Romans 4:13-18 (NRSV)

Tuesday in the 2nd weeks of Lent - Reflections on the Letters during Lent

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations")-- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be."

"Promise" is what I hear when I read this passage from Paul's Letter to the Romans. To me, promise implies a commitment to action. You will or you will not do something that you told someone else. In bible-speak and theology, there is a lot of talk about covenant which I think is different from a promise. To me, a covenant is a more formal agreement or arrangement that is a relationship with obligations and mutual responsibilities. Where a promise is just an obligation (one-sided), the covenant is a formal, detailed arrangement (two-sided).

In this portion of his letter to the church in Rome, Paul is reminding the people of the original "promises" made to Abraham by God long before there was Torah (or law.). Paul explains that the promise pre-existed and is a promise based on faith in God and God's favor for us, not because of the law or those keeping the law. It seems that Paul is using this line of thinking to assert that Abraham's descendants who have kept the faith in God are the recipients of God's blessings, not those that merely "keep the law." This includes those children of Abraham who now have a new found faith in Jesus as the Christ.

The call to action for me would be to understand that rules are intended to shape and order society. Though mostly intended for good, sometimes rules or laws are not just and display the prejudices of those who make them. I understand that those who were "under the law" thought that they were doing what is righteous before God, but I also think that God is more worried about the relationship than anything else. It all began from a relationship with Abraham. God said, "And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you." (Genesis 17:7)

Hebrews 4:11-16 (NRSV)

Friday after the First Sunday in Lent

Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. 

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The first thing that jumps out at me as I read through this portion of the letter to the Hebrews is, “the Word of God is living and active.” How many times have you thought that the word of God was the Bible and the Bible was a closed volume? You know, Genesis to Revelation, the canon complete, done! However, to me, what makes it Holy, what makes it scripture, is its ability to speak across generations and across cultures as a living and active work. It isn’t a completed volume, but it’s one that is just began as it writes your book and your chapter of the faith. We are continuations of the word.

The “Word” of God isn’t just what you read on the page. I would also like us to think of the “Word” how the Evangelist John thinks of The Word. The Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. It being the Incarnation of God in the person of Jesus. Then the piece of the passage takes on deeper meaning by saying it is living and active. Jesus continues to be living and active in this world. He is made relevant to this broken world by those who know and love him. Jesus is our defender and healer, but he is also our judge, and in his judgment of us, our true nature is revealed. We can never hide our true self from God.

The writer reminds the Hebrews that Jesus is the connection. He is the Word that is living and active. He is the “High Priest” that is interceding on our behalf. Jesus is fully God and fully human, therefore knows what struggles we encounter in this world. He makes God accessible and approachable. Therefore, we are called to hold fast to our connection with Christ in the midst of our struggles. In our time of need, we are able to find God’s understanding, favor and forgiveness because of Christ.

Titus 3:1-15 (NRSV)

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Titus 3:1-15

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.

When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Make every effort to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that they lack nothing. And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive.

All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with all of you.

In the conclusion of his letter, Paul reminds Titus that Jesus saves us, “not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth (baptism) and renewal by the Holy Spirit (confirmation).” Like yesterday’s reflection, Paul assures that salvation is open to everyone. And he’s reminding Titus that it is God’s grace justifies us through these sacraments. All we have to do is accept it.

It is easy for us to be sucked in to being “do gooders.” Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with doing good, but doing good works just for the sake of doing good works is a slippery slope. It can lead to feelings of self-salvation. I feel that Christians (those who have come to believe) should do good works as a response to our gift of salvation. We need to remember that good works alone will never save you. We are saved by grace.

As I think about the litany that Paul offers us today (Paul loves litanies): avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, I think we can understand what he thinks Titus may be up against. By the list, I am thinking that he may be battling a culture of self-serving people. You know that type. People that ask the same question of everything, “what’s in it for me!” These are the folks out to “follow the law” and be good and do all the right cultural things, thinking that it will somehow save them. However, they remain spiritually lost because the second piece (the reason) of the puzzle is missing. Jesus gives the believer a reason and a purpose.

On our journey through the season of Lent, it is a time for us to be reminded that our gift of salvation is a precious one. It was paid for by the work of Jesus on the cross. We have been made worthy only through Jesus dying for us. Worthy to be reconciled to God, our creator, who loves us more than we can understand. We need to also remember that we can’t get through this life alone. We can only do it by God’s grace and help.