Lenten Reflections - Steve Bettlach
“…Go Forth”
(Genesis 12:1)
The readings today call for us to stand up and be counted. We are challenged to leave our areas of comfort like Abram and Lot. We are called to live a life of uprightness and faith. The message today minces no words. The readings leave nothing to the imagination. During this Lenten season we must avoid nuance and directly prepare for the Resurrection of Christ.
This is what draws me to the church. So much of modern life is nuance and subtlety, and political correctness. The readings today just laid things out for us. 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ No parsing of words are necessary, we know what we must do. ‘So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to our Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but share in my hardships for the sake of the gospel, relying on the power of God.’ These directives do not require interpretation from a theologian. They can be understood by all, but yet they remain elusive.
The world often leads us to not listen. The world is so full of noise that it can be awfully difficult to listen. The readings are simple, but yet our lives are difficult. They are difficult of our own doing. We compound our lives with events, material goods, and so many things. We long for the days of simplicity and yet we are the ones that complicate things. The readings today are to be cherished for their directness. They inspire me to unclutter my life.
The words today connect me with our Holy Father Pope Francis. His message is delightful and simple. Love one another and serve the poor. This message is simple, but yet hard to follow. The message of service calls us to be upright and do things that we would otherwise not do. Being present and a sign for those in our circle is easy; we must go out and do it for those who are not inside our circle. We must go out and do it for the poor.
Steve Bettlach
