Lent - Death and... Taxes?

My grandmother (abuelita) just celebrated 100 years of life. I can only begin to imagine all the life she's experienced - so much seen, heard, felt, struggled through, overcome, witnessed fully and more, since 1918. What stories have been told, written, shared and lived over the years. While there have been many characters (and that's a loose term) who have come and gone in her life, there has been one foundational person, even in these later years, whom she consistently recognizes on her journey - even while some have faded from recognition - and that's Jesus. Yet, I wonder, in the midst of clarity, does the inevitable overwhelm her or is it a welcomed finish line?

I guess cliches become cliches because of a hint of truth to them. One such truth, is In life, there are two certainties, death and taxes. I wonder what that says about the person who tries to avoid both in their short existence on this planet? That might just be for another blog? In any case, this just happens to be the season for both - at least, if you're a Jesus follower and live in North America! 

Lent reminds us that death is inevitable and taxes... well, that's just part of existing!

Death may not be the most uplifting message, but as mortal beings it's a truth we all must face. The reminder during this season is important if we are to be ones who say "yes" to following Jesus. "Follow me" is not, nor has it ever been, an easy, comfortable message. Following Jesus will inevitably challenge our desire to be self-sufficient consumers as it calls us to deep dependency on our daily Bread. A Bread that is then blessed, broken, and given to others in Love, without any catch. It calls us to be sacrificial people.

As sacrificial followers seeking to become more and more like the One (Jesus) we follow, we might end up sacrificing things - time, talents, comfort, security, safety... we never expected. We might even offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. If that's the case, which I tend to believe it is, this journey to the cross is essential. Sunday may be coming, but there is no Sunday without Friday. There is no resurrection without death. There is no new life without dying. Yet, this is a dangerous and often times, very lonely journey - even in the midst of community.

When we begin to face the end, we long for community - friends - maybe even as Jesus did in the Garden. When we begin to really face sacrifice and death, we often run in fear, much like the disciples who ran when Jesus was taken. As one author put it, the only problem with living sacrifices is that they tend to always want to jump off the altar. 

This has definitely been true in my own life, yet the calling to die to self still whispers gently while the noise of pride, ego, me first, and self-preservation scream loudly. The struggle is real for us all and one my grandmother I know has faced over and over again in these past 100 years. Yet, as my Abuelita would pray nearly daily - Lord Jesus, I'm yours, you are mine and I need you - we too must pray in faith similarly. To be the Lord's means; sacrifice, it means suffering, it means even death, but a death that paradoxically leads to life!

Is this the transformation we really want though? Death to life seems extremely difficult.

As humans, we face the never ending challenge of conformity or transformation. It's true that, "for the most part our conformity is unnoticed because it seems so normal." For example, we conform to a society that is infused with race and gender bias or an economy where those with the most survive the best, and the least... well they still remain the least. We conform to the need for constant technological advances to be in hand - have you upgraded your phone lately or are ready to upgrade to a self-driving car yet?

The season of Lent, and now this Holy Week, where we walk the way of the Cross with Jesus should cause us to pause and reflect on our such issues. Not all issues or "conformities" are essentially bad. Yet, in Christ, we might just be called to something bigger. The way Jesus lived, spoke, walked and loved - all the way to the Cross - demonstrates transformation and most definitely not conformity. A transformation from what seems so normal to outlandish practices like; generosity, hospitality, graciousness, kindness, a refusal of status-quo or gender biases, a refusal for vengeance and violence even. Jesus was so bold as to call it a new commandment way of living - Love, love as I have loved you. And then actually said, our Love will prove to the world that we are His disciples (John 13:35).

So, this holy weekend, maybe we do need to die to self once more. Sunday's coming, but let's not fail to remember that Friday is essential. Let's walk this way together so that Love may be resurrected in us all once more and in turn, the world will know whose we truly are - Transformed Disciples of the Resurrected King Jesus.

May your love overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you determine what really matters. May Christ fill your lives with His love, your minds with His thoughts, your mouths with His truth, so that every part of our living is touched by the grace of God, in Christ and through the Holy Spirit.