March 16, 2025

Suggested Readings:

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Psalm 27

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Luke 13:31-35

Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

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And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6 emphasis added)

The Lord promised Abram that he would be the father of a great nation. The Lord challenged Abram to try and count the stars, that number God promised would be the number of Abram’s heirs. Abram is understandably skeptical. He was of advanced age and his wife Sarai was well beyond child-bearing years.

However, God promised, Abram believed, and God commended Abram’s faith as righteousness.

When I journey through Lent, in anticipation of Resurrection Sunday, I wonder if God would reckon my degree of faith to warrant being called righteous. I have many advantages over Abram. For one thing, I have the story and legacy of Abram to encourage my faith journey. But would I have the faith of Abram to journey to an unknown land? It is unlikely that I would be willing to offer my child as a sacrifice. Yet, the faithfulness of Abram, which includes these things is what the Lord calls righteousness.

The promises God made to Abram required waiting and patience. The writer of Psalm 27 reminds us to “wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14)

The Lenten journey is important. It is not to be hurried through to arrive at Easter Sunday. Rather, it is meant to be a journey of reflection and transformation.

Reflection: what is God teaching me as I journey through the 40 days of Lent?

Repentance: the Greek word is metanoia which means to change direction. Whoa! I need to slow down. Take reflection seriously and be willing to reorient my life to God’s direction.

Reconciliation: if our faith is sufficient to be affirmed as righteousness, we will have peace with God and our sisters and brothers. Hopefully at the end of this Lenten journey we will have experienced reconciliation with God and those with whom we have experienced pain and conflict. Forgiveness is required if we are to experience peace with God.

Renewal: is the peace we experience when, like Abram, we believe God. Continue the journey. Lent lasts only 40 days. The journey into God’s righteousness is a lifelong, everlasting journey.