Itchy, Dirty, and Hungry

~~~ Jonah 3:1-10 ~~~ Psalm 130 ~~~ Luke 10:38-42 ~~~

 

After spending three days in the belly of the fish Jonah

 would now promptly obey God's directions.

 

His message resulted in sackcloth, ashes, and fasting...

basically they were uncomfortable, dirty, and hungry.

Their skin felt itchy and scratchy...they smelled of burnt rubbish...

their stomachs were growling.

 

Are any of these things really necessary?

How did these actions make a difference for their soul?

Is it really advantageous to deprive the body to achieve

a deeper spiritual experience.

When we are repentant it may be worthwhile

to be physically reminded that our sins should make us feel uncomfortable

a bit unclean...soiled, and hungry to be reunited with God.

 

The closest thing we have to sackcloth today would be burlap
unless you actually get a real potato sack from the farmer's market.
Sackcloth is rough loosely woven fabric. It has no body and does not drape.
It would not be used to enhance ones figure or appearance.
You can hide the flaws of your body under a sackcloth.
Odd because we cannot hide our sins from God.
Sackcloth is cheap it is reusable you can recycle it.
In Biblical times sackcloth was worn as a sign of mourning.
It was made of black thick goat's hair.

To sprinkle or to sit in the ashes was symbolic of grief,
humiliation, or penitence.
 

Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth
and call loudly to God;
every man shall turn from his evil way
and from the violence he has in hand.

God had a plan to save the city, but he never said to wear sackcloth
 or to douse yourself with ashes.
The King ordered the entire city to show their repentance.
He took the lead...he did not just issue the order
 and return to his royal chambers.
He led by example.
Ultimately God saved the city of Nineveh...
our God is a merciful God.

Is it in your best interest to wait until the final hour to repent?
God Blesses us even in desperate times.

Take Off Your Sunglasses

 ~~~ Isaiah 58:1-9a ~~~ Psalm 51 ~~~ Matthew 9: 14-15 ~~~

Have you ever noticed that whenever a person does not want to be recognized the first thing they put on is sunglasses. Celebrities are often seen being hurriedly whisked away into their waiting limo wearing sunglasses. The darkness of the tinted lens, while providing protection from harmful UV light, also hides your eyes. Eyes hidden behind these lens cannot be seen by others.

I believe your eyes are the windows into your soul, as some writers have previously stated. If your eyes are shielded from the sight of others what could that imply?

I would offer a connection between sunglasses and the words from the Isaiah reading today.

Those fasting with heads downcast covered in ashes wearing their penitential sackcloth are in fact wearing sunglasses. Their view of their world is dark, introverted and self centered. They are only looking down seeing nothing but the dirt and mud in their path. They do not look out. They do not see others. They do not make any attempt at eye contact. Eye contact at this point might be uncomfortable.

I personally dislike talking with someone wearing sunglasses precisely because I cannot see their eyes. Our eyes are so very expressive. You can tell if a person is joyful or sad by looking into their eyes. Some time ago I created a YouTube video titled Eye Gazing. It is simply suggesting that you spend time gazing into the eyes of Jesus. Meditating on his loving gaze can bring deep peace to your soul.

Today Isaiah is saying hey guys take off those dark glasses. Open your eyes. Look up and you will see what really matters to God. "What is the purpose having your eyes fixed on the ground?" asks, Jesus. Therefore, if what you are doing is ineffective I am not even going to acknowledge your actions.  

Jesus enters the scene saying, 'take off the sunglasses' and you will be able to see what I see. If you take off those dark glasses you will see those who are in most need of your attention. You know the ones you try to ignore by bowing down looking at the dirt and shading your eyes.

Look around and you will see those whom God cares most about...the oppressed, the hungry, the poor, naked, and the homeless to name a few. When you look up at these faces and into these eyes, my friends, find compassion in your heart. Take action on their behalf. Get up from your introverted ash covered penitential pieties and do something for those in need. Do something to help your brothers and sisters who are  suffering. There are opportunities all around if you but open your eyes and look.

When you reach out to those less fortunate you come to realize how blessed you are. You come to understand that hiding behind your sunglasses is not all that pleasing to God.

The Lord says, if you help those in need; when you call on me to come to your aid I will say, "Here I am!

You may find it surprising, but helping the less fortunate in our community does have a gold lining.

In the act of reaching out to help another your own burdens are lifted.

God will say to you, "Here I am1"

 So during this Lent I invite you to take off your sunglasses...

see where you can help another person in need.

 Join the psalmist...Let your sacrifice be a contrite and humble heart.