Scattered Grain, One Loaf

(a homily)

We are scattered people. The sins of our past, the heavy weight of our present, the uncertainty of our future lead us to be detached, isolated from our very being. The prophet's of God have spoken to us so often, we're heard their call to repentance, to mark a change of direction in our lives, and yet we still manage to rebel, even when we know God has something better for us. We choose disorder over discipline, being ill at ease over serenity, conflict over peace.

Why are we like this, why are we a scattered people? Not only are we fractured in our individual selves, we are socially divided. We fail to be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful. Why? Why wouldn't we want friendship, community, a peaceful world, even the Kingdom of God? I'm not entirely sure. However, when I do go inside, when I do search my inner being, attempting by the gace of God to get beyond my isolated person, I see that one of the reasons I'm unable to show mercy, unable to bring myself back together, is that I'm not at peace with myself. Sometimes, frankly, I don't like myself.

But this is not the way it should be among us. We are a people called out to show mercy, and we can do this because we have been shown the most perfect mercy. We are a people called to take the lead in repentance, to listen to the prophets, even to be prophets, for in the power of the Holy Spirit we follow Jesus Christ, who though being God and without sin, took on the flesh of his beloved creation to lead us in the way of righteousness. We are to be a just people, a forgiving people, a thankful people, a people not scattered in our very selves nor among each other.

In this season of Lent we look to see ourselves as we are. This may be painful, but we must look. We are also to look to see ourselves as God sees us, beautiful, forgiven, loved and loving people made in God's image. And that is why this stark season is actually a season of joy. We a sometimes scattered, rebellious people have, like grains of wheat into a loaf of bread, been brought back together, united in peace and love, so that we, like sweet wine, might bring calm and happiness to a world so desperately needing to be embraced with the compassion, mercy and love we have been given by God to offer. And this we do through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

(Daniel 9:4b-10; Psalm 79; Luke 6:36-38)