March 29th, Sunday, Fifth Week of Lent

Jeremiah 31: 31-34, Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 14-15 (12a), Hebrews 5: 7-9, John 12: 20-33

Each of today’s readings seems to lay the groundwork for the one to follow. In Jeremiah the Lord promises a new covenant with his people. Unlike the more paternalistic covenant of old, the new way places the law of God within our hearts so that we have knowledge of the ways of the Lord, are forgiven our trespasses, and can move forward in our lives without the burden of former sin weighing us down. For me it is a message of hope, knowing that it is within my power to lead a good life. It reminds me of the transition from my childhood acceptance of God to a more adult faith driven relationship with God in my life.

Psalm 51 sings of this awakening from my childlike behaviors to the realization of my adult responsibilities. Goodness knows I may have gone down the wrong path but I now realize the folly of my ways and ask for God’s forgiveness and help. Wash me, cleanse me and instill in me a willing and steady heart. No matter where I’ve been or what I have done, I can repent. I can grow and learn from every experience and try to help others I encounter along the way. I can do God’s will.

In the Hebrews reading and in John’s gospel, we learn that even Jesus, in his human state, was fearful and quite reluctant to proceed to his death. God knows it is hard for us to follow His ways sometimes, yet Jesus sets forth for us the perfect form of obedience. It is in His acquiescence to His Father’s will, that he suffer and die, so that “He was made perfect, and He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.” This is why He became man. The grain of wheat must first die in order to deliver on its potential to bear great fruit.

Likewise, I may not know the reason why I am here at this place right now but I know that God knows. Hard as it may seem at times, especially when I am in one of those bumpy periods in my life, I know that it is when I let go and let God, when I fervently pray, “Thy will be done”, that the way suddenly becomes apparent. As the song says, “Lead me; guide me along the way, for if You lead me I cannot stray.” My Lord will never take me down a path that leads me astray. And reluctant as I may be to release an old habit, walk away from a cherished but detrimental pastime or move forward into some unknown territory, it sometimes takes the death of these seeds to make way for the wonderful blossoming of opportunity that the future offers and my Lord has intended for me.

Stephanie Kenny, wife of Larry, mother to Alice and Katie, volunteer