We've been trying
to mind our own business
in the run up
to Lent.
We've been learning
to leave others' business
to them
and concentrate on our business
which is sowing
the seed of the Gospel
into the hearts of men.
If our business
as Christians is
to bear witness to the Gospel
how do we do it?
Do we do what Our Lord does?
[PAUSE]
It seems we must,
but if we look
at what Our Lord
says and does with His disciples
we run into some
uncomfortable truths.
First,
Our Lord speaks about
what will happen to Him.
He speaks of the consequences
of telling human beings
the Gospel,
that repentance
from a life of Sin
by turning to Him
will bring everlasting joy
and salvation.
These consequences
are derision
and persecution
and crucifixion.
That's not a comforting thought
about preaching good news.
The second uncomfortable truth
is that after speaking about
the reality of persecution,
Our Lord casually,
effortlessly
and freely
gives a man back his sight.
Crucifixion and miracles,
is that what we have to do
to preach the Gospel properly?
No wonder many Christians
don't bother
or preach a socially acceptable "Gospel"
that doesn't result in either
crucifixion or miracles.
[PAUSE]
If we feel like this
perhaps
we're looking at things
in The wrong way.
The fact is
we are not Jesus.
We are meant to be like Him.
That is true.
But we can only truly be like Him
when we see Him.as He really is.
That takes work.
And that's our business.
Our business is that
of repentance
and repentance is hard,
painful and sometimes
seemingly impossible.
We remember, though,
that repentance is not
a negative thing,
it is not without joy
it is not without laughter
it is not without enjoying
the good things of life.
But it is serious.
Deadly serious
Repentance is always
about turning to face Christ
and daring to look Him
straight in the eye
having committed
the sins that we have
and yet seeing
ourselves reflected in those eyes
as people of light.
In those Divine human eyes
we may see our shame
where we fall short,
but we see also love,
the will of God for our perfection
- our perfection in God.
Our business
is repentance
and, by repenting
and living active lives
of repentance,
Our Lord's light
will shine in us.
That doesn't mean
we live ostentatiously
flaunting our good deeds.
Our good deeds will flow
from our choice to repent
In honesty and truth,
and our choice
to make our lives perfect
in Christ.
[PAUSE]
And when we do suffer
or are in grievous pain
because we repent
then we know that
our repentance is working
and making visible
God's reality in our lives
and in our world
darkened by sin.
And, should God decide
to work a miracle
through us,
then that is His decision
and nothing to do with us,
but rather
allow ourselves to wonder
at the wonderful works of God
in gratitude at His desire
to work with us.
[PAUSE]
Preaching the Gospel
is a life of repentance
in which we strive
to see Christ
in all we do or see.
This is because salvation
is a process
in which we participate actively
and not a one-off event.
And so we begin Lent
looking at what our own business is,
and minding it,
and seeking Christ out
from the clutter of our lives.
God bless you this Lent.
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