Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
This year I decided to listen to the “Bible in the Year” podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz as a New Year’s resolution. Although we are only in March, I have noted that much of scripture is focused on looking back and learning from past experiences. Today’s readings seem to echo this concept of reflection; I realize that using this mindset can be a valuable approach to growing in faith.
The first reading from Jeremiah highlights the many ways the Israelites have turned from God. They do not obey God and they “stiffen their necks” turning their back on God and on His covenant. God is reminding the people that He has commanded them to “Listen to my voice, then I will be your God and you shall be my people.” Today’s psalm again reminds us of how God is calling all to listen to His voice, and to not have hardened hearts as in the past. Again and again, God calls out and offers mercy and forgiveness, despite the repeated failings of people. As the Israelites look back, they can see how often they have strayed from God’s commands, and yet they also witness how God continues to offer them love, protection and mercy. These reflections of human sin and the generous outpouring of God’s grace become a theme that continues in the Bible, until it reaches its pinnacle with the arrival of Jesus and the Kingdom of God that He mentions in the gospel reading today.
As I consider these readings today, I think that God is inviting me to incorporate reflection- looking back – into my faith journey. Unfortunately, it seems that our lives are so driven by the next thing, that we seldom take the opportunity to look back and see where God has been active in our lives, and the ways that we can better follow God’s call. In her book “Inner Compass”, Margaret Silf invites the reader to write a faith story- “An account of your inner journey through the outer events of your life. It is the story of how you have gradually or suddenly become aware of the relationship with God and the ways in which he has been leading you.” As she describes this exercise, it is to “put the reader in touch with important events and people who have helped reveal God’s presence. It also helps to draw a person’s life together to see how God has been a part of that journey.” After completing this process, Silf suggests that the reader say, “Here I am, and this is how I feel I have become who I am. Let us journey on together toward who I shall become.”
As part of our Lenten experience, I invite each of you to consider taking an opportunity to compose your personal faith story. Where has God been present in your life? How have you responded to God’s call in the past? How have your turned your back or been hesitant to follow? Can you see the many experiences and people that are important in your journey as you grow in faith? After you take the time to reflect on where you have been and where you are currently in your faith journey, consider spending time in prayer asking God to be with you as you move forward to becoming the person God calls you to be.
Loving God, you created all to be in relationship with you, and you continue to invite all things to draw closer. Jesus reveals the magnitude of your love through His life, death and resurrection. Send us your Spirit, so we may recognize the many ways that you have been present in our lives in the past, and give us the courage and grace to hear your call and follow you as we seek to be a part of your kingdom both now and in the future. We pray all of this in Christ’s name. AMEN.
-Marylynn Herchline