March 6, 2024

Wednesday Word:  What Are We Paying Attention To?

We are halfway through Lent, the season of self-examination and repentance; of prayer, fasting, and self-denial.  During this penitential season we make a right beginning by confessing our sins in a more deeply and personal way.  We read the Litany of Penitence on Ash Wednesday, confessing our sins to God, to each other, and to the whole communion of saints.  We begin each Sunday service with the Penitential Order, and the Confession of Sin is one of the first things we do in the liturgy.  On Lent 1, I read the Exhortation which encouraged you to “open your grief to a discreet and understanding priest” so that you may receive the assurance of pardon.

Lent is heavily focused on sin and repentance.

Lent is also focused on growth.  We give up those things that separate us from God and replace them with things that draw us to God.  By doing that, we (hopefully) grow in our relationship with God.  We might take on things that lead us to grow spiritually – praying during specific times of the day, reading Scripture, committing to regular worship attendance, etc.  In the physical world, we see the sun rising earlier and setting later, a physical reminder that light grows and always overcomes the darkness.

But whether we are focusing on our sins or on our growth, Lent is a time of personal reflection.  The Exhortation reminds us to judge ourselves, examine our lives and conduct, and acknowledge our sins.  All too often we focus on the sins of others, their lives and conduct, and make judgements about their worthiness.

Yes, we need to pay attention to where we have sinned and fallen short, and the need for repentance and forgiveness.  But what would happen if, instead of always focusing on the negative, we spent more time focusing on the positive.  What if we spent more time paying attention to the fruits of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

How might we grow both personally and as the faith community of Saint Luke’s if we spent more time focusing on and living into the fruits of the Spirit, rather than the shortcomings of ourselves and others?

Jesus said, “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.”  May our hearts pay attention to the good things of God so that our treasure becomes beneficial to all.