God understands that some part of us has the struggle that Paul names in Romans – that we do the things that we don't mean to do. And Lent gives us a chance to look at that, to turn ourselves, again and again, back to God, and ask the question, “What is it that I am called to do now? And what do I need to ask forgiveness for? And who do I need to forgive?” (Time: 3:59.)
Video Transcript
This is Bishop Hughes in the Diocese of Newark. It is Ash Wednesday, the official start of the season of Lent, those 40 days that we spend in preparation for the great celebration that is Easter, and that symbolically remind us of the 40 days that Jesus spent in temptation before the start of his ministry. This particular time is a time for us to think inwardly and to think deeply about what God is calling us to in our own ministry and in our lives, and these 40 days are a time for us to explore those things.
The collect for Lent that starts our worship today says this, “Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all of those who are penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts.” There's something about the opening to that prayer, the reminder that God hates nothing that God has made, and that God recognizes we are going to fall into trouble, we are going to fall into sin, we are going to fall away from being faithful people. And that all we need to do is to turn back to God and that God will renew our hearts, in essence creating a new heart whenever it is needed.
Years ago, I remember working with a group of five- and six-year-olds. And there was a six-year-old in the pack, Daniel, who was a rambunctious, fun and big-hearted little boy. But, oh my gosh, he was so full of energy! And I used to say, wherever there was trouble in the room, look first for Daniel, because chances he was involved in that trouble. All the paints spill over, look for Daniel. Kids are in a fight and if they're pinching and hitting each other, look for Daniel. Somebody has swiped the cookies for snack, look for Daniel. And I remember one time, as he was coming out of yet another visit to the time-out corner, I said to Daniel, “Do you think you could try for the rest of the day to really mind your manners and to be careful of other people and of other things?” And he looked at me with absolute seriousness and said, “I don't know what happens. I try so hard to be good but there's just so many things to get into, I can't help myself. Even when I don't want to do it, I can't help myself.”
It reminds me of the Apostle Paul talking in the book of Romans, in the letter to the Roman church: that even when we want to do good, we wind up doing things that we don't mean to do. That God has made a provision for us. God understands some part of us has the same struggle as little Daniel. Some part of us has the struggle that Paul names in Romans – that we do the things that we don't mean to do. And Lent gives us a chance to look at that, to turn ourselves, again and again, back to God, and ask the question, “What is it that I am called to do now? And what do I need to ask forgiveness for? And who do I need to forgive?”
We can't help but be human and it is helpful always to remember that in our humanness, that God has made nothing on this planet that God doesn't love, and God will always be able to meet us and help us.
You have my prayers for a holy and deeply fulfilling Lent.
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