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4th Sunday in Lent

Forgiveness is in the air-along with repentance, confession, and reconciliation. Each of the stories or teachings could easily make for a useful hearing of the gospel. But this is one of the rare occasions that we could learn from the interweaving of these related lessons as we move deeper into Lent. Whichever road you take-enjoy the good news of forgiveness!

JOSHUA 5:9-12-FROM NOMADIC TO SEDENTARY LIFE

In this lesson Israel begins the transition from a nomadic wandering life into the sedentary life. Such is the task of the new generation, to move the Israelite community into a new place-a place in the Fertile Crescent that will win through conquest and holy war. At the start of this new era, Joshua orders two seemingly unrelated actions: circumcision and the observance of Passover. Both events are embedded in Israel’s history and Joshua no doubt wants to etch these two events in their corporate memory. They recall Israel’s covenantal relationship to God. A final harbinger of a new place for Israel is the cessation of manna-the food of nomadic Israel to be replaced by first fruits of the crops of the land of Canaan.

PSALM 32-ODE TO FORGIVENESS

Traditionally placed in the Church’s collection of "Penitential Psalms," this psalm forms a didactic song that begins with the happiness of the forgiven person and concludes with an exhortation for the community to "be glad / rejoice" in view of God’s steadfast love. Especially useful in the season of Lent is the forgiveness theme located in vv. 1-5. Here, not only is forgiveness praised, but it is viewed from the perspective of a process that includes promise (Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven) to the torment of unconfessed sin (While I kept silence, my body wasted away . . . ) to confession (Then I acknowledged my sin . . .), and forgiveness (and you forgave the guilt of my sin).

2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21-ENVOYS OF GOD

This lesson could well be a counterpoint to Psalm 32. As in the psalm we see the notion of forgiveness here in the form of reconciliation made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Such an event, in the view of Paul, puts to death the hostility between God and human beings. God has transferred to the community of Christians this sacred trust to proclaim reconciliation to God as God’s official representatives.

LUKE 15:1-3; 11b-32-DKDKDDK

The story of the prodigal son is wisely prefaced by vv. 1-3 which makes the two sons more understandable in this famous story. Tax collectors and sinners . . . and the Pharisees and the scribes . . . Interesting audience standing across the aisle from one another! Thus both groups will be able to identify with the various characters that traipse across the stage. What a great story for Lent-the journey home to the loving arms of God.