A Starting Place

A Reflection on the Second Reading for March 21st, 2021:
Fifth Sunday of Lent

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Hebrews
5.7-9

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

This Lent, I have been led into the beautiful place of accepting the reality of my brokenness. This may not sound much like a beautiful place to you, but it’s beautiful to me because it’s a starting place — it’s a place where I can begin to understand why I do what I do. From here, I can better see where I am held back from being wholly myself. I am working to understand my own mind and the experiences that have shaped it, taking one heavy step at a time with the weight of it on my back. Admittedly, this sounds like a fair bit of doom and gloom, and at times, that can be what I feel — but the truth is that hope in all that God promises is real, and it shines through for me in greater and greater ways all the time.

My arrival in this place has been achieved by my own versions of the raw and aching prayers that Jesus prayed, and helped along by those among us who have worked hard to understand both our faith and the human mind. By His submission to His Father’s will and the way He accepted His road to the cross, Jesus has taught me to obey His gentle leading into the hardest of places. I have followed — I’ll be honest, slowly and reluctantly at times — but as a result, I can honestly say that I truly feel heard by God and by those around me. Not that all my prayers have been granted according to my priority or preference, but that many of the cries of my heart have been heard and answered with graces only a merciful Father can give. 

Though my reality these days can be as confusing as this passage from Hebrews, I know in my bones that this is what is helping me toward the freedom to live as closely as possible to what He fully intends for me and for the world. God’s will for me — for all of us — is freedom from slavery, and Jesus Himself is the source of our salvation. 

If the tomb where Jesus was laid is representative of the broken parts of our hearts, we need to remember that light shines through as soon as the stone is rolled even the slightest bit away from the entrance. 

The resurrection is right around the corner, friends! The tomb will soon be empty!  

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Lindsay Elford

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