Repentance and Penance
Commentary
The meaning of words like repentance, penance, grace, reconciliation and the like have a way of getting away from one, growing vague and fuzzy or just plain becoming confused with one another.
The dictionary tells us that repentance is a state of the spirit; remorse, contrition, etc., while penance is a discipline or punishment associated with having sinned.
When penance follows repentance, it is an appropriate expression of one‚--ôs sincerity. When penance is substituted for repentance, it becomes an attempt to earn one‚--ôs salvation, to bribe God into overlooking our trespass.
As Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten season, the mood of the church begins to change. We seem to be conditioned to becoming more introspective and penitent. If we do not, someone will be there reminding us that we ought. Lenten self-denial programs will crop up here and there and we will be encouraged to give to something or deny ourselves something. We need to be careful that we do not move from a penitent spirit to penance and leave out repentance.
All of these are possible, of course, because there is a gracious God. Above all our concern for penitence, repentance and penance ought to be a never-ending proclamation of the grace of God.
OUTLINE I
It's Your Move
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17a; 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Introduction: Do some study regarding the symbolism of ashes as they were used by the Jews and the early church. Most of the congregation will be hearing this information for the first time.
1) The Call to Repentance. Few do this better than Joel. Note that even though Joel does it in the context of threat and judgment, he does not do it altogether as an offer of escape. Joel is clearly aware of the graciousness of God. That grace not only includes the possibility of forgiveness but even the possibility that God himself will repent. Here is a good place to track down other references to God‚--ôs changing his mind. Refer especially to the Moses stories.
2) The Offer of Reconciliation. It is important to make it clear that it is not an angry God who must be placated or reconciled but an offending people who need to be reconciled (brought near again -- have the slate cleared) to God. God has made the first move. (See 2 Corinthians 5:19) The next move is ours.
3) No Need to Grovel. The Matthean selection warns against outward piety. Only when the inward spirit and the outward appearance match are we in a reconciled relationship with God.
Conclusion: Offer the opportunity to respond, to make the next move.
OUTLINE II
So Others Can See God
Joel 2:1, 2, 12-17a
Introduction: Recall the circumstances of the prophecy of Joel. Recall the devastation that has come upon God‚--ôs people. Show how there is a yearning for a word of hope in the land.
1) Relate the yearning for a word of hope, a ray of light to our own day. There is enough melancholy and despair around for everybody. Some of it is because of the bleak scenes that are painted for us by futurists, apocalyptics and sober voices concerned for escalating world tensions, deterioration of our world environment, breakdown of morals, etc. You can make your own list.
2) Show how judgment is built in. While the pictures in the text seem to picture a God who waits till he has had enough and then pounces, the truth is that Judea reaped what she sowed, and so do we. A few illustrations here would help.
3) Joel's last words in today's text are so easy to miss. Read them again. Surely what we do, how we relate to God is seen by others. When we act in ways that bear good fruit and bring us alive again, all those about us can see the results and know that God is among us. See Matthew 5:14-16 and Numbers 23:21 and Hebrews 1 1 : 1 6 for some interesting variations of this theme.Conclusion: Offer the option for repentance. On the individual level it seems simpler. Relate it to the national and international scene and things suddenly grow more cornplex. But the truth is still there. Those who seek for hope and light, either as individuals or as nations, will find it, if at all, with God.
OUTLINE III
No Sweet Jesus
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Introduction: Point out that sentimentalism in music, story-telling and preaching has served to give us an image of Jesus that obscures the truth about who he was, what he did, and why he died. Songs like "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" may tickle the ear but serve us poorly when we strive to learn the truth about him whom we call Lord.
1) Read aloud for the congregation the gospel for the day. These were fighting words. Jesus was attacking the Pharisees where it hurt. Almsgiving, pious prayers and fasting were considered the marks of a truly faithful child of God. Little wonder they crucified him. Someone has said that Jesus was crucified not for saying "Consider the lilies how they grow" but for "Consider the thieves how they steal." He might also have said "Consider the hypocrites and how they put up a religious front."
2) It is important to note the repeated phrase "to be seen of men." That is the key. There is nothing wrong with almsgiving, praying and fasting. What matters is the spirit or intent of the act. One can admire Jesus‚--ô pragmatic attitude. If what you are after is adulation from other persons and you get that adulation, then you have what you were after so don‚--ôt expect more.
