Lent day 3: When not if
Lent Day 3: When not if
Matthew 6:2-4
"Whenever," says Jesus. "When," he says again. Not "if."
There wasn't ever a question when I said I have to drive to Newark when the man showed up at the parsonage. I knew better than to ask when he disappeared for a few hours, taking another man shopping and driving him -- somewhere -- I don't know.
From the first few moments we were together it was clear we would just say, "yes" when someone needed help -- we didn't need to even talk about it. Jesus says don't even let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. It should just come that naturally -- no talking about it, no thinking about it -- just share, just meet the needs.
But Jesus calls us even further. Into a generosity where the logical-impulse side of our brain can't even fathom how or why we are sharing so deeply and wildly. A generosity that uses the rational side of our brains to dig into the needs of the world and respond with the ridiculous, creative-brain love and care.
This lenten season calls us into a deeper connection with our creator in every way including wildly creative generosity. Who said Lent can't be fun?
Matthew 6:2-4
‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
"Whenever," says Jesus. "When," he says again. Not "if."
There wasn't ever a question when I said I have to drive to Newark when the man showed up at the parsonage. I knew better than to ask when he disappeared for a few hours, taking another man shopping and driving him -- somewhere -- I don't know.
From the first few moments we were together it was clear we would just say, "yes" when someone needed help -- we didn't need to even talk about it. Jesus says don't even let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. It should just come that naturally -- no talking about it, no thinking about it -- just share, just meet the needs.
But Jesus calls us even further. Into a generosity where the logical-impulse side of our brain can't even fathom how or why we are sharing so deeply and wildly. A generosity that uses the rational side of our brains to dig into the needs of the world and respond with the ridiculous, creative-brain love and care.
This lenten season calls us into a deeper connection with our creator in every way including wildly creative generosity. Who said Lent can't be fun?
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