Hiding in the Darkness

~~~ Isaiah 58: 9b-14 ~~~ Psalm 86 ~~~ Luke 5:27-32 ~~~

If you give up everything that feeds the ego the Lord will be with you.

Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday;
Then the LORD will guide you always...

It seems to be our narrow thoughts of self keep that us

 at a distance from the Lord.

We get so preoccupied with our personal wants and needs.

The more we turn inward the less we are able to follow Jesus.

The tax collector left everything behind, answering 

the invitation to follow Jesus.

What would you be willing to give up?

The sinful trap we fall into is hiding in the darkness,

ready to ambush us when we least expect.

Even when we are praying the darkness of sin can attack us.

We can even be in the darkness of sin while we proclaim a fast for the Lord.

We can fool ourselves into thinking that fasting is 

what we must do to please God.

But he says fasting alone will not bring you out of the darkness of sin.

You must reach out to those less fortunate and help them.

The Lord promises to guide us, to quench our thirst,

 to strengthen our bones..

We will be blessed to be known as having 

a sincere social morality.

The teachings of Jesus are meant to be put 

into action, not just to be meditated upon or read about.

Fasting is not the answer without inner change for the better.

A greater compassion for others must accompany our practice of fasting.

Fasting is not fasting for the sake of depriving ourselves;

there must be a greater resulting change.

Bless us Lord to become more devoted to your ways.

Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, 

O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Peace during this time of Lent.