Lent
March 11, 2022
Scripture Reading:
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. –Philippians 3:17-4:1
Paul writes about the enemies of the cross of Christ and describes their god as being their bellies and their glory their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. I am not sure what he means by the cross is their enemy. Is it that our self-righteousness exceeds the humility of one willing to die for another? I am deeply moved by the people of Ukraine who understand in theory and in truth the importance of a democracy they are willing to die for. Compared to the idiocy of what is going on in our government both at the state and national level, I understand what Paul means by their glory is in their shame. The USA thinks it is the end-all and be-all of democracies but it is becoming more and more an oligarchy, ruled by the rich. Many of our elected officials do not listen to their constituents while they play them for fools as our leaders chase after the next best artificial controversy they can stir up while not dealing with issues that hurt the people they represent. Our voting for someone because he or she rants well about one’s right to not wear a mask to protect themselves or others from a killer virus, shields them from explaining why they have not raised the minimum wage since July 24, 2009. That is just one simple example. The constituents who matter to them are wealthy. Raising the minimum wage could cut into their wealth. Indeed, it would since we fail to index the minimum wage to the cost of living. Waiting 13 years to increase the minimum wage may have maintained wealth for some but has markedly increased real poverty.
People once wore braided bracelets highlighted with the letters WWJD that stands for what would Jesus do. I fear we do not care anymore what Jesus would do.
Prayer:
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise*. Amen
*The first verse of Dear Lord and Father of Mankind written by John Greenleaf Whittier see at https://hymnary.org/text/dear_lord_and_father_of_mankind#Author
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.