Well, today's the day. It's time to enter into my Lenten Discipline. As always, I approach the day with much trepidation. Will I be able to fulfill the fast which I have chosen? Will I be able to narrow my focus so that God can enlarge my soul? All of these questions remain to be answered and so I take my first step into a new day.
Preparing for Ash Wednesday is my first ecclesiastical duty of the day. Co-mingled on the altar are the elements of communion; bread and cup, sign and symbol of life and a bowl of ashes; sign and symbol of death. It is almost as if these three simple elements are echoing the feelings in my conflicted Lenten soul. Life and death co-mingled. I welcome the anticipation that I am feeling, knowing that a great adventure awaits.
Travelling with The Seven Deadly Sins will also be a part of my Lenten Discipline. This week, I have been wrestling with PRIDE which has been considered to be the root of all evil. How often it has raised its ugly head as I have contemplated its grip on my soul. I find myself tossed to and fro as I consider the life-giving qualities of Pride -- a healthy esteem, a sense of "self-worth. How I glow with pride as I see my daughters maturing into young ladies. How I burst with pride as I watch my church family living out the Gospel. But pride becomes a problem when we think of ourselves as the Creator rather than the creature. When we worship our children or church rather than God.
In "Sinning Like a Christian" Will Willimon writes, "Perhaps the Fathers of the Church called Pride the chief sin, the very first sin, in an admirable honest attempt to address that particular sin of "good" people first, the sin one most likely would find hanging out at the church, the sin most likely to breed among the faithful, good people...." pg. 45
My mind returns to my morning duties: the bread, the cup, the ashes...life and death co-mingled.
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2 comments:
I always look forward to what you have to say. You write very well and say things that are an inspiration to other people. People reflect on your words and think about how it affects their own lives.
I put a link on the Linden Heights webpage (www.lindenheights.org) to your blog. You should mention it to the congregation so they know about it. You should also explain how to post comments because it isn't obvious to a lot of people. I plan on writing something new about the webpage each month in the Linden Letter. I'll be sure to mention your blog.
You picked a good topic for the blog. One of the reasons I hear from non church people why they don't attend church is that they think people that attend church are better than every one else. Since they go to church every week they will automatically go to Heaven and everyone else goes to another place. Many people take pride that they attend church every week. They think how it looks to other people instead of worshiping God for it's own sake.
Children have their parents to put them in their place when pride and ego becomes an issue. Adults have their own conscience and what was instilled on them when they were growing up.
I'll certainly be in your blog audience. I look forward to your next post.
Jim
Hi Karen, as I listened to your sermon on pride the other day I had a recurring thought how money plays a part in peoples lives. Did you ever see the movie "SEVEN". Not exactly a religious movie but someone kills by following the seven deadly sins. Not one to recommend to the church family. (haha)Keep up the good work I believe you bring the bible to
life in your sermons. Thank you.
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