I Am Ready

March 13

Readings – HOS 6:1-6; LK 18:9-14

In the first reading, these lines really struck me: “Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away…For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Have you ever been in a relationship with someone (lover, colleague, friend) whose bond with you seemed strong – until it was tested – only to reveal that it wasn’t that strong?  Or maybe it was a relationship with someone who you thought knew you but they didn’t really?

I think that’s a bit where our readings take us today.

Recently Rev. Celie preached at church and spoke about faith often (and tragically) being framed as a “transactional” encounter.  We do or say things to God in hopes to please, cajole, get and move God towards some form or outcome. This may even be what Lent is for us – another form of trying to “do” things that might urge God to love us more. I can imagine God saying, “You really don’t understand me, do you?”

Transactional (or performative) love fades fast and is not what God desires.  It doesn’t help both parties develop an intimate knowing and easily gets caught up in ego-games. It doesn’t cultivate a strength to go through things together when the chips are down.

The gospel also tells us that you really can’t tell by looking at someone who has what kind of relationship with God.  Someone might look real good on the outside, say all the right words and be in all the right places.  But it all comes down to their heart.  So I don’t know who needs to hear this, but we can all stop comparing ourselves to others right now. God is only asking us to be who we are and where we are – and that is probably more than enough for any of us to take on.

God wants our hearts and wants to teach us the ways of God’s heart. One way we learn to do this is in quiet prayer in order to make ourselves more ready (as spiritual teacher Wayne Muller says) – “ready to be taught, ready to be fed, ready to be healed, ready to be at peace.”

Maybe for today, quiet yourself and simply say to God:

I am ready to be taught.

I am ready to be fed.

I am ready to be healed.

I am ready to be at peace.

Breathe in and out these simple, tender words between friends who are working to get to know each other by heart.