Recitative
Obadiah: Ye people, rend your hearts, and not your garments, for your transgressions, even as Elijah
hath sealed the heavens through the word of God. I therefore say to ye, forsake your idols, return
to God; for He is slow to anger, and merciful, and kind, and gracious, and repenteth Him of the evil.
Joel II: 12–13
Aria
Obadiah: “If with all your hearts ye truly seek me, ye shall ever surely find me.” Thus saith our
God. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might even come before His presence!
Deuteronomy IV: 29 / Job XXIII: 3
This is the time of the year when I realize conversion is hard. We are clearly told “rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:13) It is so much easier to rend a garment. Right? Give to the poor. Deny yourself watermelon. Attend daily mass. I ask, without judgment or shaming, has my heart changed?
This Sunday we completed the cycle of the three key stories of lent: the woman at the well, the man born blind, the rising of Lazarus. Known among my friends as “the really long gospel Sundays” (with the REALLY long readings yet come), I am sad to realize that it is the length of the gospel readings that most stay with them. I have tried to discuss these most important stories and reached a gap. They really don’t remember the essence of the stories.
It would be easy to point to the length and delivery of the stories in the context of mass. Is being “bored” only a convenient way to describe our defensive posture?
Each of these interactions with Jesus asks for the most difficult yet fundamental postures for conversion: vulnerability, faith, and authentic relationship. We know the outcome of the entire story - Jesus died to open the gates of heaven, rose from the dead, and reigns in glory. This is our reality in baptism. I am part of that great movement of salvation.
All I am asked to do is love God; to continue that, to love my neighbor as myself. So simple. Very straightforward. Near impossible.
I am not so sure that if I was the woman at the well if I would be so happy hearing from the lips of Jesus a retelling of everything I have done and be able to have faith enough to go tell everyone I know. Or, that I would sit there and let a stranger put mud on my eyes. Would I chose to remain blind and live in the comfort I know? Do I believe that I have a relationship strong enough with Jesus he would weep for me at my grave and raise me up to be with him, to be Lazarus?
I think I best refocus on rending my heart. Yup, conversation is hard.
This Sunday we completed the cycle of the three key stories of lent: the woman at the well, the man born blind, the rising of Lazarus. Known among my friends as “the really long gospel Sundays” (with the REALLY long readings yet come), I am sad to realize that it is the length of the gospel readings that most stay with them. I have tried to discuss these most important stories and reached a gap. They really don’t remember the essence of the stories.
It would be easy to point to the length and delivery of the stories in the context of mass. Is being “bored” only a convenient way to describe our defensive posture?
Each of these interactions with Jesus asks for the most difficult yet fundamental postures for conversion: vulnerability, faith, and authentic relationship. We know the outcome of the entire story - Jesus died to open the gates of heaven, rose from the dead, and reigns in glory. This is our reality in baptism. I am part of that great movement of salvation.
All I am asked to do is love God; to continue that, to love my neighbor as myself. So simple. Very straightforward. Near impossible.
I am not so sure that if I was the woman at the well if I would be so happy hearing from the lips of Jesus a retelling of everything I have done and be able to have faith enough to go tell everyone I know. Or, that I would sit there and let a stranger put mud on my eyes. Would I chose to remain blind and live in the comfort I know? Do I believe that I have a relationship strong enough with Jesus he would weep for me at my grave and raise me up to be with him, to be Lazarus?
I think I best refocus on rending my heart. Yup, conversation is hard.
