by Erik Ritland Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Thursday of the Second Week of Lent Jeremiah contrasts a life lived for God and a life lived for this world. In the Gospel, Jesus illustrates this point in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. As usual, He doesn’t mince words. Readings: Jer 17:5-10/Lk 16:19-31 Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. (cf. Jer 17: 5-10) From its very first chapters, the Old Testament is clear that God made the physical world “good.” There is no place for a “world bad, spirit good” dualism in Judaism or Christianity. There is, however, adamant commands to not be caught up in worldliness, to only live for this world. If your ultimate trust is in human beings and not God, you’re doing it wrong. If you “seek strength in the flesh,” as opposed to God, you’re doing it wrong. A number of Psalms make clear that, even when it seems like those who do evil thrive, they are ultimately doomed. In fact, beyond their veneer, their life on earth is usually “a barren bush in the desert...a salt and empty earth.” The Prophets sure had a way with words. The balance in this reading is the balance of Lent. When we sin, when we do wrong, we turn our hearts from God and are as barren as those who intentionally do evil. But if we trust and hope in God, we can get back on the right path. Lent is a good time to remember all of this. Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.” He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'" (cf Lk. 16: 19-31) The last line in the Gospel is enough to give any Christian who takes their faith seriously goosebumps. Jesus couldn’t be making His point any clearer here. “Neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” This was certainly a message to those in Jesus’ time who didn’t believe in the resurrection, but it speaks to the skepticism of all ages. Many say, “if only God would make his existence clear, would perform some miracle for me to see, then I would believe in him.” Jesus isn’t so sure, and neither am I. Erik Ritland is a writer and musician. The founder of Fully Alive Christian Media, he also created The Minnesota Sport Ramble and is a writer and copy editor for Music in Minnesota. He was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. Reach him via email.
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by John Morton "Being a Christian is about accepting the suffering of the world, facing that suffering, and persevering through it." Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent The Old Testament reading tells a familiar story: the rejection of a prophet, the rejection of truth. In today’s Gospel, we hear the foreshadowing of the ultimate rejection of truth, and we see a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God really entails. Readings: Jer 18:18-20/Mt 20:17-28 Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said, “Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.” (cf. Jer 18: 18-20) "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (cf. MT 20:25-28) Rejection of the prophets by their contemporaries is a familiar story in the Old Testament. The prophets seek not only to do God’s will, but to care for, to protect, to educate, to serve, the people of Israel. And yet time and time again they are rejected, thrown out of their communities, sometimes even killed. The same injustice happens to Christ, the same persecution of truth is repeated. This trend continues today. Christ is doing the same for us, praying for us, pleading for us, and serving us, and yet so many continue to misrepresent his words, persecute his followers, and ridicule his teachings. The sons of Zebedee, John and James, two disciples of Christ, ask to be at his right and left in his kingdom, but as Christ says that they do not know what they ask. For that is not a position of glory, not in this world. That is a position which must accept this persecution ten-fold, and must face defeat, and still serve and love those who seek to defeat them. Being a Christian is about accepting the suffering of the world, facing that suffering, and persevering through it. John Morton is a writer, historian, and theologian from Minnesota. He founded Fully Alive with Erik Ritland in 2017. In addition to writing articles, he is also the podcast co-host and social media content strategist. St. Joseph: Ideal Father and Husband, Sanctifier of Work (Lenten Scriptural Commentary #14)3/19/2019 by Erik Ritland "God chose St. Joseph for the most important job in history: to raise His son and to care for Mary. Thus, he is the ideal father, the ideal husband. His position as a carpenter, an ordinary trade, sanctified work." Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary St. Joseph’s life as earthly father to Jesus and spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary isn’t given much detail in scripture, but his significance as those two things make him one of the most important men in history. He is the ideal father and spouse. We are still blessed today by his prayers. Readings: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website The LORD spoke to Nathan and said: "Go, tell my servant David, 'When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. (cf 2 SM 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16) In the words of popular Catholic apologist Scott Hahn, we have a God who keeps His promises. Things looked grim at many points during the history of Israel. Wars, exile, and occupation by foreign invaders were just some of the trials that they dealt with. There was often reason for despair. God promised them, though, that He would save them in an ultimate way. In this reading, he tells of the Kingdom that He will set up on earth through the line of David. He followed through on this problem in Jesus, son of Joseph, son of David. Although not physically descended from him, Jesus’ formation as human being was as the son of Joseph. Jesus’ upbringing, His very human person, was formed by him. Is there a more important man in the history of the world? It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. (cf Rom 4: 13, 16-18, 22) The question of adherence to the Old Testament law was hotly debated in the early Church. Since the entire earliest Church was Jewish, and its message was first preached to Jews, it was logical that those who became Christians would want to keep Jewish practices. The problem came when they insisted that Gentile converts should do so as well. St. Paul is adamantly against this in many of his writings. Many incorrectly conflate this with the question of “faith and works.” It is not about faith and works; it is about whether Christians need to follow the Old Testament law to be saved. Context makes this clear over and over again in the New Testament. Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly (cf Mt 1: 16, 18-21, 24a) "Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man” – Catholic Saints and teachers have gotten much mileage out of this line, and rightly so. God chose him for the most important job in history: to raise His son and to care for Mary. Thus, he is the ideal father, the ideal husband. His position as a carpenter, an ordinary trade, sanctified work. We have much to thank St. Joseph for. Erik Ritland is a writer and musician. The founder of Fully Alive Christian Media, he also created The Minnesota Sport Ramble and is a writer and copy editor for Music in Minnesota. He was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. Reach him via email. by Erik Ritland "It is right for us to remember the law and the prophets, meditate on them, and connect with them deep in our heart, just as the people in Daniel’s time did. If we don’t, we suffer the same fate: being left to our own devices and reaping what we sew." Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Monday of the Second Week of Lent The prophet Daniel speaks of the universal human struggle against doing wrong and its antidote: God’s limitless mercy. Jesus explains God’s radical forgivenes. Readings: Dn 9:4b-10/Lk 6:36-38 Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website. We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. (cf Dn 9: 4b-10) The entirety of this reading touches on the basics of Lent. The universal problem of the human condition that we face during this season – our propensity as humans to do wrong and God’s limitless forgiveness if we ask for it and turn away from the bad things that we do – is laid out for us again, this time in the context of the period of the prophet Daniel. Just as the Israelites had specific festivals to remember these things, so the Church in its wisdom sets aside this time to especially consider them. There is continuity with God. This portion points out something that our modern sensibilities sometimes scoff at: respect for the past, for our ancestors. God gave us not just Jesus and the New Testament, but the entirety of the Old Testament to guide us morally. Of course, we need to look at these readings with nuance and historical perspective, and always be aware of genre. It is right for us to remember the law and the prophets, meditate on them, and connect with them deep in our heart, just as the people in Daniel’s time did. If we don’t, we suffer the same fate: being left to our own devices and reaping what we sew. Luckily, as the ending of this reading notes, God is always there to forgive us and bring us back into the fold when that happens. More than an ancient story, this is the story of our lives. "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you” (cf Lk 6: 36-38) Jesus is clearly out of the Old Testament tradition. Strip away His Jewishness and Jesus becomes incomprehensible. His teachings are rooted in the Old Testament, more so than many well-intentioned Christians today realize. Hallmarks of Jesus’ ministry like forgiveness of sins, God’s mercy, and forgiving people are all steeped in the Jewish tradition already. Jesus, by the Christian understanding, simply takes it to its completion. Erik Ritland is a writer and musician. The founder of Fully Alive Christian Media, he also created The Minnesota Sport Ramble and is a writer and copy editor for Music in Minnesota. He was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. Reach him via email. by Erik Ritland Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Second Sunday of Lent God’s impossible promises to “the least of these,” our call as Christians, and an important, awe-inspiring miracle. Readings: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18/Phil 3:17—4:1 or 3:20—4:1/Lk 9:28b-36 (27) Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website The Lord God took Abram outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so," he added, "shall your descendants be." Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. (Gn 15: 5-7) Before God called him, Abram was a simple nomad living a normal life. Rather than visit kings, high-ranking politicians, or those with worldly stature and power, he called an everyman. Not only that, but an everyman who was unable to have children. Having any descendants must have seemed hopeless to him, much less to be the father of God’s people. This is the essence of how God works with people. He doesn’t simply call the righteous or the person with the most ability or stature. He calls each of us in the position that we’re in, with whatever abilities we have (or don’t have). When we listen to Him, miracles happen. They may not be flashy or supernatural, but they happen almost every day in the life of the person who follows and trusts God as Abram did. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their "shame." Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (cf Phil 3:17-4:1) Brilliant biblical scholar N.T. Wright often points out that Christians sometimes seem to completely miss the point of the gospels. We focus so much on the world to come that we ignore what he sees as their main point: that Jesus inaugurated His kingdom in the world today, and that we are meant to live that Kingdom in today’s world. It is easy to take a passage like this and become “so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good.” But Paul is condoning nothing of the sort, and the context proves it. He is saying that we need to live well in this world, as opposed to those who don’t, because we have a home in heaven that awaits us. Our place in a heavenly future does not give us a pass in this life; it is meant to drive us to live out God’s Kingdom program as well as we can right now. We aren’t meant to remove ourselves from the world, we’re meant to transform it. Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Lk 9: 28B-29) The Transfiguration is a key moment in the gospels. It can seem obscure to us, but the point is simple enough, and it can be found in one key line: “Two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” The Transfiguration strengthened Jesus, Peter, James, and John before the upcoming hardship of the crucifixion. When it happened, they certainly thought back to this moment for consolation many times. It may have even been too much to bear for the disciples without it. Erik Ritland is a writer and musician. The founder of Fully Alive Christian Media, he also created The Minnesota Sport Ramble and is a writer and copy editor for Music in Minnesota. He was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. Reach him via email. by Erik Ritland "Some anti-Christian people say that religion is a bunch of empty, pious beliefs meant to comfort people in a harsh world. Some Christian people live as though their Christian faith is merely a comfort in the harsh world. The truth is, Jesus has high standards for us that are difficult, that no sane person would take up if they simply wanted comfort." Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Saturday of the First Week of Lent The Israelites are grateful to receive God’s law. Jesus shows us how to live it out in the truest sense. Readings: Dt 26:16-19/Mt 5:43-48 Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website Moses spoke to the people, saying: "This day the LORD, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees. Be careful, then, to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. Today you are making this agreement with the LORD: he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice. And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised." (Dt. 26: 16-19) God always works through people. Why? Because people are important, the pinnacle of creation. God called everything He created “good,” which is the starkest demarcation between Judeo-Christian belief and that of Buddhism, which says that the world is bad and that it's our job to remove ourselves form it. Similarly, there is no place in Judaism or Christianity for a gnostic or New Age belief that the physical world is bad and that there’s only merit in the spiritual realm. All of creation is good, but human beings are peculiarly special, because they are made in the image and likeness of God. If humanity doesn’t have this endowment from God, natural rights go out the window. The logical conclusion of such a philosophy is devolution into animalistic power struggles. See: the bloody 20th century, today. So instead of coming down from on high for the whole world to see, He uses people to spread His message. If God made Himself explicitly clear to everyone by a miraculous sign, that would take away their free will, as they would be forced to believe. God loves us too much to do that. The same argument is made for the existence of hell. Just as God loves us too much to take away our free will now, so people have the freedom to choose their fate eternally. If there is anyone in hell – and there is a pious Catholic hope that hell is empty – it is because God loved that person too much to force them to be in His presence, and they have rejected Him. Instead of revealing Himself explicitly and taking away our free will, God uses the pinnacle of His creation, which He called “very good,” to promote His message. He did this with Moses and the Israelites, and He does it today with those who spread the Gospel. "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father. Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." (cf Mt 5: 43-48) Being a Christian isn’t easy. Or at least, it shouldn’t be. Some anti-Christian people say that religion is a bunch of empty, pious beliefs meant to comfort people in a harsh world. Some Christian people live as though their Christian faith is merely a comfort in the harsh world. The truth is, Jesus has high standards for us that are difficult, that no sane person would take up if they simply wanted comfort. He says “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” and “take up your cross and follow me.” Hardly nice words to make people happy. There is ultimate comfort in Christianity, comfort that perhaps those anti-Christians resent that they don’t have. But on the whole, Christianity is a difficult, life-altering, lifelong ascent. None of those things is easy, which is what led the brilliant G.K. Chesterton to note that “Christianity has not been tried and left wanting. It has been found difficult, and left untried.” Hardly an opiate, hardly for weak-minded people. Erik Ritland is a writer and musician. The founder of Fully Alive Christian Media, he also created The Minnesota Sport Ramble and is a writer and copy editor for Music in Minnesota. He was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. Reach him via email. by Erik Ritland "You can take a few verses out of context to make it look differently, but God is complex, which only makes sense: He’s God. This complexity includes a strict demand for justice, as the prophets showed so cogently, in addition to a boundless love that desires intimacy with us." Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Friday of the First Week of Lent In a typically powerful passage from Ezekiel, God promises life to those who are realistic about their shortcomings and rely on God to help them. Jesus reveals the high standards for His kingdom in the Gospel. Readings: Ez 18:21-28/Mt 5:20-26 Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website Thus says the Lord GOD: If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced. Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked? says the Lord GOD. Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way that he may live? (cf Ez 18: 21-28) What comforting words! There is a false impression that God in the Old Testament is stodgy and over-demanding. There is a strictness to parts of the Old Testament, but there’s a strictness to Jesus as well (see: today’s Gospel). You can take a few verses out of context to make it look differently, but God is complex, which only makes sense: He’s God. This complexity includes a strict demand for justice, as the prophets showed so cogently, in addition to a boundless love that desires intimacy with us. There is a lot more of these sorts of comforting words in the Old Testament than lists of rules and what appear to our current sensitivities as throwback barbarism (judging those in the past by our current standards is the height of being sophomoric). Those who think otherwise invariable haven’t read much of the Old Testament to verify. And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil, the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does, can he do this and still live? None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered, because he has broken faith and committed sin; because of this, he shall die. You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!" Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (cf Ez 18: 21-28) Remember that demand for justice that I mentioned? Here it is. For the ancient philosopher Socrates, who lived around the end of the Old Testament era, justice was the most important virtue. He thought that it was better to lose everything and be just than it was to have everything if gained unjustly. He was truly in tune with God. “Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” This is God’s indictment of us as much as it is of the original audience. Every generation must ask itself this question. Another important point of this reading is that we choose our destiny. There are mitigating factors that influence us or interfere with our freedom of choice – and I, for one, believe that God is smart enough to keep those things in mind – but our ultimate destiny is our choice. God gave us freedom as a gift. Sometimes I wonder whether those who don’t believe in free will are cowards who don’t want to deal with the decisions they make. "You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” (cf Mt 5: 20-26) The Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5-7 – is especially relevant during Lent. It clearly lays out what the Kingdom that Jesus is ushering in looks like. It is a Kingdom of both radical standards (“be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”) and radical forgiveness (“you will be forgiven in the measure that you forgive,” “love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you”). It literally cuts to the heart, focusing on who we are on the inside and what sort of people that makes us. Murder is obviously wrong, but Jesus points to a deeper truth here: that the anger in our heart slowly kills us and our relationship with God. We can’t get away with any sort of “well, at least I’m not doing that really bad thing” garbage. Lent is a time to concentrate on coming to grips with the things that we do wrong, the things inside of us that hold us back. This is not a dismal, anti-human thing; it is what makes us fully human. Only when we strip away what holds us back can we be truly alive, truly the people we are meant to be. Erik Ritland is a writer and musician. The founder of Fully Alive Christian Media, he also created The Minnesota Sport Ramble and is a writer and copy editor for Music in Minnesota. He was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. Reach him via email. by Erik Ritland “How beautiful it is to seek! There is so much to discover in the physical sciences, art, literature, music, philosophy, and more. The more we fill up our lives with these things, the happier we are.” Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Thursday of the First Week of Lent In the first reading, Queen Ester turns back to God and realizes the importance of relying on Him. Jesus reveals what we can expect from God when we do in the Gospel. Readings: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25/Mt 7:7-12 Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the LORD. She lay prostrate upon the ground, together with her handmaids, from morning until evening, and said: "God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, blessed are you. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand. As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you. Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O LORD, my God. "And now, come to help me, an orphan. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness." (cf Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25) What a profound prayer. If we’re honest with ourselves, we can all relate to this on a deep level. Read it over again and consider how it relates to you personally. During Lent, we remember with a sharper focus that we are not the people that we wish we were, that we want to be, that we are called to be. This helps us remember how much we rely on God to help us become that. We are called to perpetual conversion – that is, to re-align ourselves with God every single day. When we do this, we get closer to becoming the best version of ourselves. We become better people, treat people better, and are at peace. It's a peace that is beyond any that the world can give. Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets." (cf Mt 7: 7-12) How beautiful it is to seek! There is so much to discover in the physical sciences, art, literature, music, philosophy, and more. The more we fill up our lives with these things, the happier we are. There is a longing inside of us for closure, for peace, for ultimate answers. It is as real as our physical desires like hunger. Like hunger, it is meant to be satisfied. In His typically enigmatic way, Jesus tells us that we will find what we’re looking for if we search sincerely. God opens doors for us, but we have to do the work of asking, seeking, knocking at His door. Even longtime Christians – perhaps especially longtime Christians? – need to take this message to heart. What do we ask God for? What are we seeking for from God? Are we knocking at His door, and what doors does He open for us? Erik Ritland is a writer and musician. The founder of Fully Alive Christian Media, he also created The Minnesota Sport Ramble and is a writer and copy editor for Music in Minnesota. He was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. Reach him via email. "Jesus, God in the flesh, revealed God's totality. If Jesus is God and is reaching out to you, and you make Him the center of your life, you become fully alive. It makes living without Him hardly seem like living."
Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. For more information, click here. Wednesday of the First Week in Lent Inexplicably, the evil Ninevites immediately listen to the voice of Jonah the prophet and repent of their sins, their wrongdoings. The same can’t be said for those who initially heard Jesus’ message. Can it be said for us? Readings: Jon 3:1-10/Lk 11:29-32 Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day's walk announcing, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed," when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out. (cf. Jon 3: 1-10) Nineveh was an excessively wicked city. That they believed the word of God and repented was a great lesson to the Israelites: if even they listen to the word of God, aren’t we expected to all the more? Indeed. To whom much is given, much is expected. One way that we show our love for God is by being realistic about our shortcomings and by making concrete steps to change for the better. We are held back by our sin, can even be destroyed by it. But if we repent, rely on God, and work with Him, we can be helped and become the people we're meant to be. "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here." (cf. Lk 11: 29-32) The Old Covenant was indeed marvelous. God only gave his explicit, intimate commands and guidance to the Israelites. When it is said that Jesus is greater than Solomon and Jonah, it is implied that Solomon and Jonah were great. God revealed Himself in space and time to the Israelites, guiding them in ways that they could understand. Jesus, God in the flesh, revealed God's totality, which is what makes His appearance even greater. If Jesus is God and is reaching out to you, and you make Him the center of your life, you become fully alive. It makes living without Him