Based on the story of Jesus’ extended period of temptation in the desert, the image is one of retreat from our everyday preoccupations to take stock of the direction of our lives (Janet Morley, Bread of Tomorrow, p. 61).
But our faith has never just been about personal piety and individual lives. It has always been about God’s realm and that means justice not just us. So what if we understand Lent to be:
an opportunity to explore what is the nature of the promised Kingdom of God on earth that we long for; and to try and discern, amid various tempting strategies, how we are called to work for it (Bread of Tomorrow, p. 61).
Then we will be “contemplatives” not as “a retreat from the desperately disturbing challenges of the world into some private piety” but as an entry into God’s mission seeking to “see the world as it is”; acknowledge our part in “what is continuingly evil”; and enact the hope to which we are called through Jesus (BoT, p. 61)
May it come soon
to the hungry
to the weeping
to those who thirst for your justice,
to those who are waited centuries
for a truly human life.
Grant us the patience
to smooth the way
on which your Kingdom comes to us.
Grant us hope,
that we may not weary
in proclaiming and working for it,
despite so many conflicts,
threats and shortcomings.
Grant us a clear vision
that in this hour of our history
we may see the horizon,
and know the way
on which your Kingdom comes to us.
(From Nicaragua YMCA 1989, BoT, p. 63)
No comments:
Post a Comment