First Sunday in Lent
February 21, 2010
Changed By Love (by Peter Mayer)
Sent In Peace
To share the Gift we're given
Sent In Peace
To change our way of living
In our heart in every place
Lift our voice oh God of grace
We will never be the same
We are sent in Peace
Oscar Wilde is reported to have said, "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. I can resist everything but temptation." Today is the First Sunday of Lent. The Gospel lesson appointed for this day is from Luke 4:1:11.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%204:1-11&version=MSG;KJV;BDS;HOF;RVR1995
It is the account of Jesus being tempted and, most important of all, resisting temptation. The devil prefaces each temptation with the conditional word "if." I find it comforting to know that because of Jesus we don't need to fall for such "come-on" lines. Because of him we've moved from "if" to the unconditional "since." Since we are children of God, we have a place and space in God's love.
I just love the following passage, too: "15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)
Peter reminds us that we are "sent in peace." In other words, "peace" is how and why we are sent. The purpose of our being sent (the Bible would call us "apostles") is to share the gifts we've been given.
One of the gifts I've been given is my sense of humor. Now, in all seriousness, I also know that like most gifts, it needs to be utilized with wisdom and good stewardship. Early on in my school career, my sense of humor got me ousted to the hallway (which was also the site of my grade school's Gifted and Talented program. The boiler room was where the "advanced placement" sessions took place.) I also learned along the way that sometimes my humor was used by me to keep people at a distance from me. At other times it was more like a weapon than it was a tool to enlighten, entertain and evangelize.
Today, I feel pretty balanced around the use of humor. I am grateful that we have a God who enjoys having the "last laugh."
One "temptation" I believe that we often fall prey to is to take ourselves, our lives and our faith so seriously. And so, I hope you enjoy my picture of "Lutheran Oats."
If you want to check out today's sermon, you can listen to it or read it by going to:
http://www.bethany-denver2.org/church-life/sermons/
My prayer and hope for you today is -
"2May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance." (Jude 1:2)
peace,
rtg
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