Lent – Day Three – A Conversation

OUR LENTEN JOURNEY – DAY THREE – A Conversation

Thus says the Lord:

Shout for all you are worth,

  raise your voice like a trumpet.

Proclaim their faults to my people,

  their sins to the House of Jacob.

They seek me day after day,

  they long to know my ways,

like a nation that wants to act with integrity

  and not ignore the law of its God.

They ask me for laws that are just,

  they long for God to draw near:

‘Why should we fast if you never see it,

  why do penance if you never notice?’

Look, you do business on your fast-days,

  you oppress all your workmen;

look, you quarrel and squabble when you fast

  and strike the poor man with your fist.

Fasting like yours today

  will never make your voice heard on high.

Is that the sort of fast that pleases me,

  a truly penitential day for men?

Hanging your head like a reed,

  lying down on sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call fasting,

  a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me

 – it is the Lord who speaks –

to break unjust fetters and

  undo the thongs of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

  and break every yoke,

to share your bread with the hungry,

  and shelter the homeless poor,

to clothe the man you see to be naked

  and not turn from your own kin?

Then will your light shine like the dawn

  and your wound be quickly healed over.

Your integrity will go before you

  and the glory of the Lord behind you.

Cry, and the Lord will answer;

  call, and he will say, ‘I am here

There is not much to say about our walk today.  The sun was hot, the camels cranky and the sand reflected into our eyes the sun which is doing its best to kill us with its generosity.  Our water barrel grows ever emptier and I can see that the day when opening the tap will result in nothing more than a drop or two.  I am reminded of the old saying, “An empty waterskin is easier to carry but so what?”   The Master does not seem to be worried and He promises us that we will be at an oasis by Sunday.  Some only can see the things in front of them and not the Master’s vision for their future.  I put my trust in what He says.

Today I was honored because after we made camp and had eaten our meager supper, he pulled me aside and privately we spoke.  His love for me and His concern for my well being is obvious both in what he says and the body language he presents.  I spoke to Him about my life, my family, my cares and he ate up every word encouraging me to say more.  I lowered my head and with great humility and deep shame I told him about the times I failed.  Times when I gave up when the going got too rough.  Times when the Law of God and His Church meant nothing to me and I turned and went my own way. I looked up into his face and saw not horror, disdain, or disgust at the faults I had just confessed. I saw love.  He thanked me for being so honest with Him and that He loved me more than ever because I had the courage and faith to put myself into His hands.  I bowed my head again in humility and He placed His hands upon me, they were cooling and soothing to my forehead.  He said to me, “My son, I love you very much, your trust in telling all of your sins helps to prove your love for Me.  For my part, I forgive you of all your sins and impart to you by doing so an increase in the resistance that you can give temptation in your life.  Go now in Peace and go to bed for tomorrow your labor begins anew."