Thursday, February 27, 2014

Bishop Dunlop's Lenten Message 2014
Bishop Dunlop's Lenten Message 2014

 

 

Season of Lent 2014

 

And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:16-18, NRSV

 

One of my least favorite questions that I am always asked during Lent is, "What are you giving up?" Sometimes it's chocolate or going on a diet, but for me it seems that if you are going to give up those things, then Lent becomes all about those things. I was recently with Pastor John Largen from Littlestown, and he reminded me that Lent starts with putting ashes on our head, and as we move through the season we wave palms, we wash feet, we reverence the cross so deeply, and we experience baptism. It's a season of physical movements, and physical movement is important because movement connects our bodies deeply to our souls. And so Lent is really a season in which we get to use disciplines to change our souls, and our body becomes a tutor for our souls.

 

On Ash Wednesday you'll hear more of Matthew chapter six, from Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. He'll talk about prayer and almsgiving, and fasting. These are disciplines where we use ourselves and our bodies to focus on our relationship with God. They are not designed to make us better people, but they are tools to open our souls to be in the presence of God.

 

Notice that Jesus says not, "If", but, "when" you pray, give alms and fast. His expectation is that we will do these things, and in the right spirit. So that we pray - not so that other people see us or hear us - but so that we are truly present with God. And when we give away our possessions, we think little about who sees us and getting credit from people, but rather we give so that God, who appreciates our willingness to give, sees us and changes our souls.

 

And fasting is not about dieting. Fasting is about awakening our spiritual hunger for God, and knowing how it is that we are in relationship with God. When we have that hunger in our souls, it changes our relationship with God. These are all physical actions. They're disciplines by which the Holy Spirit works through us to bring us closer to God, and this is the joy of this season of preparation.

 

So don't think of Lent as a season of sacrifice and giving up; think of it as a season in which you put your whole body, and thus your soul, into a deeper relationship with God. This is my prayer for all of you this Lenten season - that you will have a deeper relationship with God.

 

God bless.

 

+ Bishop James S. Dunlop

  



Carings and Sharings is the e-newsletter of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Its purpose is the sharing of news and events which raise up the mission and ministry of the synod and ELCA in our congregations, our synod, and the broader church. It is not intended to be an endorsement of every activity. Comments about this newsletter may be sent to Pam Drenner, editor, [email protected].