Lent VI: Wrongness

 . . . by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes . . . 

 - From Daniel 9

There's a humility that goes along with the growth of a great enterprise. Large and successful families get that way, because of the sacrifice and selflessness of their forbears. Nations grow into great powers, if a generation operates according to the long view, the selfless view . . . one that has future generations in mind.

Today, movements abound, of teenaged and college-aged students, saying such things as "If you won't be the adults, we will." But they give away their motives by stating that their thoughts are on their own futures . . . not that of future generations. Philosophically, they do not seem to be interested in ensuring that there even will be future generations.

But it takes decades of life, to formulate a long view of things. This is why we are charged with listening to our elders.

It is a common theme today: people say "I'm sorry" enough. But I think they don't say it much at all! To be sincerely sorry requires true humility - - - and lack of humility is the reason we have divorce, strife, wars. And if you can't be humble to each other, how can you be humble to God?

Daniel pulled out all the stops to make sure he was ready to hear from God. He was so concerned about the declining fortunes of Judah, that he humbled himself complete. Perhaps his contrition would count, and God's favor would return to His people.

We have to make it okay to be wrong. But I can't even get people to admit that, as imperfect people, they might be wrong about something.

But that's what's going to have to begin happening, if we are to turn around our poorly functioning national machinery.

Lent is a good time to try out a little contrition.