Environment

In Lent we encounter so many of our best loved Scripture stories about Jesus’ public ministry. Scholars agree that Jesus was not in the public eye for long, not more than two to three years before being sentenced to death. The Scriptures from these Sundays prompt us to consider the attitudes and actions that we should carry into our ministry in a public setting.


Resist Temptation:
On the First Sunday of Lent (Matthew 4:1-11), we hear about Jesus’ 40 days of trial in the desert, during which time Satan offers him earthly power in exchange for paying homage to the devil. Despite his fatigue and hunger, Jesus steadfastly resists these temptations until the devil in frustration leaves him alone. We may not be confronted with such blatant temptations on a daily basis, but all around us are invitations to sin: to hold grudges, to waste our small living stipend on alcohol, or to slack off from our responsibilities in our communities. We must be vigilant against these everyday temptations.

Be Not Afraid:
On the Second Sunday of Lent (Matthew 17:1-9), the Transfiguration, God’s voice thunders from the clouds, and the disciples are struck down in fear. Jesus tells them to rise and not be afraid. There is certainly much in the world that causes us to be afraid. We might already be wondering about what we will be doing to earn a living after the current volunteer year is over in just a few short months. Or perhaps we worry about spending the upcoming Easter holiday with a family who may not understand us. To all of those fears that we carry with us, Jesus tells us to confront them courageously.

Defy Taboos:
On the Third Sunday of Lent (John 4:5-42), Jesus dares to speak in a public setting with a Samaritan woman. We know from other Scripture stories that Samaritans and Jews did not intermingle in Jesus’ day, and it was even more amazing for a man to be talking publicly to a woman who was not his wife. Jesus defies the customs of his day to realize the greater goal of building up the Kingdom of God. We might ask ourselves if we ever find ourselves in situations which might be considered taboo. Perhaps our ministry puts us in position to daily walk by people who are not always welcomed in society. Jesus’ example encourages us not to shy away from engaging them in meaningful dialogue.

Confront Blindness:
On the Fourth Sunday of Lent (John 9:1- 41), on the Sabbath Jesus heals the man born blind. The prevailing attitude at the time was that a handicap like blindness was the result of a sinful act. The Pharisees in the story act in such a prejudiced, ridiculous manner in pursuing their inquiry into Jesus’ miracle that by the end of the story the listener comes to realize that the true moral of the story is that, in Jesus’ estimation, it is the Pharisees who are truly blind. We continue to live in a society where prejudice is rampant. Jesus’ message today challenges us to speak out against ignorance whenever we hear it.

Comfort the Grieving:
On the Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 11:1-45), Jesus travels to Judea to comfort Martha and Mary after the death of their brother Lazarus. He does more than this, or course, even raising Lazarus from the dead in a dramatic display of his power. While these powers are beyond us, we all have the ability to comfort those grieving the death of a loved one. Perhaps those we serve are not grieving a death but many people carry sorrow. We can model Jesus by being simply present with those in sorrow.

The Lenten Scriptures bring us from the desert to the mountain; from the well to the pool and on to the tomb. May our reflection upon these stories help us place ourselves there, living out our public ministry with the same dignity that characterized Jesus Christ.


Read more in our latest edition of Shared Visions... http://www.pallotticenter.org/newsletters/sharedvision/Vol21No3.pdf