Lent: Prodigal Love

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.  Luke 15.11-24


The story of the prodigal son, one familiar to us all. When we hear it or read it we so often remain focused on the prodigal son or his older brother. We remain caught up in their trespasses and sins for we see the story in ourselves. There is nothing wrong in admitting our failings and sinfulness – in fact it does us good to acknowledge these and even confess them – there is a freedom found. I know for myself I discover a glimpse of this freedom in the simple Jesus Prayer: 

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner.” 

This prayer has become a powerful prayer for me. Its simple words and repetitive style help me acknowledge my sinfulness but does not allow me to dwell there. This prayer brings me into the generous mercy of our living and loving God. 

This simple prayer reminds me of the Father of the prodigal son. He who has loved his son regardless of the son’s actions. He doesn’t stay focused on the sin rather he lavishes love, mercy, acceptance, worth and holiness on his son. This is our God who sees our sinfulness as a tiny pebble in the rock pile. Our God who focuses on love for us rather than our stumbling ways. Our God who delights in us and even in our weakness sees our goodness for we are created in the image of God. Our God who comes to us with a royal garment, a jewelled ring claiming how worthy and we loved we are because we have turned to God and simply said: I’m sorry. God’s love is beyond our words, actions, repenting and seeking forgiveness. God’s love penetrates all of who we are, in every breath taken and we are transformed again and again. We are embraced for the God is good and we are to taste and see this goodness which calls us to life.

Filled with compassion O God

You wrap your arms around us

In delight and great joy

You never hold us down in our shame.

You call us by our name O God

You see our worth and good

For we are created in your image

You remove all that is not of you.

We are called to life again O God

By your amazing love and generosity

You wrap us in the mantle of your goodness

Rejoicing over us and our return.

Listen! Listen to me! you declare O God

You are always with me

All that is mine is yours

Come and celebrate for I call you to life.

Lenten Blessings of peace and all good.

Lenten Growth

Jesus told 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.’” Luke 13. 6-9

This very interesting gospel is for me a reminder that Lent is about beginning again. Have you ever had a Lent that has sputtered along? Lots of starts and stops? Lots of let’s give this a try or that didn’t work giving that up? Or what should I do or will this deepen my journey? Well I’m having one of those Lents. I’ve always struggled with my Lenten actions (except for the year I gave up chocolate everything) and this year is no different. I have realized this year that with my schedule the way that it is my Lenten commitments to fasting, prayer and almsgiving must be simple. Which is the message I gave during my retreat presentations a few weeks back. It was this parable that helped me make sense of it all, was the reminder I needed and to embrace the weeks of Lent that are left and my Lenten promises I have made. 

The idea of “let it alone for one more year… dig around it… and add manure” are great images for our Lenten journey. Each day of Lent is like that “one more year” a new day with new opportunity to make good on Lenten promises or to begin again with the ones that are sputtering along. Each day of Lent can produce growth that will blossom into Easter fruit. I am again encouraged that in the digging, adding of good manure and taking care of the fig tree of my life is not an alone activity.

This parable also reminds me to be patient. There is a lot going on right now and in that I can easily lose focus. I am reminded of the goodness of the gardener who cares for the fig tree and all his crops and asks for the time to work with the plant. Growth is a test of patience and endurance and the results are beautiful (like a flower bursting open) and overwhelmingly delicious (like a good fig). I am reminded that being patient in the little Lenten promises and even the starting again in this midpoint of Lent is encouraging the growth the gardener is seeking. The gardener is an image of God “who will not give up on those who struggle with turning toward him… we are all “prized possession” (New Collegeville Bible Commentary – Gospel According to Luke – Patella) we are still called to growth and to root ourselves in God’s goodness. As mentioned above not an alone activity at all rather God at work in our lives (of course).

So, like the fig tree you and I desire nurturing and nourishment. We desire the digging around that God must do so we may grow and flourish and let go of the harshness and dead layers of winter. We desire the good manure to be worked into the earth in which we live and take root so that we can be strengthened and rise from the dung we like to pile on ourselves. Lent is a time to see that God desires nothing more than for us to encounter how much God is present in our growth and how much God desires us to be “well and good.” As we move towards the mid-point of Lent may we once again commit ourselves to our Lenten promises and know that God is digging around and making available many nutrients for growth in the Lenten days remaining.

