Lent – Page 2 – Writing to Pray

Lent 25:1

Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13

Old English borrowed the word perfect from Old French who borrowed it from Latin; per meaning through and fect meaning to do. So, the old definition of the adjective perfect means, to do through, complete. Reflecting on this gospel scene, helps me wonder if the devil’s main strategy is to make us think we are not complete. He tempts us into thinking we have needs, and those needs must be filled for us to be who we are intended to be: without these needs met we are somehow less than.

The devil tries this strategy with Jesus in the desert. He first tells Jesus to turn the stones into bread. After all, Jesus has fasted for forty days, and just has to be hungry. The devil is suggesting that Jesus is lacking; He is not whole, His belly is empty. But Jesus says, “Hungry, shmungry, I’m full of what I need to be who I am.”

The devil tries again, “I can give you all the Kingdoms on earth.” The devil is implying, if Jesus is a king, if that is who he thinks he is, he’s got it wrong because he lacks a kingdom. The devil is playing with Jesus’ identity by dismissing spiritual and divine reality and elevating reality defined by human perception. But Jesus knows who is it; He doesn’t need earthly kingdoms to be the King that He is already.

Then the devil tries to goad and provoke Jesus into proving He is who He says He is, suggesting proof of identify is a need not yet met. But Jesus says, “I know who I am; you are not going to bully me into bullying my Father and the angels to prove it. I do not need others to believe I who I am to be who I Am.”

The Fortress Commentary refers to these early chapters and verses in Luke’s narrative as the ‘unfolding’ of Jesus’ identity, and points out that the devil advances Jesus’ identity by questioning it. The devil has three times tried to convince Jesus that not only does he has unmet needs, but that until those needs are met, He is not completely Himself. He is without integrity, without wholeness, lacking and less than. But Jesus knows who He is intended to be and is completely Himself.

Journal Questions:

This is a fascinating paradox: how can our identities be complete and we are fully who we are meant to be, while our identities are still unfolding?

Who does the Lord invite and intend me to be?

In what ways have the devil’s attempts to convince you you need x, y, z actually advanced the integrity of your identity?

Third Sunday, Lent 2019

Exodus 3:1-15

To notice the bush is not burning normally, Moses needs to understand general laws of nature, and to observe how the bush in question is behaving differently. And because it must have taken Moses some time to figure it out, the Lord bides His time, patiently waiting to reveal Himself in the not-burning bush.

Robert Alter in the notes included in his translation, “The Five Books of Moses,” explains that because ancient Hebrew’s grammar is constructed differently than modern English, there are often a variety of translations which are accurate and reasonable. While we typically translate God’s name for Himself as I Am Who Am, the following would also be correct: I Will Be Who I Will Be, I Am That I Am, I Am He Who Endures, He Who Brings Things Into Being, and, I Will Be. (Reference #14)

Furthermore, in a similar discussion, the Paulist Biblical Commentary suggests the name the Lord offers as His own is an early form of the Hebrew verb, to be. The commentator writes, “The phrase ‘I Am’ or ‘I Will Be Who I am’ places the focus of God’s name on actions for Israel, and not God’s independent being or essence” (Reference #15). Before offering His name, however, which He does only after Moses demands it, the Lord says, “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers, so I know well what they are suffering. Therefore I have come down to rescue them.”

In other words, the Lord self-identifies with the actions He performs on Israel’s behalf, actions intended to save His beloved people. This rescuing continues down through the ages. Jesus’ name, Yeshua, in fact, translates as rescuer, savior.

Until Jesus’ Passion, Resurrection and Ascension, Sheol is it, as far as potential abodes for those who have died; He changes the landscape of the afterlife. The inhabitants of Sheol are not able to gaze upon the Lord’s face, they are not with Him. They did not fail to gain entry into Heaven, because they are somehow lacking or sinful or unrepentant. Not the case.

The doorway to Eternal Life did not yet exist. Jesus saves us from the otherwise unavoidable situation of separation from Him, from Sheol by providing Himself as the Gateway to a new abode. His self-identifying phrase clearly states the fact of the matter, I Am the Narrow Gate.