Conclusion: Offer the opportunity for examination of motives among those present, including the preacher. Be realistic about th real possibility of pure altruism but leave lots of room for improvement by everybody.
The dictionary tells us that repentance is a state of the spirit; remorse, contrition, etc., while penance is a discipline or punishment associated with having sinned.
When penance follows repentance, it is an appropriate expression of one‚--ôs sincerity. When penance is substituted for repentance, it becomes an attempt to earn one‚--ôs salvation, to bribe God into overlooking our trespass.
As Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten season, the mood of the church begins to change. We seem to be conditioned to becoming more introspective and penitent. If we do not, someone will be there reminding us that we ought. Lenten self-denial programs will crop up here and there and we will be encouraged to give to something or deny ourselves something. We need to be careful that we do not move from a penitent spirit to penance and leave out repentance.
All of these are possible, of course, because there is a gracious God. Above all our concern for penitence, repentance and penance ought to be a never-ending proclamation of the grace of God.
OUTLINE I
It's Your Move
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17a; 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Introduction: Do some study regarding the symbolism of ashes as they were used by the Jews and the early church. Most of the congregation will be hearing this information for the first time.
1) The Call to Repentance. Few do this better than Joel. Note that even though Joel does it in the context of threat and judgment, he does not do it altogether as an offer of escape. Joel is clearly aware of the graciousness of God. That grace not only includes the possibility of forgiveness but even the possibility that God himself will repent. Here is a good place to track down other references to God‚--ôs changing his mind. Refer especially to the Moses stories.
2) The Offer of Reconciliation. It is important to make it clear that it is not an angry God who must be placated or reconciled but an offending people who need to be reconciled (brought near again -- have the slate cleared) to God. God has made the first move. (See 2 Corinthians 5:19) The next move is ours.
3) No Need to Grovel. The Matthean selection warns against outward piety. Only when the inward spirit and the outward appearance match are we in a reconciled relationship with God.
Conclusion: Offer the opportunity to respond, to make the next move.
OUTLINE II
So Others Can See God
Joel 2:1, 2, 12-17a
Introduction: Recall the circumstances of the prophecy of Joel. Recall the devastation that has come upon God‚--ôs people. Show how there is a yearning for a word of hope in the land.
1) Relate the yearning for a word of hope, a ray of light to our own day. There is enough melancholy and despair around for everybody. Some of it is because of the bleak scenes that are painted for us by futurists, apocalyptics and sober voices concerned for escalating world tensions, deterioration of our world environment, breakdown of morals, etc. You can make your own list.
2) Show how judgment is built in. While the pictures in the text seem to picture a God who waits till he has had enough and then pounces, the truth is that Judea reaped what she sowed, and so do we. A few illustrations here would help.
3) Joel's last words in today's text are so easy to miss. Read them again. Surely what we do, how we relate to God is seen by others. When we act in ways that bear good fruit and bring us alive again, all those about us can see the results and know that God is among us. See Matthew 5:14-16 and Numbers 23:21 and Hebrews 1 1 : 1 6 for some interesting variations of this theme.Conclusion: Offer the option for repentance. On the individual level it seems simpler. Relate it to the national and international scene and things suddenly grow more cornplex. But the truth is still there. Those who seek for hope and light, either as individuals or as nations, will find it, if at all, with God.
OUTLINE III
No Sweet Jesus
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Introduction: Point out that sentimentalism in music, story-telling and preaching has served to give us an image of Jesus that obscures the truth about who he was, what he did, and why he died. Songs like "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" may tickle the ear but serve us poorly when we strive to learn the truth about him whom we call Lord.
1) Read aloud for the congregation the gospel for the day. These were fighting words. Jesus was attacking the Pharisees where it hurt. Almsgiving, pious prayers and fasting were considered the marks of a truly faithful child of God. Little wonder they crucified him. Someone has said that Jesus was crucified not for saying "Consider the lilies how they grow" but for "Consider the thieves how they steal." He might also have said "Consider the hypocrites and how they put up a religious front."
2) It is important to note the repeated phrase "to be seen of men." That is the key. There is nothing wrong with almsgiving, praying and fasting. What matters is the spirit or intent of the act. One can admire Jesus‚--ô pragmatic attitude. If what you are after is adulation from other persons and you get that adulation, then you have what you were after so don‚--ôt expect more.
Conclusion: Offer the opportunity for examination of motives among those present, including the preacher. Be realistic about th real possibility of pure altruism but leave lots of room for improvement by everybody.
