Joel 2:1-2,12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Cor 5:20b-6:10; Matt 6:1-6,16-21
There are moments in our lives that we look back upon as pivotal moments; where the decisions we made have moved our lives in one distinctive direction or another, where the consequences have been positive or negative. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to see those moments for what they are, pivotal moments, moments of Grace; and sometimes we’re not able to recognize they weight they carry in the direction our lives will follow.
Joel speaks of the choice that the Israelites have before them to make. If they continue on the course they are on, a day of darkness and gloom is coming, a day of clouds and thick darkness. “2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near— 2a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.” If the Israelites choose repentance, with fasting and weeping and mourning, pleading with their God for mercy and filling themselves with humility, the God of mercy may just forgive them and save them from the “great and powerful army” that brings their destruction. But the Israelites must not be superficial in their repentance, their turning back towards God. They must not hide themselves in ritual, or demand that their status as God’s chosen gives them a ‘get out of jail free card’. This time they must “Rend their hearts and not their clothing.” Practicing their piety will be not enough; this time piety must be an afterthought, and they must walk by faith alone.
Unfortunately history shows that for the Israelites, Joel’s prophecy falls on deaf ears; this time it’s too little, too late.
For those that Jesus is speaking to in the Gospel of Matthew, the time is not yet over. For those that believe in the Son, for the disciples and the crowd that listens on, God’s offer still stands. And God’s offer still stands for us as well, for across space and time we too stand in the crowd as Jesus instructs his disciples.
Don’t call attention to yourself as you worship, making your worship a circus, a vein spectacle. Worship God in humility and with only gratitude to the one from whom all good things come.
Don’t advertise your generous giving, and don’t lord your prosperity over those whose giving causes them great suffering and sacrifice. Offer back to God generously and quietly from the good gifts He has given you.
Don’t stand proudly at the altar and offer your rambling prayers from a heart filled with pride, but instead kneel before the Lord quietly and whisper your prayers from a heart filled with humility. Pray humbly to God in all things, and in his Great Humility God will multiply your prayers.
Don’t choose to suffer as a sacrifice to God and then use your suffering as a source of attention and pride among men. Sacrifice and self-denial comes from a grateful heart, and your suffering will be like sweet music to God who sacrificed even himself for you.
Don’t be tricked by the lure of wealth and possessions, and don’t put “things” above the welfare of any child of God, yourself included. Treasure the gifts that have no monetary value in this world and God will make your treasure great in heaven.
And finally Jesus’ message to us is the same message as that of Joel: “Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. 14Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God? 15Blow the trumpet in the United States; sanctify a fast in New York; call a solemn assembly in Broome County; 16gather the people in Windsor. Sanctify the congregation at Zion; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. 17Between the sanctuary and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, ‘there is no God?’
The Good News this Wednesday is that it’s not too late; it’s never too late with God. Today begins a pivotal moment in all our lives. Use this Lenten season as a time to turn your life in a certain direction, to turn back toward God, to repent. Remember the promises that were made for you at your Baptism. Remember the promises you made at your confirmation. When you fall into sin, as we all do, don’t tear your clothes in futility, tear open your hearts and let God in. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
My prayer for you and for me is that this Lenten journey will be a pivotal moment in our faith, that time when everything, every thing that separates us from God is stripped away, when all idols and false piety fade away. I pray for the courage to walk bravely together with Jesus to the foot of the cross, that together we hold our ground and stare faithfully into the eyes of our dying savior, and that together we rejoice with Him as we marvel at the miracle of the empty tomb. Amen.
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