Sunday, March 08, 2009

Lenten Invitations

Here is the ending of my Sermon on the Transfiguration:

My friend, if you are here today only as an observer, consider responding to his call, his invitation to you to become one of his people. Just as he had Moses lead the Jews to freedom through the waters of the red sea Jesus will bring you into his friendship through the water of baptism.

Lent is a good time to consider this invitation. Not a day passes without him thinking about you.

My friend, have you come here today and now recall that your brother or your sister has something against you? That a moment of silence or anger has become a decade, that your pride has built a wall between you?


I urge you to go forth from here today, turn back the clock, tear down that wall and be reconciled.

Lent is a good time to undertake such an effort. Not a day passes without Jesus wanting you to be at peace with them and with him.

My friend, are you one who has been away from the table of your God? Perhaps you just wandered away. Or you ran away in anger. Maybe something else seemed more appealing at the time.

Today, in this place, we your brothers and sisters remind you of him. He asks about you every day. He waits with longing for your return.


Like Elijah, we your brothers and sisters, are calling you back to the table of your God.

The sacrament of reconciliation is celebrated here in this place throughout lent. Come, he waits with open arms to be reconciled with you.

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