Radical Faith in God's Promises

Second Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Genesis 17.1-7, 15-16; Romans 4.13-25; Mark 8.31-38

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

During the season of Lent, we make promises to ourselves – and to God – that we are going to do certain things as Lenten devotions. That we are going to pray more. That we are going to give some additional money, maybe even some of our time, to a worthwhile cause. That we might even fast on occasion. Or we promise that we are not going to do certain things. Maybe we’re not going to eat meat. Or maybe we’re not going to drink alcohol or caffeine. Or maybe we’re not going to eat chocolate (heresy!). Or maybe we’re not going to engage in social media. Those acts we take on, those things that we are determined to give up, are promises to God. They are meant to be signs of our devotion to God. But what about God’s promises to us? Even as we are making promises to God, does God make promises to us in return? And if so, how do we respond to those promises?

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Doing Ash Wednesday and Lent as Acts of Love

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

What are we to make of the fact that this year, Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine’s Day? Two holidays that are, in many ways, complete opposites. Ash Wednesday, a sacred and holy day; and Valentine’s Day, while based on commemoration of the life of a saint (or maybe multiple saints), is in our time a decidedly secular celebration. Ash Wednesday, emphasizing sin and death; and Valentine’s Day, emphasizing love and life. Ash Wednesday, emphasizing fasting and penance; and Valentine’s Day, emphasizing feasting and merriment. To be sure, there is no connection between the two. Occurring on the same day is purely coincidence. Valentine’s Day is a fixed date – February 14^th. Ash Wednesday, on the other hand, is determined based on a formula involving phases of the moon. Easter is determined as being the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the Vernal Equinox. The beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is then determined by backing up 46 days – 40 days not counting Sundays (which incidentally are not part of Lent). So the fact that these two days occur today is merely a chance convergence of our solar calendar and the ancient Jewish lunar calendar. Something that last occurred 73 years ago, and will occur again in a mere six years.

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Liberated to Serve

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year B)

Isaiah 40.21-31; Psalm 147.1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9.16-23; Mark 1.29-39

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Our icon for this fifth Sunday after the Epiphany is a nameless woman who is the subject of a mere two verses in Mark’s Gospel. “Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told [Jesus] about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them” (Mk 1.30-31).

Whenever I hear this passage, I can’t help but feel sorry for Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Sure, she is healed of what is presumably some life-threatening illness. But no sooner is she healed than she is up on her feet, cooking meals and serving guests. For Christ’s sake, give the poor woman a break! Let her get a little more rest before having to return to the household chores. And shame on you Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and whoever else is in the house, for letting her jump out of bed and getting right back to her household duties. For maybe even expecting her to play the dutiful hostess. Men! But maybe that’s what mom’s do. Simon’s mother-in-law reminds me of those very few times during my childhood when my mother was sick. As soon as she was well – sometimes even before she was well – she was back doing the mom thing. Cooking, cleaning, taking care of the family.

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