Pastor Ray’s Corner
The other day (mid-February) it was 66 degrees out – an absolutely gorgeous day outside! A few days later, we have wintery gusts again (no snow, or at least not yet.) This back and forth with the weather gets so confusing – tempting one moment, cautioning the next.
In a way, this weather reminds me of where we are in the church calendar right now. We entered the Season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 22. Lent is a time of serious reflection and prayer, a time for humbling ourselves before God, admitting our faults, and committing extra hard to correcting things. Lent is also a time for “giving up” things. (I will volunteer to give up liver – just give me the onions!)
I would suggest that Lent is a time for “giving up” our pride and false self-images, a time for admitting to God who we really are (God already knows anyhow). And just as we should “give up” the temptation to go outside with just a light jacket on at this time of year, so too we should “give up” the temptation to jump past Lent and go straight to Easter. It’s simply NOT spring yet, and Jesus isn’t risen yet.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ deliberately turned his traveling ministry toward Jerusalem when he knew his time was near. He may have been tempted to run away and hide, maybe catch a boat to some other part of the Roman Empire. But he didn’t. He headed INTO trouble, knowing full well what would eventually happen to him. He walked toward “the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers” (Matthew 23:37). He resisted temptation and accepted the suffering because he knew that the outcome – the offer of salvation and grace for every human being – would be infinitely worth it.
For us, it is very tempting to bypass the story of Jesus’ passion. Just as we leap at the hope of an early spring, we also want to “leap” straight to Easter Sunday, with all the flowers and wonderful music and happy-ending stories. But if Jesus didn’t fast-forward through it all, then neither should we. We should prayerfully “walk” with Jesus THROUGH all this, so that we can appreciate his determination, his commitment, and his love that would sacrifice life itself for our sake.
Now go ahead and buy the Easter decorations and candies, have fun with Easter egg hunts, and plan splendid Easter Sunday meals. But please resist the temptation to skip over everything that comes BEFORE the Day of Resurrection. WALK with Jesus this Lent, so that you will better appreciate RISING with him on April 9.
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Ray
Current COVID-19 Guidelines for In-Church Services
Due to changes in mask policy from both the CDC and PA DOH, we are no longer requiring masks, but we still encourage those who are not vaccinated to continue to wear a mask for their own safety, at the same time respecting each individual's decision. Anyone is still welcome to wear a mask, if they feel safer doing so.
The other day (mid-February) it was 66 degrees out – an absolutely gorgeous day outside! A few days later, we have wintery gusts again (no snow, or at least not yet.) This back and forth with the weather gets so confusing – tempting one moment, cautioning the next.
In a way, this weather reminds me of where we are in the church calendar right now. We entered the Season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 22. Lent is a time of serious reflection and prayer, a time for humbling ourselves before God, admitting our faults, and committing extra hard to correcting things. Lent is also a time for “giving up” things. (I will volunteer to give up liver – just give me the onions!)
I would suggest that Lent is a time for “giving up” our pride and false self-images, a time for admitting to God who we really are (God already knows anyhow). And just as we should “give up” the temptation to go outside with just a light jacket on at this time of year, so too we should “give up” the temptation to jump past Lent and go straight to Easter. It’s simply NOT spring yet, and Jesus isn’t risen yet.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ deliberately turned his traveling ministry toward Jerusalem when he knew his time was near. He may have been tempted to run away and hide, maybe catch a boat to some other part of the Roman Empire. But he didn’t. He headed INTO trouble, knowing full well what would eventually happen to him. He walked toward “the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers” (Matthew 23:37). He resisted temptation and accepted the suffering because he knew that the outcome – the offer of salvation and grace for every human being – would be infinitely worth it.
For us, it is very tempting to bypass the story of Jesus’ passion. Just as we leap at the hope of an early spring, we also want to “leap” straight to Easter Sunday, with all the flowers and wonderful music and happy-ending stories. But if Jesus didn’t fast-forward through it all, then neither should we. We should prayerfully “walk” with Jesus THROUGH all this, so that we can appreciate his determination, his commitment, and his love that would sacrifice life itself for our sake.
Now go ahead and buy the Easter decorations and candies, have fun with Easter egg hunts, and plan splendid Easter Sunday meals. But please resist the temptation to skip over everything that comes BEFORE the Day of Resurrection. WALK with Jesus this Lent, so that you will better appreciate RISING with him on April 9.
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Ray
Current COVID-19 Guidelines for In-Church Services
Due to changes in mask policy from both the CDC and PA DOH, we are no longer requiring masks, but we still encourage those who are not vaccinated to continue to wear a mask for their own safety, at the same time respecting each individual's decision. Anyone is still welcome to wear a mask, if they feel safer doing so.
St. Paul's United Church of Christ
2300 East Main Street
Sacramento, PA 17968
570-682-9828
stpaulsucc.sacramento@gmail.com
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