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The Scriptures speak to us in the setting of whatever is going on in our life when we read or hear them. Today’s readings are no exception. The high levels of anger and polarization are disturbing and dangerous. In the Psalm we pray: “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you”. As I look around at all the nastiness and suffering just about everywhere, and notice especially the recent very disturbing events on the international scene, I kinda wonder what is there to be thankful for. Yet, when I am open to it, and want it, thankfulness becomes an essential part of the way I see life and all that is happening. This does not mean I’m happy with everything that is going on in and around me, because I’m really not. It means I believe Abba is somehow involved in all that is going on in my daily living, and that’s fine by me. This seems to generate some new and often unexpected, maybe not understood, attitudes in daily life. This also means I am thankful for life in all its forms. But this too is undergoing a metamorphosis. 

These days I am thinking back to my own experience with NATO and the Cold War. While I am grateful for it all, I certainly don’t want to go back there again. Yet, here we are. There were some fine people back then, as there are now, and the country owes them a lot, although today it seems many would deny this, not having lived though it. Some very good people are being abused as a matter of policy. Perhaps the events of yesterday offer me a chance to look at myself, my works, that come from my inside, and not be focused on others. As I watch the terrible fiasco with its serious international implications, I might ask myself have I been, and am I now, self righteous and abusive with anybody? Ugh.

I am fortunate to know some wonderful folks in key positions around the world, and I am thankful that they are where they are and doing whatever it is they are doing, because with their sense and depth of courage and integrity they are the kind of people we, and the world, need in their positions. Also, I am thankful for my current health issues. They are offering me continual opportunities to refocus on a lot and from different perspectives. I am most thankful for the peace I am experiencing in my life. It all goes back to the experience of my heart attack in the car, for which I am most grateful. So, I guess there are many reasons to be grateful. Talk about realigning priorities . . .

In the Alleluia verse we pray: “Shine like lights in the world as you hold on to the word of life”. “Shine” can develop into an ego problem, thinking that my way is the right way. Rarely does the Spirit offer certainty. She presents new questions laced with doubt and uncertainty, some of which I might not want to ask. I need to hold on to the word of life and go where it takes me, without saying where I want to go. The Word of life is Christ happening in and around me, offering me the opportunity to look at myself and my motives for doing whatever it is that I am doing.  

The Gospel (Luke 6:39-45) is an invitation for me to look at myself, my way of doing things, of interacting with people, of letting the Spirit show me things about myself and my ways that I might not want to see. It’s good that this particular passage is coming close to the beginning of Lent. It offers me a good journey into myself, if I am willing to make the trip. It is a reminder to correct myself before I even think of correcting others. “For every tree is known by its own fruit.” I need to keep a watchful eye on the fruit that I am bearing, not so much on what I see others bearing. The Spirit helps me have insight to what she is saying to me about how I live every day, not about how others need to Iive so I can be comfortable and secure and feel I can judge others. As smugly satisfying as it might be, I don’t want to get involved in pointing fingers at anyone. I ask the Spirit to help me focus on myself and how she sees me, where and how I live, what I do or don’t do, and go where she takes me.

A prayer for the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is, “Repent and believe in the Gospel”. In other words, an invitation for me to change my life, my every day way of seeing and living, so I can believe in the Gospel and try to live it. The Gospel does not fit into the way we live today, as is clear from the daily news in so many places, even as Jesus’ way of living did not fit into the way people lived in his time, both with the temple system and the Roman Empire system, and he paid the price.

A worthwhile practice for Lent might be taking the Ignatian Examen more seriously, and letting the Spirit lead me to places I don’t want to go, but also recognizing the good that was happening in my living that day. The practice of looking back at my day in the spirit of gratefulness, and noticing when I was aware of the Spirit happening in me and around me. Perhaps even seeing the progress I’m making on my everyday journey. This is not an examination of conscience as I might do before celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but an examination of consciousness leading me gratefully to recognize and be aware of Abba happening in my life with my cooperation.

“They shall bear fruit even in old age.” I believe that in the messiness and nastiness of these days Abba is somehow very much involved. I don’t understand this, but I believe it. I live among some amazing folks, each of whom has their own story of suffering, pain, trust, and courage, and love in its many forms. It’s becoming clear that each of us is a channel of grace for each other, and important for each other. This is Abba happening in and through us. Abba is happening everywhere. Listening to Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, Sinead O’Connor, and never heard them this way before. Lots of letting go. Just sayin . . .