Lenten Practices: Part II

In last month's Interchange we reported what some Saints of John told us about their intentions during Lent. We followed up with a few of them and found discovery and fresh understanding. We also found we needed to re-commit to our practice(s), despite all good intentions, and through this came an acknowledgement of our humanity - and perhaps a bit more understanding of and compassion for the disciples who fell asleep while on watch in the Garden of Gethsemane.

One response, in particular, was striking because, in a typical Lenten Practice way, it brought additional questions to grapple with, practices to continue, and perhaps, engaging likeminded people to join the conversation, and maybe, engage in refreshed ministry: "My Lenten practice this year was to read books about poverty so I can better understand and empathize with the people who live just outside our church doors. I am struck by how seemingly unassailable our current economic system is while the poorest among us, in one of the richest countries in the world, don't have their most basic needs met. It is easy to blame our neighbors for their circumstances but this fails to take into account that even when working one full-time job at minimum wage the compensation is insufficient to pull someone out of poverty. How can we bridge this gap and fight for a fair economic system for all?"

Thanks be to God.