Saturday, March 13, 2021

Saturday in the Third Week of Lent

Rob Stevens

The Collect

O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: Grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings: Hosea 6:1–6, Luke 18:9–14 & Psalm 51:15–20

Comparisons…boy they are deadly. This Gospel nails it. Thank God I’m not as bad as that person! We often do it from the other side as well…and it looks like jealousy. How do we keep ourselves from this constant comparison?

I learned a phrase early in my life and I don’t know who to credit for it, but it is a helpful reminder for me and keeps me from going too far down the rabbit hole of comparison. “Everybody has a box of rocks.” What it means to me is that we all have our “stuff.” Yes, some people seem to have more “stuff” but we all have some…and it’s ours. For me, when I remember that we all have our box of rocks, it is the beginning of empathy and compassion instead of comparison, judgement or jealous.

So much of living a life of faith is about setting ourselves up to be reminded. To be reminded that we are the beloved children of God, reminded that our work is to love God and to love each other, no more…no less, reminded that each of us are carrying burdens that very few if anyone know about. Be reminded of this daily is a good start to a life well lived.

I love bumper stickers…(I actually can’t believe what some people put on their cars!) Whoops…see how easy it is to compare and judge! One bumper sticker I saw just the other day is another reminder not to compare. It read, “Everybody has issues…Be Kind.”

Amen…Amen…Amen…

It’s the doing that is difficult. May we have courage and strength to remember and not compare.