For most of us in the Southeast spring came a day early this year. Friday was the first day that we were able to turn off the heater and leave the doors and windows open all day long. I was amazed at two things on this sunny day. First I was amazed at how quickly a house that has been so cold can become uncomfortably hot. At the same time I was surprised at how sweet and clean the fresh air (undoubtedly filled with allergens) smelled. We had not noticed how stale and used up the air in the house had become. The fouling of our air was not an over night phenomenon rather it was a slow and gradual process over weeks of bitter cold.

Likewise this time in Lent usually provides a breath of fresh air for our spirits. As creatures of habit, we need season of refreshment, renewal, and growth. What a gift that our spiritual calendars should be in sync with the natural rhythms and weather patterns. We know that there is still a threat of frost in the coming weeks, but we now know for certain that the longer days and warmth of spring are upon us. Similarly, we are reminded of the nearness of the kingdom of God, while not completely present in our lives. We may still have battles and struggles between here and Easter, but we have tasted the sweet air and sunshine of what is to come.

Today we will spend some time in the sunlight. We will listen for God in the explosions of life that surround and fill us. We will meditate on the gospel of resurrection in the midst of colors quickly overcoming the greys of winter. Once more we will discover all that has been eagerly waiting in dormancy for the first golden rays of spring. Tomorrow we will carry this excitement and joy with us into our places of worship. Tomorrow we will allow our hearts to bud and bloom in unrestrained joy as we sing praise to the God of the fig trees and willing servants. Today and tomorrow we will strain to lift our voices above the hymns of creation in honor of our Lord. – Rev. John Mattox

Let us pray,
O God, in mystery and silence you are present in our lives,
bringing new life out of destruction,
hope out of despair, growth out of difficulty.
We thank you that you do not leave us alone but labor to make us whole.
Help us to perceive your unseen hand in the unfolding of our lives,
and to attend to the gentle guidance of your Spirit,
that we may know the joy you give your people. Amen.
- Ruth Duck, 464 UMBOW

If we wanted to trace our spiritual history back to its beginnings it would be a simple statement, “God heard the cries of his people in captivity and acted with an mighty hand to deliver them from the house of bondage.” Over and over throughout Scripture and human history this simple story is rehearsed and repeated. God hears the voices of God’s people and enters into the fray setting the oppressed free. It happened for Israel repeatedly, and it happens for us. This is the source of our patterns of behavior and the basis of our trust during this season of Lent.

But have you ever listened long enough to these stories to hear the full explanation as to why God would do such acts of power on behalf of such a miserable and ragtag bunch of folks? Moses told Pharaoh to let the Children of Israel go so that they might…SERVE THE LORD. The simple fact and beauty that we often miss is that we are not only saved from something terrible (slavery to sin and death) but we are also saved for something much better (freedom to choose to serve God and others). God forgives the past so that we might have the present as a new day complete with a fresh choice to serve God free from the baggage and sin that clings so tightly to us.

God not only wants to make us free, God wants to give us a new land of opportunity and prosperity. God wants to create a new people and create a fresh start. Only when we are free from fear can we truly choose to serve God and others.

Today Jesus tells us that God wants us to have the kingdom. God fully intends to give us the riches of eternal life that begins today and never ends. We do not have to worry about tomorrow and what worlds might await beyond this. We can place our trust in God for all these things. What we are then left with is today. Today we find ourselves freed of the shackles and liberated to do what is good and just and right. Knowing that we are heirs to the unimaginable and eternal wealth of God makes us free to share the things we now hold in trust with a generous and joyful spirits and thankful hearts! Do you trust in the promises of a Holy and Righteous God? Today is your chance to show it! Live as free children of the Living God. Today you have been set free! Thanks be to God! – Rev. John Mattox

Let us pray,
O Lord, our treasure
Help us not to be afraid of the
slings and arrows that are all about us.
Help us to put our trust only in you.
Amen.
-Rev. Katie Mattox

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

One of my favorite hymns, Be Thou My Vision, is attributed to Saint Patrick. Today while some celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick with green beer and ethnic stereotypes that would be unthinkable if they were directed against anyone other than the Irish, we will meditate on his words and have him lead us in prayer. – Rev. John Mattox

Be Thou My Vision
(from the 1964 Hymnal of the Methodist Church)
Attributed to Patrick (389-461)
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Let us pray,
May the strength of God pilot us,
May the power of God preserve us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the way of God direct us,
May the shield of God defend us,
May the host of God guard us against the snares of evil
and the temptations of the world. Amen
– Patrick