Joel 2:1-2. 12-17
Matthew 6:1-6
‘Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks –
come back to me with all your heart,
fasting, weeping, mourning.’
Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn,
turn to the Lord your God again,
for he is all tenderness and compassion,
slow to anger, rich in graciousness,
and ready to relent.
Who knows if he will not turn again, will not relent,
will not leave a blessing as he passes,
oblation and libation
for the Lord your God?
To our British ears ‘fasting, weeping, mourning’ can sound more than a little dramatic. We prize the understated and controlled response to almost everything in our daily lives. But Lent asks of us something radical and perhaps dramatic. Lent invites us to turn our hearts to God. It is a time for us to take stock and to notice the ways in which we have become lukewarm.
However we make the journey of Lent, God is waiting for us to turn to him. Into our lukewarm hearts God waits to pour tenderness, compassion and graciousness. One of the tasks of Lent is to ensure that our hearts are open. The armour that we often feel need can be laid aside.
How can you open your heart to God this Lent?