Tuesday, March 12

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21: 34-36)

God is a god of new beginnings. The opportunity for renewal is at the heart of the Christian faith. Each person, no matter what the past has held, is faced with the opportunity for a new beginning in life this very day. Jesus is telling us that we must be vigilant then, in every season, entreating that we might be accounted as worthy. We must be ready at all times to stand before the Son of Man.

Events are always transforming us and it is good to take personal responsibility to keep us alert for transformation. Being part of Christ’s body on earth, as members of our Christian community, is a responsibility we re-affirm during Lent. Acting in that responsibility, we are useful to God. May we continue to learn and accept our role, even as we acknowledge that we’re not in charge of it.

Kaye White