Dearest Family and Friends of St. Margaret’s,
Greetings in Christ! I hope and pray your Lenten Season is a time of deepening renewal for you and your family in your walk with Our Lord.
Our psalm appointed for the Second Sunday in Lent is Psalm 22:22-30. It speaks of those who are hungry and in poverty – that they shall be filled and be satisfied.
Verse 23 says: “For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty; neither does he hide his face from them. But when they cry to him he hears them.”
These verses apply to those in physical hunger and poverty. The poverty and hunger in the world is breathtaking. It is no wonder that The World Food Programme won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
Also, working towards the goals of feeding the poor and hungry is the Poor Peoples Campaign, A Moral Action movement. Also, known as Moral Mondays, its leader is the prophetic leader, The Rev. Dr. William Barber II.
But as sure as these words of the Psalmist speak to physical poverty and hunger, they ALSO absolutely speak to SPIRITUAL poverty and hunger. Do we recognize our spiritual poverty? I believe the Poor Peoples Campaign speaks not only to physical poverty but to spiritual poverty. The movement calls for a deep Moral Revival in our country – seeking to stir the consciences of “the haves” to reevaluate their privilege – and take action towards reconciling the disparities.
The psalmist wrote these words millennia ago – and, as it is with Holy Scripture, it is telling and contemporary still in 2021. A call to action. To crying out to the Lord to fill us with God’s love and mercy. And to share the Good News of abundant life – both physically and spiritually.
Be well, look out for your neighbor, keep a Holy Lent, be smart, stay focused on Our Lord.
And, PLEASE read our post regarding the information on the upcoming Virtual Annual Meeting to be held on Sunday, Feb. 28th at 2:00 PM.
Jane+
View our Virtual Service on YouTube
(Available 9:00 AM the Day Of Service and Thereafter)