It is a small irony then that while Jesus gained for us ‘an afterlife’ where we can dwell with Him, where we need never be without Him, we fail to realize we are already with Him in the here and now. Are we, am I, waiting for Eternal Life to notice the Lord? Could I be failing to notice a not-burning bush at my feet?

Reflection Questions for Journaling

- - Am I waiting for Eternal Life to notice the Lord’s presence?
  - Could I be failing to notice a not-burning bush at my feet? Is the Lord patiently waiting for me to do so?
  - Referring to Paragraph 2, how do each of the varied translations of God’s name for Himself resonate with me? Do any cause me discomfort? Why?

1st Sunday Lent 2019

On the anniversary of Dad’s departure, the family texts bombarded the satellites: all day, everyone gushing about what a great guy he was. And it is wise to remember and cling to the good, happy moments. But I draw more solace, peace and joy from remembering his irritating, nudgey ways. When he was annoying and impossible … then, he was perfect.

But let me explain. Old English borrowed the word perfect from Old French who borrowed it from Latin; per meaning through and fect meaning to do. So, the old definition of the adjective perfect means, to do through, complete. Reflecting on this gospel scene, helps me wonder if the devil’s main strategy is to make us think we are not complete. He tempts us into thinking we have needs, and those needs must be filled for us to be who we are intended to be: without these needs met we are somehow less than.

Can say the same thing about myself?

Reflection Questions for Journaling

- Am I completely who the Lord invites and intends me to be?
- Who does the Lord intend me to be? What percent of the time, am I she?
- What unmet needs do I think I have which prevent me from being who I am intended to be more consistently?
- In what ways have the devil’s attempts to convince me I need x, y, z to be who I’m intended to be, actually advance the integrity of my identity?
- And finally, I ask myself again, am I wholly who the Lord invites and intends me to be?

1st Sunday, Lent 2018

Genesis 9:8-18; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

Hidden Messiah #2

Wind-whipped, burnt sand, drying, cutting,
distant pool shimmers, glimmering;
image of man or Shepherd-King?
Wind-whipped, burnt sand, drying, cutting,
Which the mirage, of which to sing?
Cling to human or Shepherd-King?
Wind-whipped, burnt sand, drying, cutting,
distant pool shimmers, glimmering.

Law of Motion

Flood Warning!
Desert- Danger!

Outside forces acting upon a people at rest
who will remain at rest,
unless otherwise acted upon.

Flood! Desert!

Too much water, too little water, respectively:
too little sun, too much sun, respectively.

Warning! Lent!

I may reconsider and discern and evaluate
The Too-Muchs,
The Too-Littles.

Danger! Lent!

An outside force acting upon a people at rest
who will remain at rest,
unless otherwise acted upon.

Desert- Danger!
Flood Warning!

Journal Questions:

What images come to mind when I think of the desert? What might be the biggest threat to survival?
In reference to my faith, what does the term, desert experience mean? What experience might I now identify as a desert experience. When have I been caught in a flood, as it were?
What are the mirages in my life or in society?
Lent is a call to discern and evaluate our lives. Reviewing my current life with a wide lens, what might I characterize as too little and what as too much?

Lenten Posts 2014

The posts on this site for Lent each contain a reflection, questions for journaling, a writing exercise, and creative arts activities. Because we are called to be creators in our Creator’s image, prayer can include forms of art in addition to writing. The “creative arts activities” are broken down into three categories, fabric, paper, and “home” arts. “Home arts” relate to activities that involve family, home, and community. I hope these categories are broad enough and flexible enough to be adapted to any preferred medium.

Because many ideas for writing and creating to pray are posted here, feel free to do any, all, some, a bit of this, and a bit of that. A few weeks you may do several exercises or activities and other weeks you may just reflect on the questions.

I pray that Lent will be spiritually fruitful and inspirational for each of you reading this, leading you to a greater love and intimacy with the Lord.

God bless, Marilyn