WATCHWORD:
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:1-11
Meditation:
A Word that Doesn’t Exist?
It is Saturday, let’s get a little silly — Merriam-Webster tells me that the words, Pentance and Pentant, aren’t in the dictionary. If words aren’t in the dictionary, are they real words? Do they exist? If they aren’t words, how can I pronounce them? Why do they sound like real words? How can I spell them? I mean after-all, aren’t they derived from the word repentance?
We know that repentance means ‘the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings’. That being the case, then pentance could mean an awareness that I have done wrong and should do something about it, a vow that I would not repeat it, but then I do nothing. Or, how about this, someone says or does something that offends you and you double-down back at that person. Now you know you over-reacted, and should apologize, but you think, ‘they started it and they deserved it. I am not going to apologize’. That would be you being pentant.
Nearly five years ago I posted on my blog an essay entitled “I’m Simply Grand!”, and a bit of it relates to this topic.
“When do we fail to take responsibility? When does our arrogance and self-righteousness color and detract from our other qualities? When does “not my responsibility” blind us to the needs of others? Or just stops us from doing the right thing. Just thinkin’.
I’m Simply Grand!
Don’t look at me, I’m not to blame I didn’t rain out your silly game. I didn’t bring the clouds so grey, and cause the thunder to pound away and dampen down your Saturday!
Don’t look at me I’m not the cause, I’m not known to have any flaws. I didn’t get grease on your white dress. I didn’t make your hair a mess. I didn’t cause that bad grade. I didn’t cause the goof you made. And those extra pounds, I’m here to say I didn’t make you bulge that way!
Don’t look at me, I’m much too bright. My opinions are always right!”
I think this new non-word, pentance, that seeks to be recognized as a word with a real definition, is what we’re talking about. Maybe buried in the definition are words we are familiar with; such as arrogance, self-righteousness, conceit, or self-importance. Maybe this Watchword ought to be packaged up and shipped off to Meriam-Webster so that they can join us here in 2021.
Or, perhaps, we should think about this. I think that Jesus embraces our repentance when we step outside the lessons of our Lord, and we are sorry and confess our sin. He welcomes us back with love and open arms. However, when we take that step outside, and justify ourselves with lack of action and our own pride, then what? Would that be a state of pentance? What do you think?
Bulletin Board:
Shortly after I had completed the Watchword meditation for this coming Monday, using the title What if…, my granddaughter, Hazel Jane Escott, sent me a text informing me that her school show would be streaming, the title of which was “What If…” I’m not sure what the content of her show will be, but the title was a coincidence, and I am curious to watch the show this weekend, and , see, if “What If” has the flavor of my meditation. Hmmmm.
Hazel, a senior, and my grandson, Walter, a sixth grader, are both in the show, and like so many of our grandkids and other relatives, has experienced school so different this year from what they had anticipated. Their school, Renaissance Academy, Pasadena, CA, has always taken a creative approach to education, and this year and this show is no exception.
So, here is a special treat for all who are looking for a heart-warming show that will cause you to believe in the talent and creativity of the coming generation. What If…, was written and produced by the students of the Renaissance Academy, and, based on past shows I have seen, promises to be a special event. You can view the show anytime Saturday and Sunday. Simply follow this link: http://www.renarts.org/show
Closing Prayer:
Lord, We pray for the heart position of humility. Humility in such a way that we do not cheapen our own worth or value within, but that we take the alignment that we are here for a greater purpose than just our own gain. We pray that You will highlight to us what it truly means to live a humble life, and that our own worth will be revealed by Your Light. It is only then that we may truly live in freedom and right standing, for we will hold our own value correctly. Lord, we welcome You to mold and secure our hearts in true humility by Your lead. In Jesus name, Amen.
