It’s still Lent. And Glenn Beck is an ignorant douchebag.
Remember thou art dust, and to dust you shall return.
Everybody loves to talk about Lent at the beginning of Lent. But here we are, four weeks into it.
I typically need a reminder that one of the better traditions of Lent is to express repentance in the works of mercy. And what could be a better reminder to focus on the works of mercy than Glenn Beck’s totally ignorant warning against churches who work for social justice?
The Corporal Works of Mercy
- To feed the hungry
- To give drink to the thirsty
- To clothe the naked
- To visit and ransom the captives
- To shelter the homeless
- To visit the sick
- To bury the dead
The Spiritual Works of Mercy
- To admonish sinners
- To instruct the ignorant
- To counsel the doubtful
- To bear wrongs patiently
- To forgive all injuries
- To pray for the living and the dead
In the early church, Lent was a time when the catechumen prepared for their baptism and full acceptance into the church on Easter Sunday. It was also a time when people who had been disciplined by the church prepared in repentance to be welcomed back.
Ever wonder where the concept of ‘spring cleaning’ came from? The Jews would clean their homes in preparation for Passover. This was carried on by early Christians to prepare for Resurrection Sunday.
And, for the Eastern Orthodox, Lenten repentance isn’t sad but joyful. It is a joyful thing to turn from the ways of the world to the way of Jesus. So I guess it’s appropriate for me to say to all: Happy Lent!
Interesting. In this morning’s Office one of the Psalms really spoke to me:
Ps. 140:12
I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the poor
and render justice to the needy.