Thursday In The First Week Of Lent

As I left St. John’s last Sunday and the brunch with dear friends afterwards, I contemplated why I needed the Church in my life and why a Lenten discipline plays such an important role. When I was younger, I think I attended Church more for my kids and the social interaction. Not that they are not worthy causes, but hardly a search for spirituality. But times have brought on changes not only in my life, but in my quest for a more interactive relationship with God.

What factor brought on this change?

Perhaps I was changed as a result of the outrageous acts that intelligent and apparently cultured people continually do to each other. As one national and social outrage followed another, I began to doubt that looking only to human models as the source of values could or should guide us. I needed to be open to the possibility that some Ultimate Source of value ( God) should direct me, if only I would pay attention.

I attend Church now, not for social interaction predominantly ( although a Sunday brunch after the service is a gift from God); but for a thoughtful sermon about our relationship with God. I want the music and mood to touch me, and to leave a feeling that I have been in the presence of God.

Lent is a time to examine why we need God’s presence and pray that it occur more and more.