Introduction: The Call of Lent
Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It is a time when we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter by focusing on prayer, fasting, and acts of mercy. This forty-day journey mirrors Jesus' time in the wilderness, calling us to examine our own lives and draw closer to God. As we embark on this sacred season, we are invited to reflect on the ways we love others, especially when it is inconvenient or costly.
In a world that often prioritizes efficiency and self-interest, we're challenged to consider a radical alternative: a love that disrupts our schedules, challenges our priorities, and turns our expectations upside down. This isn't just any kind of love—it’s the transformative, costly compassion exemplified by Jesus Christ.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Recently, a public figure made waves by calling empathy a distraction and a weakness. This perspective, shared by many, suggests a hierarchy of care: family first, then countrymen, and if anything's left over, the rest of the world. Enemies, naturally, don't make the cut. But is this truly the way we're called to love?
The parable of the Good Samaritan offers a striking counterpoint to this limited view of compassion...
During Lent, we are called to examine our own hearts and ask: Who do we struggle to love? When have we walked past opportunities for mercy because they were inconvenient? The Good Samaritan’s story challenges us to expand our understanding of who our "neighbor" is and what it means to show them love...
The Heart of True Service: Martha and Mary
But the call to compassion isn’t just about external actions. The story of Martha and Mary, which follows in Luke's gospel, offers a complementary lesson about the heart of true service...
Lent calls us to slow down, to notice, and to respond. This season, we are invited to:
- Cultivate a compassion that interrupts our routines and comfortable patterns, compelling us to notice and respond to the hurting around us, even when it's inconvenient or costly.
- Approach our acts of service not as distractions from what’s truly important, but as holy moments where we have the opportunity to encounter Christ in the stranger, the wounded, and even the enemy.
The Challenge for This Lent
As you journey through Lent, consider identifying one such moment—a situation where your initial response might be, "I really don’t have time for this." Reflect on it. What is God asking of you in that moment? What are you saying no to, and what are you saying yes to instead? If possible, choose the costly, merciful response.
Remember, love will never be convenient. But it will always, always be worth it. In embracing this inconvenient love, we not only follow Christ’s example but also participate in God’s transformative work in the world and in our own hearts.
May we all have the courage to "go and do likewise," embracing a compassion that knows no bounds and a presence that recognizes the sacred in every encounter.