Stirred to Concern

Ash Wednesday

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land and took pity on his people.  Joel 2:18

We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. Matthew 6:4B, 6B, 18B

Piety

I close my eyes only for a moment, and the moment's gone
All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity

Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind

Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind

Now, don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy

Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind.
Dust in the wind, everything is dust in the wind.

(Lyrics to “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas)

Study

How “Year of Mercy” is this reading? 

We cross the threshold of Lent being held in the heart of the Lord.  The Hebrew word for “concern” in Joel 2:18 describes the passionate empathetic bond the Lord has with Israel. The people’s wholehearted participation in Joel’s call for fasting and prayer sparks the Lord’s longing to protect and love his people Israel. This desire moves him to withhold punishment and to send the blessing instead.

When two countries want to have close ties with each other, among the many steps that they take is to exchange ambassadors.  A person from each land moves to the other country to live and represent the homeland among the foreign people.  As a first step, the “ambassador-in-residence” brings his or her portfolio and presents those qualifications to the head of the other government when they arrive in the foreign country.  The host country then accepts the appointed person who will rule over his home country’s embassy and interests.    

The home country sends the ambassador to represent their interests in business or economic issues, on political issues, on cultural issues.  In Paul’s letter to the people in Corinth, he says that we are ambassadors for Christ.  Christ sends us to present his interests. Christ commissions us to speak out for issues close to his heart.  Christ commissions us to speak out for people close to his heart.  Christ commissions us to speak out for places close to his heart. 

Action

The com-passion that stirred the Lord in the first reading from the Hebrew Bible must stir our hearts as well.  If today you hear His voice, open up your hearts.

As ambassadors, we are asked to quietly go about our almsgiving, fasting and prayer life.  We are not asked to wear loud, colorful shirts and wake people up early in the morning (although there is nothing wrong if we do that on special occasions.) We are not asked to wear ashes on our forehead every day of the year (although there is nothing wrong if we do that on special occasions).  We are not asked to give up everything we have and give it all to the poor (although there is nothing wrong if we offer sacrificial gifts).

What would you wear to show that you are representing the home country of the Lord if you were appointed ambassador to Virginia?  What did Christ wear for us?  Let’s remember that he was adorned with a crown of thorns on his head, a heavy wooden cross on his back, and our sins in his heart.  There was no silver or gold bling around Christ’s neck as he walked to present his credentials at the top of this hill. 

What will Christ write in your letter to the head of the land where you will represent him?  When you are there, what issues will stir you to concern for this season of Lent and beyond?