Furthermore…

Our church bulletin usually includes some ‘Questions for Reflection’ based on the Sunday readings. I often see similar questions in other publications. Some of them are questions about what Jesus meant, or why the people reacted the way they did, and I’m comfortable with them.  They don’t require soul searching,  just some thought, speculation, or opinion. It’s pretty easy to toss off a bunch of words, even if only in one’s own head, about whatever topic is addressed.

Questions of the other kind hit closer to home. They ask exactly what do I plan to do about some call to sanctity or change to my life,  or whether I have ever fallen short of what the Gospel asked of me, or maybe even “Why?”.  Yikes! Pass the Aspirin.

I don’t like examinations of conscience either!

Preacher to congregation:

“Don’t hesitate to give what you think you own to God.  Keep in mind that in fact it’s Lent.”