God's Messengers when we least expect


The scripture readings this weekend remind me of the joke about a flood, a boat and a helicopter (http://epistle.us/inspiration/godwillsaveme.html) If you are not familiar, follow the link.  Essentially the drowning man refused all the “helps” or signs God was sending while at the same time looking for something more.  God was coming to the man in ways that seemed to ordinary; the man felt that if he gave in to any of these, he was not a man of faith.
In Chronicles we read:

Early and often did the LORD, the God of their ancestors send his messengers to them, for he had compassion on his people.  But they mocked the messengers of God.

This weekend we celebrate Laetare Sunday, “Rejoice” Sunday – this season of fasting, prayer and almsgiving is half over.  We are half way to the celebration of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection and the Church reminds us to rejoice.  I believe noticing the presence of God or paying attention to God’s messengers is the primary source of joy.  Even when we are in the midst of suffering or struggle, when we pick up our heads and look around and are drawn to a sound, sight or even a smell that helps us recall the Creator, we touch deep into our souls and find joy. 

This Sunday is the centerpiece of the Lenten season as we make the most difficult journey to the cross.  The rejoicing of this season is born of experiencing life in all its ups and downs.  It is a deep sense of being grounded in God’s extravagant love flows through us like an underground river; a source of joy that is vital, nourishing the body, mind and spirit from within. 

Living this deep and abiding joy has more substance than simply delighting in God’s presence.  To be a disciple in our world today requires us to honestly search out the presence of God in one another and in creation while at the same time, to honor all creation as loved by that same God.  We are challenged to set aside any prejudice, to welcome the presence of God in the other with joy and love.  In a world that is full of civil wars, rampant racism, sexual predation, poverty and political posturing, God desires only that we love.  This calls us to set aside our individual egos for the sake of the common good. 

Most of us fear losing ourselves as we give ourselves over more completely to God.  The more deeply we fall in love with God, the more aware we become that in giving of ourselves, we become filled with the vital presence of God; full of grace.  My prayer for us is that with each Lenten season, we fall more deeply in love with God and God’s creation.  

Let us pray for one another and for our world.  May we breathe deeply God’s truth so that we might more deeply live in God’s light.  May this light of love cast out the darkness of fear and division, bringing us closer to God’s kindom here and now.

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