Reflection for Sunday – March 9, 2025

Margot VanEttenSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Deuteronomy 26: 4-10; Romans 10: 8-13; Luke 4: 1-13 
Preacher: Margot Van Etten

I recently saw a clip on You Tube from the musical Les Miserables. (Back story —  Jean Valjean is an escaped prisoner—condemned for stealing a loaf of bread.  From a saintly bishop, he receives wealth, a new identity, and home. He starts a business and becomes mayor. But another man is arrested, mistaken for him.) In this song Valjean asks himself “who am I?” —I can remain the successful, respected mayor who gives work to all these people —but at the expense of another man’s life?  Freedom—but at the cost of my soul?  He finally answers the question “who am I? I am Jean Valjean!”      

Who am I?  At my deepest core, who am I called to be?  In the first reading, the Israelites are called to remember their roots as wandering refugees and to be merciful.  Jesus, too, is confronted with this question in the desert. Son of God —what does that mean? What does it call him to do? Shall it be all about “me”— using God’s power for his own benefit? Shall he become a flashy showman wowing the crowds into following him? Should he accrue wealth and power, the trappings of empire with all its evils, becoming the World Conqueror? He recognizes these as temptations to pervert his true nature as Son of God, choosing instead the slow, humble path of suffering service and sacrifice.

We live in times that demand an answer to that question.  When hate, cruelty and fear seem ascendant, when rageful name-calling is coming from all sides —who am I called to be?

We who bear the name “Christian” are called to be shining beacons of God’s light and love for this world.

Right now, this is so hard to do. It is too easy to find ourselves driven to name-calling and expressions of disdain, to simmering hatred.  But then we become mirror images of what we fervently oppose.  Jesus calls us to love our enemies. This requires a huge spiritual effort—but it can be done, and it has great power. (Doubtful?  See the film Gandhi or read the book A Force More Powerful). And this is who we are called to be. 

Lent poses that question for each of us—Who am I? Really? And how do I become that person who can love enemies, who can extend God’s compassion to everyone?

I would like to share with you a meditation I learned 15 years ago. It is a powerful way to love your friends or enemies, to pay attention to people you normally overlook and even to pray for someone when you don’t really know what to ask for…

Let’s start with love—in this context (and in Jesus’ command) it means wishing the deepest happiness/blessedness, well-being and peace.

  1. Sit in a quiet place and relax, then remember someone who at some time extended love (the wish for your well-being, happiness and peace): a childhood favorite aunt or teacher, a mentor, or even some stranger who did a kind thing for you. Let the warmth of their kindness beam into your being like a ray of warm sunlight. Let yourself bask in the warmth and light of that wish.  If more people occur, add them and their light…
  2. Now “see” Jesus – standing behind them.  Imagine divine light shining from him, through the others, pouring into you. Let yourself accept his wish — “yes, may I have the deepest happiness, well-being and peace.” Let its warmth soak into you.  (If this is difficult for you, spend several days on this before going on). Let the light fill you, let yourself accept it.
  3. Now imagine that Jesus and those well-wishers move behind you, or within you, their love-light shining through you. Call to mind a someone dear to you.  Let the light flow through you to them. See the light fill them, bless them. Let yourself see more dear ones and do the same.
  4. Now imagine acquaintances — co-workers, neighbors—people you get along with but aren’t close to. Do the same.
  5. Now—strangers, people who pass on the street…
  6. Now the people you don’t particularly like… Then, those you dislike…sending light and blessing.
  7. Now the enemies… Again, sending God’s light and blessing
  8.  And finally, to everybody … blessing all. Rest in that light for a few minutes.

Try this during Lent. See if it helps you answer the question. It helps me.

Margot VanEtten
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