A reminder that we are nearing the end of Lent. COVID 19 distracted me from Lent (remember that Maxwell did say a crisis is a distraction). After all, my devotion life and prayer life focused on the crisis in front of us, not Lent. Yet in today's Lutheran Hour devotion, Kari Vo, the author, reminded us that Lent is exactly where our minds should be as we navigate this crisis.
Hear her words:
"Then those who had seized Jesus led Him to Caiphus the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside, he sat with the guards to see the end." (Matthew 26)
"I've often wondered why hope is considered to be a virtue. They call faith, hope, and love the three theological virtues, and I can see the point for faith and love. But hope? I'm use to thinking of that as something that just happens to me, depending on my life circumstances. I don't usually think of myself as responsible for having hope!
....What's going on in Peter's head (in this story)? Whatever it is, it doesn't include hope at all...." (Lutheran Hour Devotion, March 31, Dr. Kari Vo)
What is going on inside Peter's head? Exactly! Peter's denial goes beyond words, it includes action! He's hanging with the guards during the crisis that would ultimately see Christ's crucifixion! What is he thinking?
Peter is in the moment, Vo reminds us, thinking of the here and now and not about what Christ had promised: His death and resurrection. Peter is in the here and now, distracted by his own thoughts and not allowing Christ to be his focus.
So, in Lent, are we distracted by the virus, or are we putting our hope in the promise of Christ? We are observing the season that ultimately celebrates his suffering, death, and resurrection. Everything else is a distraction.
We pray that we turn our eyes to Christ, His suffering, death and resurrection.
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