Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:1; Matthew 1:6, 16–18
The prophet urges the people to fast and repent so as to gain divine attention. “The hoped-for result of the repentance is that perhaps (The Lord) will act according to the characteristics listed” (The New Jerome Bible Commentary, 1990). When we remind someone of their best qualities, we are holding up for them their best selves as a role model.
Joel promises all people God’s blessing, including those typically excluded. Paul, like Joel, makes clear that the community, not individuals need to reform. In the Mediterranean culture of Paul’s time, to warrant friendship and reconciliation, a people needed to accept their friend’s friends and reject their enemies. In addition to the references to community within the letter, the epistle itself would have been read to the assembly.
We think of repentance as an individual matter, however, in the first reading it is a community need. The word repentance in New Testament Greek is ‘metanoia,’ which means ‘change of heart.’ This speaks to what we know in modern lingo as ‘corporate culture.’ We’ve all worked in negative environments but hopefully we’ve also experienced community cultures where compassion, patience, and helping others is the norm. The Lord expects us to foster such an environment.
Jesus mentions almsgiving, prayer and fasting. Fasting during Lent is the laying down, prayer is the practice we pick up. We think of almsgiving as giving money or monetary goods, however, as Christians and Catholics we are rich because we know Christ; we must share Him, as well. While it is not always appropriate to talk about Christ explicitly, we give him away when we are compassionate, comforting, patient and forgiving. To give Christ we must also sacrifice self-gratification and allow prayer to be our priority. Through Lenten prayer and practice, the Christ within becomes more dominant and we are better able to stimulate personal and community metanoia.
Journal questions: Reflecting on personal Lenten practices:
- How can I monetarily or through the purchase of monetary goods support others?
- How can I share Christ with others?
- Can I structure a fast for myself, whether it is a few consecutive days, or one day a week? What would the details be?
- Do I need to add or subtract any specific prayer practices? How might I use these reflections and suggested questions, exercises, and activities in my prayer?
Writing exercise:
List the characteristics and qualities that you would like the Lord to reveal to you in this present moment. Choosing one, imagine that revelation, or write about the situation that has led you to this need. For example, perhaps you are struggling with a particular sin or failing, and you need God to show you mercy and forgiveness. Write either how you got to this point, or imagine God’s response to your need.
Creative arts:
Fabric arts- Using felt or scraps depict a scene which symbolizes repentance to you or a situation that you need to repent from.
Paper arts- Create a piece that represents an aspect of your faith or relationship to Christ to share with others. For example, you may make a scrapbook page using a rubber stamp of the word “hope.”
Home arts- Make something to benefit your community. For example, you may make loaves of bread, thinking of Christ as “the Bread of Life,” and give them to a soup kitchen. Plan your Lenten fast. Make decisions about how you will give alms this Lent; what causes might you donate to? What, other than money, can you share with others?
© 2014 Marilyn MacArthur, all rights reserved
Writing to Pray 