Lenten Meditation

2 John, verse 7: (NRSV)  Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist!

For many Christians, including this one, Lent begins with these words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return".  Lent is a time to dig a little deeper into our hearts and minds.  It is a time to reflect on how we want to live, and how we want to die.  Lent reminds us of the preciousness of each moment that we have on this earth. 

During Lent, I usually use the image of "marching with Jesus toward Jerusalem".  During the march we are mindful of the pain and death that is to come.  But we also know that pain and death is not the final word.  We know that Easter can only happen after Good Friday.

As we march toward Jerusalem, let us remember some other reminders of the living Christ in the flesh. During Lent we join the Reverend Doctor King in marching toward Memphis.  We join Archbishop Oscar Romero in marching toward San Salvador.  We join Joe Hill in marching toward Salt Lake City.  We join with all of those who have willingly marched toward their own martyrdom due to a commitment to the risen Christ.....the very real flesh and blood of the people who suffer oppression and injustice. 

Christ does indeed come to us in the flesh.  To claim otherwise is, according to Saint John, to be a "deciever and ....antichrist".   Oscar Romero said it well, "We learn to see the face of Christ - the face of Christ that also is the face of a suffering human being, the face of the crucified, the face of the poor, the face of a saint, and the face of every person - and we love each one with the criteria with which we will be judged: 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat.'...Salvation begins with the human person, with human dignity, with saving every person from sin.  And in Lent this is God's call:  Be converted!" 

Jesus, Martin, Oscar, and Joe all were martyred for living a life of faith.  By faith I don't mean opinions or feelings.  I mean action.  Yet, each one of them is alive today.  Indeed, each one is more alive now than they were before death.  This is the promise of resurrection. 

The inward focus of Lent brings us face to face with the outward focus of Christ.  It gives us clarity.  Clarity gives us courage.  If we don't have courage to die for justice, then have are we saved?  Are we converted?  Do we have eternal life?  The Reverend Jesse Jackson says, "A (person) must be willing to die for justice. Death is an inescapable reality and (people) die daily, but good deeds live forever". 

Have you met the Risen One?  If so, have you decided to follow him?  Follow him to Jerusalem, Memphis, Sal Salvador, and Salt Lake City.  Follow him and never look back.  Be converted!