1 February 2026
We’re on the fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, entering into the second month of the calendar year, in the twenty-sixth year of the third millennia Anno domini. Throughout the history of the world there have been historic moments of collective peace, war, famine, growth, joy, sorrow, birth and death. Yet today, in these singular twenty-four hours, are the moments that allow us to become sinners or saints… opportunities for us to be a people of the Gospel, or not.
And at this moment in time, in our little hamlet of Hastings in our besieged state of Minnesota as a part of these United States, there are plenty of opportunities in these extra-ordinary times to channel our inner Zephaniah: observe God’s law, seek justice, pursue humility, do no wrong, and speak no lies.
In this moment in time there are singular moments in which we have a choice to channel our inner psalmist: secure justice for the oppressed, give food to the hungry, sight to the blind, and protect the stranger. These actions, to quote St. Paul, beg us to “consider our own calling” in our discernment of where our world needs us.
And with these Christ-like actions, some will call us foolish. Some may even despise us for choosing to stand alongside the weak and lowly. But remember these word: “God chose the foolish to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong, and those who are nothing to reduce those who are something.”
Two thousand years ago, a subset of people (Christians) were maligned and oppressed by another subset of people (Romans). One was poor in spirit, one was powerful in law. One group mourned while the other laughed during the gladiator sport. One hungered and thirst for justice, one did not. One treated their fellow men with mercy and dignity, one did not. One hoped for the equality of a peaceful nation, one did not. One was insulted on a daily basis through words and actions, one was not.
Each morning, one subset awoke to the rhythms of prayer went about their daily tasks permeated with faith and trust in God, while the other awoke to the rhythm of dominant culture and went about their daily tasks with an eye towards the many ruthless gods who ruled their world with power.
One could reasonably argue that our world is not much different that it was then.
The question we all must ask ourselves is… where do we stand in the eyes of God? In our day-to-day lives, in the ordinary moments of life, how does Jesus see us? Are we kind even to those we disagree with? Are we generous to those who have less than us? Are we merciful to those in difficult situations? Do we treat every soul with dignity as created in the image and likeness of God? Do we work for peace in our world and in our hearts? Do we forgive others and Jesus has forgiven us? Are we apprenticing to Jesus in our daily lives, committing to his purpose and learning his way… or merely disciples-in-name-only while following those ruthless gods of power, wealth, and popularity?
If you wonder where you are standing in the light of Christ, one telltale sign seems to be that you are made-fun-of, belittled, insulted, and persecuted for your kindness, love, gentleness, and protection of the weak and lowly. If those things aren’t happening to you while you go about your ordinary daily life, then perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate and reorient your actions. #Lentgoals