010: A Season for Listening
3/18/10 – Day 26
Listening to The Teachings of Jesus: Part 14
You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?
- Luke 11:40
Have you heard some of the things that young people are saying about the Church? They are saying that we have lost touch with authentic Christian faith and practices. They are calling us judgmental hypocrites and narrow-minded bigots. To many of our children and grandchildren we have become whitewashed tombs. We are seen as those who strain for gnats and swallow camels. While I know there are some exceptions, I think they are mostly correct in their assessments. Rather than becoming offended, I think the Church should take these things to heart and begin a time of reflection and reformation. These might turn out to be words of life for us and for the youth we have neglected and excluded.
Think about it, for generations we have been focused on how our congregations and members should act. We have stressed how to behave in a manner that is pleasant and culturally expectable, but we have said very little about the need for transformation of the soul. In most congregations we just want people to show up on Sunday dressed appropriately and behave in a quiet and courteous manner. The result of course is to discourage those who do not dress or act in ways consistent with our taste. But have we become better people of all our attention to appearances? Are we any less likely to cheat on our taxes or spouses than anyone else? Statistically speaking we are not. We just sin with a little more tact and style. We have come too often to see Sunday morning as a way to escape from the guilt and consequences of our weekday transgressions. Now we know what some of us have long suspected, we are not fooling anybody!
Today we will forget what we think a Christian is suppose to look like and how we think we should act. Instead we are going to focus on an inward transformation and regeneration that begins deep inside and works its way out. Today we remember that God can see through our masks and start being honest. We need God to fix the broken mess inside our hearts, souls, and minds. We need to stop treating symptoms and start seeking the cure for our present condition. Today we stand naked before God and ask to be made whole. Stop playing games and let God deal with you in a real and lasting way! – Rev. John Mattox
Let us pray,
O Lord, who created all that is
all that was, and all that will ever be
Forgive our shortsightedness. Help us to be your people
both inside and out.
Amen.
-Rev. Katie Mattox
