Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Today, the liturgy forces us to tell the truth about ourselves. Three things are very clear. We are sinners; we are mortal; and we are forgiven.
In a few minutes, we will confess all the ways in which we
are not perfect, the ways we sin. We are sinners.
We have two memorial services this week, during which we say
goodbye for now to members of our Gloria Dei community. Gladys and Dale are now
dust and ashes. Someday, we, too, will be dust and ashes. We are mortal.
And we are forgiven. As believers in Jesus, we seek a
relationship with God, not out of fear of the consequences of sin, but rather
knowing we are beloved children of a merciful God. We are forgiven. In other
words, we are human.
… We are sinful. Sin is a broken relationship with God. Our texts for today tell us so. Psalm 51 is thought to have been written by King David after he got caught impregnating Bathsheba and making sure her husband Uriah died in the front lines of the latest battle. He realizes he is guilty, sinful, and expresses his repentance. “I’m sorry, deeply sorry. Please wash me and make me clean.”
Paul is worried about what Friedrich Bonhoeffer called cheap
grace. Jesus died to demonstrate that our sins have been forgiven. This is
called mercy, grace, and it came at a costly price – the life of Jesus of
Nazareth, who is also the Son of the Most High God.
Joel does not speak so much about sin as the need for the
whole people – all of y’all – to lament and pray for relief. There has been a
plague of locusts devastating the land, the economy, and the well-being of the
people. Joel calls on all to weep and mourn and fast to call on God to come to
help them.
Jesus pulls all these ideas together. Yes, there is a time and
a need for repentance, but don’t make a show about it. Yes, fasting helps us
focus on God instead of on what we will eat; but no one else needs to know
about it. Yes, giving alms to charity is a good thing, but no one else should
know how much or to whom you give. It is sinful to confess, fast, pray, give as
a show. It’s called hypocrisy.
In all these ways: sexual assault, murder, hypocrisy,
wanting more power and stuff than is fair, we are sinners.
… We are mortal. Our liturgy tells us this, too. Each year on this day, pastors and others around the world tell their people, and themselves, that we are mortal, that we will all die. It’s always a wrench for me to tell you all that you will die someday. It may be tonight, it might be in 10 or 30 years. But you will all die, and if I am your pastor when you do, I will be leading worship at your memorial service.
When you think of your own life, do you consider your death?
Most likely, those of us over 65 know our lives are more than half over. We
have fewer days ahead of us than behind us. When I talk with folks of any age
about death, the wish is to die peacefully in their sleep, or maybe a fatal
stroke or heart attack. The idea of a lingering, painful illness is not at the
top of the list as a way to die. But, we all know we don’t really get to choose
how or when we die.
… We are forgiven. Our liturgy reminds us of this each time we share holy communion and eat and drink the elements of grace. Paul writes that we are reconciled with God, we are righteous in God’s eyes. God offers us mercy and grace. All we have to do is accept it.
Jesus came to tell us how much God loves us and wants to have
a relationship with us. As easily as most human parents forgive their children,
so easily God forgives us. If our sins were written on a chalkboard, Jesus
takes an eraser and wipes then all away. We are forgiven.
… The truth is, as Ash Wednesday reminds us every year, we are sinners and we are mortal and we are forgiven. And it’s a perfect time to pay attention to our relationship with God. Do we pray often enough that we know God’s purposes for our lives? Do we give enough to make us feel good about our giving? Do we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness?
And do we trust God enough to know God is merciful and slow
to anger, abounding in steadfast love?
Do we trust that God may just respond to our pleas for help?
Let’s use this season of Lent to raise our awareness of
God’s mercy and grace, so we feel safe enough to confess and ask for
forgiveness.
On this day, we remember that we are sinners, we are mortal,
and we are forgiven.
As a reminder of that forgiveness, you could stop at the
font on your way out of church today, and wash away your ashes. There are
towels available if you wish.
