Lenten Reflection: On Rest

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

Matthew 11:28-30

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (NRSVUE)

Recently, I have had discussions about rest. Several have suggested I needed to do that. I confessed I had trouble finding a "pause" button. So, when the word REST and this scripture appeared on Day 22 of Pauses For Lent, I knew I needed to reflect on it. I've lost count of the many times I've heard this passage and thought, "I am weary. I'd like to experience rest, but I need to make one more call, read one more email, send one more text..." Sound familiar?

As I paused to study this, I remembered Jesus was speaking to the crowds following him. The heavy burdens were the massive number of religious rules the Pharisees and Sadducees created to enhance the Ten Commandments. The rules numbered in the thousands. Practicing Jews couldn't possibly obey all of them and felt burdened.

Jesus' words teach what one needs to do to be an unburdened Christian. He said, "Learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls." Learning involves hearing, practicing, and applying His ways, which bring rest. He teaches me to care for my soul and find spiritual rest by:

·       giving up anxiety and experiencing peace

·       releasing depression and finding joy

·       naming fear and feeling love

·       replacing doubt and knowing hope.

How can His yoke be easy?   A yoke connects two animals with the experienced one providing leadership and direction as the inexperienced one learns. So, Jesus' easy yoke involves walking with Him and using His strength to lighten my load. If I do this, He promises rest that feeds my soul, relief that I am not alone in this journey, and refreshment so I can be a disciple carrying His message.

Reflection question:  What can I let go of today so I can rest and let God feed my soul?

Loving God,                                                                                                            Thank you for offering your yoke to us. Help us accept it and feel your presence in our daily lives. Guide us as we clear our calendars to make more time for you. May we feel refreshed as we do your will. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Have you enjoyed these reflections? Has God placed a word on your heart to share with others? We invite you to consider sharing a brief scriptural reflection as well. Speak to Betty, our elected Lay Leader, or one of the pastors for more information.

Lenten reflection: 'Blessed are the peacemakers'

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 (NRSV)

When I read that passage in my Lenten study, I thought I do a good job being a peacemaker. But God nudged me with a question the meditation included, "Are you a peace-lover or a peacemaker?"

St. Francis's prayer, "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace," helped me reflect on that question. Actions can bring peace. I thought, "I help others, so I am on the right path."

God, the Disrupter, threw a zinger at me as I read the Daily Practice suggestion: "Think of someone with whom you are not on good terms. Ask God, "Lord, how can I be a peacemaker in this relationship?" (Pauses for Lent, p. 29). Of course, I could name someone.

I asked myself, "How do I become a peacemaker with this person?" As I wrote, resentments surfaced. Long ago, I learned that resentments happen because I want a person to be a certain way instead of accepting them as they are.

Out of this writing and reflecting, I created a list starting with ASK GOD to help me be a peacemaker in this relationship by:

• finding patience, compassion, and acceptance of this person

• being a patient listener

• examining the causes of the resentments and letting them go

• loving this person who is a child of God

Loving God,

I thank you for your patience as I journey with you.

Open my heart to find ways to be a peacemaker in all parts of my life.

Teach me to change my critical thoughts to loving thoughts.

Remind me of your desire for peace on earth, which begins with me.

In your beloved son's name. Amen.

Lenten reflection: 'Every useless word'

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

Matthew 12:36-37 (CEB)

36 I tell you that people will have to answer on Judgment Day for every useless word they speak. 37 By your words you will be either judged innocent or condemned as guilty."

When I read this passage, I gasped. Whoa! How many times have useless words come out of my mouth? Perhaps I excused myself by saying they were just "slips of the tongue" or "that person deserved those words." I paused to reflect on the meaning of Jesus' words.

I learned that "every useless word" comes from the Greek rema argos, meaning "careless or inactive or unprofitable words." Some other Bible translations use every idle word, every empty word, or every careless word. Idle? Empty? Careless? Words aren't just utterances. My thoughts went to the power of words; they can

            Wound or heal

            Break down or build-up

            Discourage or encourage

This passage reminded me of a friend's wisdom as I prepared to have a difficult conversation with another friend. She said: "Ask God for the words. If the words don't come, keep your mouth shut." Waiting for God's guidance helps me utter words that heal, build up, and help.

I look to the Holy Spirit to tame my tongue and guide my words. This Lent, I will consciously practice using helpful words daily. The words from Psalm 141:3 will guide me:

            "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;

            Keep close watch over the door of my lips."

Amen.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God!

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

I heard these words twice in less than 24 hours … hmm? Message from God? I asked myself, “How am I living this? When was the last time I was still so I could know God?”

“Be still.” As I reflected on this, my mind went to dog obedience trials. One exercise required the dogs to do a down stay in the ring for 5 minutes while the handlers were out of sight. That memory caused me to wonder when have I done a 5-minute stay?

My life is full of noise, communication, and other stuff. Lent is a time to declutter and focus on God. By taking time to be still, I acknowledge God’s power and God’s plan for me.

The words from the hymn Come and Find the Quiet Center (TFWS p.2128) provide me guidance:

“Clear the chaos and the clutter,

Clear our eyes that we can see

All the things that really matter,

be at peace and simply be.”

The words “ clear chaos, clutter, and simply be” speak to me this week.

How can I be still and simply be? An exercise I am using comes from The God We Can Know by Rob Fuquay. Perhaps it will help you also.

Using Psalm 46, pause after each set of words. Be silent for 90 seconds, then move on to the next statement.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

 “Be still, and know that I am.”

 “Be still and know.”

 “Be still.”

 “Be.”

 What is God saying to you?

 Creator God,

We thank you for your patience as we try to simply be.

May we feel your presence as we try to calm the chaos and clear the clutter of our lives.

Fill this newfound space with your words.

Guide us in new actions that reflect your plans for us.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Lenten's Journey begins …

By Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader

Have you ever used Google Maps and deviated from the chosen route? You hear a voice say, "Course correction. Recalculating route." For me, Lent is hearing God saying, "Time for course correction." Lent is a time for reflecting on my relationship with God through self-examination. The correction involves taking an inventory of my spiritual life and saying goodbye to things, thoughts, feelings, and actions that need to be left behind. This honest talk with God allows me to experience His healing and hear His plans for me. My faith reassures me God loves me regardless of my shortcomings. I can safely look within my heart, pray to let go of those things that make me cringe, and feel God's love surround me. I want to go beyond the "What am I giving up for Lent?" to "What am I giving up so I can make more room for God?" 

My inventory involves reflecting on the following questions and responding by taking action:

What do I do that puts a wedge between God and myself?

Make an honest list.

What do I engage in that brings my soul and heart closer to God?

Practice these often or start new practices if the list is short.

Who is God calling me to be?

Be still and listen.

The words from Sunday's Palms are Wednesday's Ashes (Faith We Sing, p.2138) speak to me about being cleansed and having a new heart.

(Verse 1)

Sunday's palms are Wednesday's ashes,

As another Lent begins,

Thus, we kneel before our Maker

 in contrition for our sins.

We have marred baptismal pledges,

 in rebellion gone astray;

Now, returning, seek forgiveness;

Grant us pardon, God, this day!

(Closing words From Verse 3)

Come and cleanse us, then restore us;

make new hearts within us, Lord!

Psalm 51:10 provides a daily focus this Lent:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me."

To be more intentional in my daily focus, I am using Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days by Trevor Hudson. I wonder what plans God will reveal to me during this Journey.

~ Betty Hertz, St. John Lay Leader