March 7-8, 2009
Second Sunday of Lent
Genesis 22:1-18 Romans 8:31-34 Mark 9:2-10
How many times have we heard someone say: ‘I would do ANYTHING ….to get that job…to go on a date with her/him……to get into that college….to have a decent night’s sleep……to live in that neighborhood…..to drive that car…to lose 40 pounds.’ Really? ANYTHING? Granted, many of us are prone to grandiose and exaggerated statements but it does pose an interesting idea…just how far are we willing to go for something? In this weekend’s selection from Genesis we hear the story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice (at his own hand) his son in deference to his relationship with God. While in today’s culture we would decry such an action as criminal and the sign of a twisted mind, the image of sacrifice reinforces the question of how far we will go in order to obtain what we want/crave/desire/need. Will we remove our kids from private school if our financial health is threatened? Will we forgo a vacation to save for a rainy day or emergency? If we are unemployed and facing foreclosure will we contemplate a move out of state or out of county? If our marriage is in trouble, will we seek out authentic counseling to try to save it? If our friends are inviting us down unsavory paths, will we sever the connections? The cold-splash of maturity reminds us that those things to which we set our hearts and minds will require sacrifice and a prioritization of competing events, ideas and relationships. Just a small example….a few weeks ago Lent was initiated with hours and hours of opportunity to come and receive ashes in the wee hours before work or school. Recognizing that some people completely forgot that it was Ash Wednesday….how about the pretty large number of people who seemingly chose to NOT get out of bed a little early? Was it a definitive choice to NOT wear ashes that day? Was it an impossibility to set the alarm clock a little earlier? When we are in our conversations with God (prayer), do we somehow think that our relationship with Jesus will not require sacrifice? Do we somehow think that we can be a disciple of Jesus and never have to make any changes in our lives? This weekend’s scripture selections remind us that our relationships with God will indeed require sacrifice…as all meaningful relationships do. So, how far will you go…what will you do to deepen your relationship with Jesus? Would you do ANYTHING?
Thank you for joining our Corpus Christi Community as we take a few more steps deeper into Lent. Please take a Bulletin home with you for information on assorted Lenten opportunities throughout the week. Most especially, please take note of our outdoor Stations of the Cross Prayer Walk located on the strip of land between the Parking Lot and AV Parkway…it is available 24/7 for your prayerful use. Next weekend, we will be anticipating the good St. Patrick with the heady beverage synonymous with Ireland…free after all the Masses. Plan appropriately and bring your ‘designated non-Irishman’ to help get you home safely. As the extended hours of daylight savings time hint at the nearness of Spring, remember, you are loved. FKB
