Get Off the Bench

In today's reading for our Lenten Study, Edward Hays tells a story about a famous NFL quarterback, Fran Tarkenton. When he was a third-string college quarterback, he seized the moment by running onto the field. The first-string quarterback figured the coach had made a substitution, which the coach had not. Tarkenton called a play that went for a touchdown, with several more big plays following so that the team won. He got off the bench, and his actions made him a career!

Hays asks the question: What is the point when we cease waiting and jump up and do what needs to be done?

In reflecting on this, I think I tend to be the kind of person who jumps in to get things done, sometimes speaking or acting where some waiting would be better! (Of course, I do tend to wait on the things I would rather NOT do!!) In our faith lives there needs to be a balance between waiting on God, and acting in faith. How do we find that balance?

Do you tend to wait until things happen to you? Or do you tend to charge in and make things happen?

What Are You Doing?

In today’s reading for our Lenten Study, Edward Hays tells a story from the Middle Ages:

A person came to one of the great cathedrals that was being built and stopped at three stone masons who were carving away. The pilgrim asked them all the same question: “What are you doing?”

The first mason said, “Chipping stone, as you can see.” The second mason said, “I am making a living. I’m providing food and shelter for my family.” And the third mason said, “I am building a great cathedral!”

He then asks the questions: How do you view your life’s work: as part of building up a great cathedral – the church, the Body of Christ – or simply as a means of making a living? An important Lenten work is learning to see whatever work you do as being part of the great and divine design to re-create the world.

What about your work – how do you see what do you in your life (work, family, recreation, etc) as a part of building up the Body of Christ?

The Path of Love and the Path of Hate

The theme for this week’s Lenten study is “Where Am I Going?” Hays invites us into a reflection on our life and spiritual journeys, and what paths we take as we move along our journey. In today’s reflection for the first Monday in Lent, he invites us to consider this biblical guide for our journey: “You shall not bear hatred for your neighbor in your heart. Though you may have cause to reprove your neighbor, do not incur sin because of him or her. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against those of your own country. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am your God.” (Lev. 19:17) This guide was relayed by Moses to the people of God wandering in the desert.

Hays notes that two pathways are highlighted here. The pathway of hate and the pathway of love, and he invites reflection on which of the two roads – or alternating one to the other – we habitually travel. Hate is a strong word, and we may shy away from thinking that we follow the pathways of hate. But if we consider hate as disconnection from God, or following roads that lead away from the holy, we might find ourselves there more often. Do we follow the path of hate:

• When we push ourselves beyond our limits?
• When we are too busy to consider the consequences of our actions? (such as what we buy and our part in the global economy or the impacts of our living choices on creation)
• When we try to fix other people and their problems rather than listening with a caring manner of encouragement and support?

What are some of the ways that we follow the paths of hate?
Take some time to reflect and share your thoughts here. Or consider taking five minutes at the end of the day, to look back over the day reflecting on where your actions moved you along the path of love, or along the path of hate. Try not feeling guilty and be gentle with yourself, but simply observe your actions and thoughts and consider why you might have taken that road at that time.