Refocus on Living in the Moment.

In 1 Corinthians 6 we hear: “Look, now is the right time! Look, now is the day of salvation!” Perhaps the Christian focus on getting to heaven has become a selfish obsession that obscures the meaning of the gospel and our purpose as a church. Faith becomes avoiding the big sins and staying pure enough so we don’t lose our heavenly prize. Jesus did not model the spirituality of playing it safe. His great love for marginalised people in society raised the hackles of the Pharisees, who were playing it ultra-safe, who were secure in their sense of self- righteousness. They were far from God because they stood far off from those who suffered. Jesus wants us to be fully alive, embodying God’s love and justice. Christians and churches who play it safe may wake up one morning to find that the world has so changed around them that they are swallowed up, like Jonah in the belly of the whale. 

As Lent begins, let us hear Paul’s exhortation with new ears. Today is the day of your salvation! And tomorrow! Don’t forget Friday and Saturday, Sunday and Monday! Walk with God. Take courage as you face the trials of life: afflictions, hardships, calamities, sleepless nights, and hungers. God’s salvation is near, with the power to see it through. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. On "Fat Tuesday," or Shrove Tuesday, we (at least symbolically!) use up all the rich foods in our houses to ready ourselves for a time of fasting and preparation. On Ash Wednesday, we are invited to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial.

The Ash Wednesday liturgy is powerful, and can be quite moving. Watching the priest/minister mark the sign of the cross with ashes can be disturbing, even shocking. "You are dust and to dust you shall return." It can be a little too close to one's own experiences and fears for comfort. Ash Wednesday is not about comfort. Some think it is too negative and they stay away today -- too maudlin, too self-absorbed, and too depressing. Who wants to walk around with a smudge of ashes on their forehead? Why all this focus on sin and negativity? Why can't we just go straight to Easter? 

Most people who've been around realise that the human experience is full of risk and full of trade-offs; that life is full of good and bad, happy and sad. They know that the good things don't come without some cost, without at least some hard work. And they understand that life and death are part of the cycle of our human existence. In Matthew 6:1-21 Jesus tells his listeners not to get caught up in trivial pursuits, but to focus on the important things, on a right relationship with God." Jesus goes on to say that, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." These are all ways of telling us to pay attention. 

Ash Wednesday and the liturgy can evoke for us reminders of the things that are important. But it is not an easy message -- it reminds us that we must be focused, that we must make choices that we really can't go through life on automatic pilot. The message will be heard repeatedly during Lent, and through the liturgies of Holy Week, as we walk again that last week with Jesus-that last week of grueling choices. In our culture, death is still something we deal poorly and we don't want to think about its reality or acknowledge it. We are told though that we miss something deep, and rich, and important when we try to ignore the fact that we will die. 

Living in the present moment is an ancient Christian practice. When I realise how often each of us struggles to truly focus our time, attention, gifts, and priorities on the things we value most. In losing our focus, we may lose the treasure we value most. We so often store up treasures of productivity, wealth, vacuous fun, and manic schedules, neglecting the true treasures of love, people, faith, and discipleship. Even in discipleship, we often say yes to every church invitation and forget to say yes to Christ’s deepest call in our lives. 

Churches and institutions face this temptation when we increase endowment funds and decrease ministry offerings or fill up rental calendars and slow down our schedule of outreach programs. As we reflect and repent this Ash Wednesday, perhaps we should turn back (repent from) those things that fill our time but not our hearts. Reflecting on what we value most and what God calls each of us to do and be can help us return and refocus on what matters most: Christ’s call; our life purpose; the love of God, neighbor, family, friends, and self that fills our souls and makes us whole.