Jeremiah 23:16-32
Psalms 118, 145
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Mark 8:31-9:1
“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself
and take up his cross and follow Me.” Mark 8:34
Lent is sometimes thought of as a season of
penance, that is, a time of self-denial.
We often speak of “giving something up for Lent.” Whatever Lenten discipline we choose to
follow, the purpose is to help us step away from the things of the world in
order to sharpen our focus on the things of God.
Today’s readings speak poetically and forcefully of
the need to disengage our thoughts and reliance on worldly promises and
activities. Psalm 118 tells us:
It is better to trust in
the Lord
Than to put confidence in
man.
It is better to trust in
the Lord
Than to put confidence in
princes.
Jeremiah warns of false prophets who offer worldly
comfort:
“And to everyone who
walks according to the dictates of his own heart they say ‘No evil shall come
upon you’”.
Jesus says it most directly and eloquently in Mark
8: 36:
“For what will it profit
a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
As Episcopalians we are indeed fortunate to share a
faith that demands that we observe Lent each year, that we take significant
time each year to turn our thinking, and hopefully our lives, away from the
false promises of the world and reconnect with the things of God. Lent is an opportunity not to be missed, for
what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world… well, you know the rest.
Bob Lowe