1st Sunday of Lent
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Written by Julia Lopez
Lent has arrived. Our journey through the desert with Jesus has come and there’s no where to go but through. I don’t know about you, but lent really snuck up on me this year. In many ways, I didn’t feel ready. This somber season of penance just didn’t sound too appealing this time around. Wouldn’t it just be nice to skip to the good part? The part where Jesus conquers sin and death and saves us?
These are the moments I see my humanity. I just want the good parts without all the suffering, without the trial, without the pain. However, in reality, the good part only exists because of everything that came before. How could we recognize the good things if we have never experienced what things were like before?
How could we recognize a good cup of coffee if we’ve never tasted bad coffee? How could we recognize good service at a restaurant if we’ve never experienced the opposite? How could we recognize a beautiful church if we’ve never seen an ugly one? (And I know we’ve all seen them).
The less than desirable reveals to us what good is. We gain the capacity to acknowledge and more importantly, appreciate the difference. Today’s psalm “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned” addresses this exact thing. We only come to truly recognize the gift of mercy when we have lived on the other side, when we have tried doing life on our own terms and come up empty handed. “For I acknowledge my offense….give me back the joy of your salvation”, this disposition of the heart is exactly what I want to reflect going into this lenten season.
“Lord, give me a humble heart of repentance to recognize my weakness and where I fall short. I’ve seen what life is like when I try to do it on my own. Help me walk with you. I trust in your mercy because I’ve experienced it and I know the gift that it is. Help me to live in the joyful hope that the resurrection is coming.”
This journey through the desert has no way out but through. Don’t skip to the good part. Walk with the Lord. Suffer with Him, experience His pain and emotions so that on that joyful Easter morning you can more fully recognize the gift of His resurrection.
What is the disposition of your heart entering this lenten season? How can you open yourself up to the Lord’s mercy?
After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2019, Julia Lopez, formerly of the worship duo Still Morning, has spent the last few years working in ministry in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, traveling and leading worship in parishes, at retreats, conferences and recording original music. Julia is passionate about people, hospitality and evangelization. She currently lives in Oklahoma City and manages a local coffee shop where she gets to use her gifts to love and serve the people who walk through the door. You can follow her on Instagram.
Pray with today’s psalm.