Lent: A Time of Grace

Homilist: Dcn. Karen Reeman

St. James, Eatontown
rd
3 Sunday in Lent (C), Feb. 28, 2016
I. Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves:
Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls. . .
This is the opening of todays collect
I can think of no more profound expression of our complete dependence on
God: 1) we have no power; 2) keep our souls and bodies.
II. Our dependence on God is the theme of all the readings today.
In the OT reading from Exodus we hear that the people of Israel are powerless
over the Egyptians, so God sends Moses to ask Pharaoh for their freedom.
Moses is also powerless without God. Moses questions God, Who am I that I
should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? God answers, I
will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent
you . . . God continues to reassure Moses, I AM WHO I AM . . . Thus you
shall say to the Israelites I AM has sent me to you.
Psalm 63 reiterates our dependence on God: (5) My soul is content . . . (6)
When I remember you . . . (7) For you have been my helper, and under the
shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
III. In todays NT reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul takes the theme of our
dependence on God one step further. He warns us of what happens when we rely
on ourselves; when we no longer acknowledge that we our powerless.
Paul describes the various ways in which the Israelites dishonored God. He
says: do not become idolaters, do not indulge in sexual immorality, do not
put Christ to the test (i.e. engage in dangerous behaviors), and do not rail
against God.
Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt but because they stopped recognizing
Gods sovereignty, most of them were struck down in the wilderness.
V. And finally, in the gospel according to Luke, Jesus refutes the misplaced (but
popular idea) that there is a one-to one correspondence between good behavior and
reward or bad behavior and punishment:
Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way [at the hands
of Pilate] they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but
unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who
were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on themdo you think that they
were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you;
but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.
VI. What are we supposed to do?
Being good doesnt protect us from suffering, but if we dont repent, we are
sure to perish.
Im as dense as Jesus disciples and need help. I turn to Paul for a clue.

VII. In 1 Corinthians Paul gives us one of the most beautifully concise statements of
Christian faith.
So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall (i.e. no one
stands on his own accord).
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone (i.e. others
have suffered as you have).
The belief that distinguishes us Christians: God is faithful, and he will not let
you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide
the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
As Christians, how do we endure? What is the way that Christ provided? (i.e.
The Way of The Cross).
VIII. You may not have attended an Ash Wednesday service.
I dont think thats unusual.
If your childhood was anything like mine, the only church services besides
those on Sunday mornings that my family attended were Christmas and
Easter.
IX. The season of Lent is connected with these 40 days, the days that Jesus spent in
the wilderness.
I think most Christians associate the Lenten season with giving up something
or doing some other selfless act.
Everyone I know who attends church is involved in some ministry and give
generously of their time and talents. Most church members have at least one
the altar guild, acolyte, chalice bearer, choir, vestry, etc. and many are
involved in more.
I cant imagine why adding additional burdens to anyone who is already
overcommitted would either be permanent or somehow lead to salvation.
X. Lent is not necessarily about giving up something or doing more, but about doing
something different.
Lent is about making a change, however small, that brings us closer to living
a life in Christ; that brings us closer to the cross.
XI. Jesus called God Abba, Father, and had an intimate relationship with the Lord.
I am currently reading The Riches of Prayer (preface by the Rev. Canon
Joyce). The Author describes prayer as the simple converse between the
Living God and the living soul.
It is through prayer that we develop our relationship with God Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit
XII. There are many ways to pray.
At St. James there is Centering Prayer (Thurs. evening), Intercessory Prayer
(last Sat.), and during the Lenten Season, Stations of the Cross (Wed.
evening) and Lectio Divina Meditations (Sunday).

Prayer is the real Lifting up of the Living Soul to the Living God. This is the
very essence of prayer. All other definitions of prayer deal with its parts.
(Riches, p. 3)

XIII. In Lukes gospel, Jesus tells this parable:

A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit
on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, See here! For three years I
have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down!
Why should it be wasting the soil? He replied, Sir, let it alone for one more
year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well
and good; but if not, you can cut it down.
XIV. This Lenten season I invite you to deepen your prayer practice.
Pray in a manner that is meaningful to you.
It doesnt matter how you pray, but that you pray. AMEN.