Let me try to describe something a bit odd. I believe in the goodness of the world. I believe that there is an energy or a flow that we are invited into. Think of it as a river. We are all invited into the current of flow of the river. It’s God’s beatific river.
Or another way of thinking about it is to think of a large cosmic flow [turn on the fan]. There is a movement or energy all around us. I would call this GRACE. There is a flow of grace that just happens. And sometimes we are in that grace quite easily [show a piece of ribbon] Pretend that this ribbon is you. [Hold the ribbon in the air of the fan]. I believe that God’s intention is for us to be part of the flow, that energy. At times we can easily feel it. This is when all things are going smoothly in life . . . for example, it’s good hair day, you’ve actually lost a few pounds, your back isn’t hurting so much. Life is good.
We all know when life isn’t going so well [take the ribbon away from the fan]. You know, when everything seems to be falling apart . . . for example, the dog had an accident (again) on the carpet, you spill on your shirt during lunch, you’ve just said a cuss word in front of grandma, you are late and the gas tank is empty. Ugh!
I believe that life is meant to be a positive flow. That God intended for all of us to be in a good space or energy. If you think back to the very first chapter of Genesis . . . when God was creating the world, God called each “thing” good. For example, the sky, the birds, the animal . . . and even when God created humans, God said, “It is good.” That was God’s original intention for us. Later on in Genesis did we get the eating of the apple by Adam and Eve. But before that God created us and all of life and wanted us to enjoy an “original blessing.”
Our task is to bask in that original blessing of life. That is, to participate in the goodness, or flow that is around us. We all know when that happens . . . for example, you get a compliment and it can change the whole day, or you do something nice for someone and it makes you feel good. When we are in the flow, there can even be a dominos effect and the goodness allows for more goodness which allows more goodness.
Now there are some simple things that we can do that get us back into that flow. You know, get a good night’s sleep, eat healthy food, drink more water, get some exercise. When some of those are in place . . . then goodness has an easier chance of flowing around us, in us and from us. [Hold the ribbon up to the fan]
There are also somethings that we do that block the flow. [Hold up a board between the fan and the ribbon.] These are those destructive things that take us out of the flow. For example, when we tell a little lie, or we don’t let that person merge in front of us during heavy traffic, or we “just have to repeat” this juicy gossip.
Well, one way to think about Lent is that is a time to make some changes in our lives. It is deciding to take away some of the things that hinder us from this flow. Often this is a “giving something up.” But if those “giving ups” don’t bring you closer to God (and into the flow) then what good is that. It makes no sense to “give up” something and then be grouchy. There is no purpose to stop eating something and then be “mean and nasty” all through Lent. What is needed is a change of ATTITUDE.
Maybe you have already thought about giving something up starting today, but I want to nudge you to maybe think of doing some extra things . . not just one thing. Perhaps look at many ways that you can get your attitude to where it could be in God’s grace.
Maybe it’s something like . . .
giving up thinking that the world (or that one person) is out to get you, stop being so mistrustful
or giving up a need to be right
or that deep hidden secret (that we’ve carried for so long)
or in general not having the TV on so much, especially at meals,
or always needing music or news on while you drive
. . . here’s a hard one, giving up looking at your phone so much
or give up “being a slob” such as, stop never making your bed or piling dirty dishes.
You see, many of us use Lent to get rid of bad habits . . . that sugar dependency, or those junk food munchies. Those aren’t bad, but I want to stretch you to think of some things that prevent you from being in the cosmic flow of God’s grace.
Likewise, in the gospel Jesus says, not just to “give up” something (or fasting as he calls it) but also to do something that puts you back into the flow. He mentions alms giving. That means giving money (which is always a good idea, especially to the Church). But maybe it is giving some of your time . . . to visit that neighbor, to participate in one of the several small groups that we have during Lent, to not rush out of Church every week . . . but linger and talk, or even help straighten out the books in the pews.
And of course, the biggy . . . for Jesus and for all of us is to, perhaps, look at your prayer life.
If your prayer is not currently NOT putting you into the flow, well change something. If you only prayer when you need help from God, try just telling God thanks . . . or hello . . . on a regular basis. Maybe this is the year, when you commit to reading some scripture passages daily.
As a parish family, our theme for Lent is “Christ calls us to change.” I believe that God wants us to enjoy that flow, or grace, of life. What do you need to start doing . . . or to stop doing to truly be part of God’s flow? [hold ribbon in the fan]