God the Great Gardener,
You dwell here in the planted-ness of these Lenten days,
dig around us and add the good manure 
so we may grow deeper into you 
and then blossom forth with your love in our daily living.

Come Holy Spirit rain down on us 
as we stretch forth
and new life begins to emerge 
from our Lenten promises.

Jesus shine your light into our growing
so we may be strengthened in ways of love
which produce fruit.

Amen.

Lenten Blessings of peace and all good!

Lenten Praying

The gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent is always that of the Transfiguration of Jesus. I love this story; maybe because of the intimacy of it all, or the desire of the disciples or the reminder of being chosen or God reminding us that Jesus is gift for us the story of the Transfiguration is so rich with images. Yet this week as I reflected on it, I was drawn to the phrase “went up the mountain to pray” and the word “praying.” 

It was a good reminder that in this season of Lent that prayer is one of our guides; one of our markers; one of our disciplines which calls us into relationship and into life. An encounter and relationship  with and in Christ leads us into prayer and calls forth our prayers.

Prayer:
It awakens us to how God is working in our lives and how we are responding.

It is about openness to the Holy Spirit and trusting in the Spirit’s promptings.

Is about relationship, our communication with God and God’s communication with us.

A dialogue, an openness, an honesty which is about truth, growth, healing and the depth of being a child of God.

Is also about silence, the stillness and quiet which allows us to see God’s glory, mercy and graces poured into our lives.

Is transforming - moving us from old ways to new ways. We pass from death into life, we make our exodus into the power of God’s love.

Are moments that are “good to be here” in, as they provide us with strength to walk with confidence into our daily living – claiming our goodness. It is here that we bring Christ and the good news into our every day encounters. 

Connects us with Christ, he who prayed hears our prayers and prays in, with and for us. He, the receiver of our prayers and dwells within us – the intimacy of Christ is indeed a gift for us. He is with us here and hears our pleas. Are we open enough to trust that Christ offers us God’s will, love, mercy and graces as the answers?

Reminds us that like Jesus, we too are chosen. We are chosen in Christ, a child of God – worthy, holy and beloved. In being chosen we bear Christ and our prayers call us beyond ourselves into the beautiful love-fest in which the Trinity surrounds us and calls us to life. It is here that we hold others in prayer.

Prayer a key part of our nourishment, a strength; a life-line to Christ, God and the Holy Spirit.

God, Hearer of Prayers,

Thank you for the gift of prayer in our lives.

Thank you for your Son Jesus who shows us how to pray.

Thank you for the variety and beauty which is a life of prayer.

Continue to stir in us and in our lives of prayer.

Amen.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

As St. Patrick reminds us with his prayer:

Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ all around us.

Lenten Blessings of peace and all good!

Lent: Full of the Holy Spirit

Over the past couple of weeks I have been traveling for ministry. I have criss-crossed several paths and have met people from all walks of life. Traveling as an itinerant preacher allows for a few challenges (winter-road conditions, technological difficulties) and many blessings (an unexpected oasis, long visits, even time for family). The days were filled from morning to night with either final preparations, set up, conversations, meeting people and moments for prayer (not in my regular pattern) and each was blessed in so many ways. Each night as I laid down for sleep my heart was full of gratitude and praise.

The season of Lent began while I was on this preaching tour. It is always interesting to be out of one’s regular circumstances of life for Ash Wednesday. I have once been in Disney World (still made it to Mass) and this year saw me back in my hometown – a place I have not been for Ash Wednesday since probably the late 90’s. The day included travel, faith sharing and evening Mass (which even saw me distributing ashes to family, friends and neighbours). It is the faith sharing moment of the day that gave shape and has launched my season of Lent.

After preaching four back to back parish Lenten retreats, I was coming into Ash Wednesday a bit worn and wondering about how this season would take shape. My last blog framed the questions and reflections which I am going to continue to explore during Lent, but I was looking for something else? Something more? It clicked for me during the faith sharing.

On Ash Wednesday afternoon my Mom hosted a faith sharing group, which will continue to meet over the season of Lent. I was privileged and blessed to be part of their first gathering on this first day of Lent. The gathering consisted of all women. Most of these women have been a part of and have impacted my life since I was born and for those who have not been a part of my journey since birth they too have also impacted my life in other ways. It was a holy time; it was indeed sacred ground. The format for this faith sharing group is looking at the upcoming Sunday gospel. So at this first gathering we read, reflected and shared about the gospel story of the temptations of Christ.

