April 1, 2019
Dear Allen Temple Family and Friends,
Our Lenten Series continues this week with the theme of Penance with Reverend Paulette Anthony.
Blessings to you!
Reverend Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Assistant Pastor
Fix Me, Lord - For the Journey, Lord
“Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after: a day to show off humility? To 
put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like? “This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.” [Isaiah 58:5-7]
put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like? “This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.” [Isaiah 58:5-7] During the Lenten season, Christians participate in ‘Penance’ combined with prayer and fasting as a time of self-examination and reflection of our journey, and commitment to God.
Part of my growing up was on a farm in the country. The property included a wooded area with a running brook of clear water, rippling gently over the rocks. Sometimes after a hard rain or heavy winter, this flowing brook would be clogged with tree branches, leaves, and lumps of dirt, making its water flow sluggish; until someone cleaned away the debris. Life’s spiritual journey is likening that of a rippling brook. We become bogged down with obstacles or unnecessary messwhich prevents the smooth flow of our spiritual change, peace, and healing. However, when the fountains of our hearts are cleansed from the debris of negative emotions, jealousy, resentment, egotism, discontent, selfishness, anger, and worry, we are open to acceptance of the free flowing Source of all life – Jesus the Christ! (John 4:14).
Reflecting on our focus, it calls for re-examination of our worship. God asks how authentic is our service? Is our fasting and worship a humble response to God’s grace, or is it a self-centered effort to draw attention to self? God is not impressed by our piety or practicing rituals, but of a sincere heart. If we worship because it is the popular thing to do, not because it is the right thing to do, then our fasting and worship becomes hypocritical, (Matthew 6:1). We are called to demonstrate genuine compassion / service to the poor, the disenfranchised, and the oppressed which interests Him more. God says come out of your safety zone into uncomfortable places, revealing paths you may not have chosen to demonstrate acts of kindness, charity, justice, and generosity to the disenfranchised, oppressed. Be a positive presence of God to God’s people, their situations / conditions surrounding them. Extend a listening ear, a stretched out hand, a compassionate heart, not feeling obligated but because everyone is a child of God and our neighbor. God is calling us to a holy fast – one which we come before Him in true repentance.
‘Create in me a clean heart, that I may serve You, Lord Fix my heart that I may be used by you. Renew a right spirit within me that I may be found worthy in your sight.” Teach me to hear more deeply to the cries of your people and respond to their need. Lord help me grow in your grace. Deepen my faith in you, as I look toward Good Friday and Easter, appreciating fully the meaning of the cross and the victory of your Resurrection in my life! “Fix me for my journey, Lord.”
For further contemplation:
- Deuteronomy 22:1-4
- 1 Samuel 16:7
- Isaiah 58:10-11
- Joel 2:12-13
- Matthew 6:16-18
- Philippians 3:10; 4:4-9
Reverend Paulette Anthony is an Associate Minister at Allen Temple Baptist Church
and is a member of the Women’s Chorus
