Sacrifice, Penance

O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice! Psalm 95:6-7

"Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come." Rev. 4:8. This is the song we will sing while the ages roll. Let’s look at this word “holy.” To be “holy” means to be “set apart” for a noble purpose. Surely our God, the one true God, the creator of the universe, qualifies to be called Holy, for he is set apart from all his creation.

Our bible, which contains the word of God, is set apart from other writings and we call it the Holy Bible. The nation of Israel was chosen and set apart from the other nations for the purpose of being a light to the other nations. Israel is referred to in the bible as a Holy nation. The sacraments, recalling Christ’s sacrifice, are set apart from other food and drink, and so we call the celebration of them, Holy Communion.

Likewise, you and I are called out to separate our selves from the world. We are called to the noble purpose of sharing the good news and participating in bringing to fulfillment God’s Kingdom on earth. Hence, as a body, we are referred to as the Holy Church of Jesus Christ.

Let us not be confused. Being Holy does not mean that we are without sin. We are still sinners saved by grace. John Newton, the former slave ship captain, who wrote “Amazing Grace” is said to have proclaimed shortly before his death, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Savior!” What amazing grace!” John Newton was a holy man, not because he had achieved perfection, but because he was set apart for the purpose of writing that wonderful hymn.

Finally, Jesus, our blessed savior, was made holy. He was set apart from all other persons, to be the great example, and finally to give his life in the ultimate act of sacrifice for sinners like you and like me. And so we sing to him “Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations! Son of God, and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration now and forevermore be Thine!”

Come Tuesday of this week, we will eat our pancakes and our fasnachts. Symbolically, we will clear our houses of fats, and our lives of the dross that seems to consume our daily lives. Then we will put on ashes, and with contrite hearts, remember again what Christ did for us. Truly we are sinners, saved by the Grace of a Holy God.

Prayer: Most Holy God; as we begin this season of Lent, we recall that Jesus went through a forty-day period of fasting and preparation in the wilderness. We are also facing a forty-day period of prayer, fasting, penitence and remorse. As we wind our way through the dark valleys of reflection, we know that you will be by our side. Minister to us as we in turn minister to others. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.