I was drawn to the line “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4.1). This line speaks to me of the power of our baptism and the gift of being the beloved of God, for it reminds us that in baptism we too are filled with the Holy Spirit. It speaks of how we too are called to trust and that we do have the power to face temptations and trials. It reminds us that God is with us and in us – a part of our very DNA. It wasn’t until now days later that I can begin to put my finger on why that line stood out for me. It is because of the holiness of the time shared together and the holy ground on which I was privileged to be part of with these women of faith. As they shared stories about their journey, as they discussed Lenten plans and temptations they face, as they listened to each other, encouraged each other and even shed a tear or two they also were and are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was indeed present in the sharing and will continue to be in the weeks ahead. It was in their sharing and listening that I was reminded about the gift of the Holy Spirit present.

In this season of Lent you and me are also full of the Holy Spirit. This is my launching point for Lent, to walk into each day with a grateful heart and to embrace and acknowledge that the fullness of the Holy Spirit is at work in you and me. Instead of looking at Lent as a time which trudges along I now look at it with a fullness which can lead me closer to Christ and deepen my walk of faith. I am so grateful that I was able to be present for the faith sharing, these amazing and holy women have given me a great perspective for Lent – one I needed and for that I am thankful. As I pray, fast and give alms this Lent there must be a fullness present or these will be empty practices which lead to a unfulfilled Lent and I don’t want that.

As we enter this first week of Lent – I come at it with an awareness that the fullness of the Holy Spirit is indeed a gift and one that calls me and each one of us to deeper sharing, greater trust and a union with God and Christ Jesus. I once again am aware of the abundance of gratitude that fills my heart and the gift of sharing on the holy ground with the women of faith which kick-started my Lenten journey. (Thank you and thanks Mom!)

Lenten Blessings of peace and all good!

Abundance of the Heart for Lent

“It is out of the abundance of the heart

that the mouth speaks.” – Luke 6.45

It is easy to complain, to judge, to criticize, or deride. Too often in our lives this becomes the first things that come out of our mouth – we feel slighted or see someone else rewarded and our words become words of hurt and we fester and let the heart stir in darkness and bitterness. This is not the way of the gospel, this is not the way to life, this is not the way of love.

When I read the above quote from the gospel of Luke my thoughts turned instantly to gratitude and praise and goodness. It is when we can see the abundance in our lives that true perspective is given and what we seem to want to complain about or criticize looses it grip. Instead our words are filled with gratitude giving thanks for our abundant blessings, praise for how God is at work in our lives and an awareness of good which is always stronger than any evil or hurt which is made known. 

What is the abundance of our hearts?
I’ve been thinking of this as Lent draw near and begins this week.
Can I enter Lent with an abundant heart? Can you?
What is in the abundance of my heart? In yours?
Can it shape my Lent? How? 

As Lent begins my heart is full of an abundance of gratitude. Each day there are countless things for which to give thanks. Even when the day unravels or tragedy crosses our paths or loneliness tries to trap my heart seems to find an abundance of gratitude. When at the end of each day I think if an abundance of God’s good I know my heart is turning more and more to the gospel way, a life-giving way and is rooted in love. Sometimes it is the smallest of things from a comfortable bed or a hug to grand things such as extended time with family and friends or a revelation in prayer. God’s abundance is always a part of my life even when I don’t see it. During this upcoming Lenten time my simple goal is to proclaim with the psalmist, “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you” (Psalm 92).

It is with this abundance of the heart that my Lent will be guided. To give praise and thanks to God for the journey of Lent – a time for prayer, for fasting and for almsgiving. These simple practices can only lead to a heart of abundance open to God’s graces. The Lenten journey is always one of transformation and transformation always leads to gratitude.

So as Lent begins and I tune my heart to the abundance of God’s love and mercy which resides at my very core… I ask myself and all those walking into Lent...

What will my prayer be this Lent? 
Can a prayer of abundant gratitude be a part of all my Lent days?

What will I fast from? 
Can I let go of my judgments and my wants and focus on the abundant heart of Christ?

What will my almsgiving be? 
Can I see what is mine in abundance and give generously so another can know the abundance of gratitude?

These are the questions I ask myself with Ash Wednesday being marked this week.
This is the journey that Lent is calling me to.
Where are you being called this Lent?

Peace and much good for the journey.