2nd Week of Lent, Transfiguration: the “Not-yet-ness” of Compassion

This is the next article in a series of Suggested Lenten Practices for 2010.

Lent 2010: A Journey into the Compassion of God

Today’s story of the transfiguration challenges us to consider how willing we are to change our perspectives, and how willing we are to grow into the persons God created us to be.  Compassion invites us to transformation, to have a change of heart that changes the very way we think, and leads us to live differently.

Spiritual Practice: All the community is invited to a common spiritual practice, in addition to whatever you have chosen to do individually.

• Spend some time reflecting on the following questions this week: How willing am I to change perspectives? How open am I to change? How do I allow my heart to be touched by God’s compassion?
• To expand your openness to change in a small, concrete way: for the rest of lent, intentionally sit in different places each time you come for liturgy.
  
• Practice compassion and patience when confronted with an unsettled and/or unsettling situation this week.
  

2nd Week of Lent – Justice Intersections, for further reflection:

A particular perspective: Those who stand in hope of justice and mercy ... Abraham's story resonates with those who long for a home and a place ... especially those who wander.

• Scriptural Reference: Reading 1: "I give you this land..."
• Church Teaching/Faith Connection: Rights of all people to migrate in order to better their lives and those of their families
• Spiritual Practice of Compassionate Solidarity: Take these concrete realities into prayer, through use of the imagination.  Imagine the physical and emotional experience of those people who migrate, often without material goods, in order to better their lives. Pray in solidarity with those who at this moment are suffering in this way.
• Intersection with my own journey: Is my deepest being "at home"?  What am I longing for?