Lent

March 17, 2021

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:1-12

You desire truth in the inward being;
   therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
   wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
   let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
   and blot out all my iniquities. —Psalm 51:6-9

State basketball playoffs just finished in Oklahoma. One of our mixed-race girls’ teams apparently chose throughout the season to kneel in solidarity during the National Anthem’s playing as their response to racism. The play-caller for the game, not realizing his mike was live, made some crude and racists comments about their kneeling, which resounded through the gymnasium. The man blamed his off-colored inappropriate commits on his Type 1 diabetes. If sentiment were not already planted in our hearts, it could not be released from our lips or behavior. The girls went on to win the state championship in their class that evening.

God desires truth in our inward being, in our hearts. Lent is a good time for spring heart cleaning. Only we know what we harbor in our hearts. Hoarding ugly ways of thinking that are contrary to God’s practices may hurt others, but it definitely hurts us. It separates us from God. None of us are immune from racism or other isms. We cannot take for granted that our behaviors are appropriate. We must be intentional in searching our innermost being and be intentional about clearing out the debris that separates us from being the person God created us to be and loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God,
   and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
   and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
   and sustain in me a willing spirit. –Psalm 51:10-12 Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.