hardly seem like living. It is as difficult for us today to renounce ourselves and accept Jesus as it was for his original audience. It is a daily struggle and takes perpetual conversion. We have “blessed assurance,” but we are also called to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” Erik Ritland is a writer and musician. The founder of Fully Alive Christian Media, he also created The Minnesota Sport Ramble and is a writer and copy editor for Music in Minnesota. He was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. Reach him via email. The Word of God Tells Us That Forgiveness is for Those Who Forgive (Lenten Scriptural Commentary #7)3/12/2019 by John Morton "Just as the father forgave the prodigal son, not asking for anything in return, not seeking re-payment, or even an apology, so we also must truly forgive others in the same fashion. Forgiveness is about compassion, and not about seeking justice." Fully Alive’s Lenten Scriptural Commentary helps Christians get more out of Lent by taking God’s word seriously. Mostly avoiding personal stories and anecdotes, our commentary dives deeply into the scripture readings for each day and applies them to the broader context of Lent. We use the daily Mass readings from the Catholic lectionary. If possible, read each passage slowly, taking in each word. If you find that you’ve hurried through a reading, read it over a few more times. Let the words reverberate in your heart. After you’ve let it sink in, read our Lenten Scriptural Commentary. Tuesday of the First Week of Lent The Old Testament points to Christ, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the words of the prophet Isaiah. In today’s Gospel reading, we are taught how to pray by the Word of God that Isaiah prophesied: Christ. Readings: Is 55:11/Mt 6:7,14-15 Click here to read the complete text from the USCCB website So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it. (cf. Is 55:11) God’s Word, also understood as Christ (see John 1:1-18), is the font of everything: wisdom, joy, sustenance, existence. And his Word is always efficacious. Why? Because The Word IS God. Today’s OT reading is pretty straightforward. Just as the rains and the snow make the earth fertile and full of wonder and splendor, so too does the truth from God do the same to hearts of men. This is an analogy seen numerous times in scripture. And just as the rain and snow do not return to the clouds before accomplishing their effects, God’s Word shall accomplish its effects. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. (cf. Mt 6:7,14-15) There is a lot packed into today’s Gospel reading, and so I’ll discuss it in two parts. During Lent we are asked to focus on three tasks: almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. So it is very appropriate that in today’s reading we are given the blueprint for all prayer. I want to draw special attention, as the Gospel does, to that part of our prayer where we ask forgiveness. What we notice is that this forgiveness is contingent, contingent on us forgiving others. Lent is a time when we hear again and again about the mercy of God, and are presented with his infinite love. The story of the prodigal son, of his Father’s joy and forgiveness upon his return, is an allegory for God’s relationship to us. Just as the father forgave the prodigal son, not asking for anything in return, not seeking re-payment, or even an apology, so we also must truly forgive others in the same fashion. Forgiveness is about compassion, and not about seeking justice. Now I briefly want to discuss Mt 6:7 ("In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words"), as this can cause some confusion. For example, some might ask: isn’t The Rosary an example of what Christ is condemning? It is not. Pagans believed it was the words, the utterances, how those words were said, that had power. The prayers had to be said correctly in order to be effective. The pagan sought to control some outcome through their prayers. Often, the more complicated or lengthy the prayer, the more powerful they thought it was. But to Christians, we do not seek to change God’s mind in our prayers, or to control the outcome. We seek his mercy, and to we seek to understand his will. Simple prayers like “come, Holy Spirit” or “help me Jesus” are just as effective as saying the whole Rosary. It is not the pronunciation or the language used that makes them effective, but our faith in God, our trust in him. Remember, Christ gave us a prayer to say in today’s reading, and this prayer is repeated again and again in nearly all Christian liturgies, whether weekly or daily. And recall that Christ himself participated in the temple liturgy, he didn’t condemn it. Only when we look past these things, when we understand that these external rites point to an eternal truth, that we can truly appreciate them. John Morton is a writer, historian, and theologian from Minnesota. He founded Fully Alive with Erik Ritland in 2017. In addition to writing articles, he is also the podcast co-host and social media content strategist. |
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Erik Ritland received his MA in Theology in 2017. He's the founder and content manager of Fully Alive Christian Media and Rambling On, copy editor and writer for Music in Minnesota, and an acclaimed songwriter. Archives
April 2019
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