A Less Obvious Way

A Less Obvious Way
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Psalm 32
March 14, 2010
Year C
Fourth Sunday in Lent

Hallelujah appears in the bible 18 times. 14 times in the later psalms – which means that it did not become a saying until late in Hebrew history. And 4 times in the new testament – in the book of revelation – once again late in the history of the development of the church. Jesus was never recorded as saying hallelujah. Even though I am sure that he said praise God in some form or another many times – even if it was just in prayer. With the coming of easter, we are reminded that Jesus is our hallelujah – our reason for praising God. Perhaps that is why we choose not to say it during lent.

The inspiration for our recurring hallelujahs comes from a song – that seems to be gaining popularity again. It was first written in the early seventies by Leonard Cohen. I wanted to play it for you. I choose not to have us sing it because with a name lke Cohen, I would assume that he is jewish – and has a very jewish idea of the word hallelujah - there is nothing wrong with that. But it is not written as a song for worship so it has absolutely no theological value. But as you listen to the song – I think you will agree that hallelujah is just a pretty song all by itself. This song has been recorded by all types of artist over the years – who seem to agree. I choose this version by the Canadian tenors because it seemed the most praiseworthy and dignified.
Definitely a lent hallelujah – and not a easter hallelujah. Reminding us that we still need God in the midst of all situations. And that no matter what – we have a reason to praise God.
That is the point of the psalms – the praises of god in the midst of all types of circumstances. Some happen in ones deepest darkest hour, in the valley of the shadow of death. Some happen in the midst of despair of asking why is this happening to me, some happen on the way to Jerusalem to keep you busy on a long questioning journey. Psalm 32 is one of 7 penitiential psalms. – psalms of a person who knows that they are in need of forgiveness. And after they have turned their life around – they return to god – happy for the chance to go on in life again.
I am happy again, yes I am. I am happy because I told God. I told god about the wrong things I did. And I said to God, I am sorry. For a long time I felt bad. I was always worried and sad. I didn’t tell God about the wrong things I did. I didn’t tell God anything. But now I am happy again. I can sing, I can dance, I can play. I told God about the wrong things I did. And I sad to God I am sorry. I said to God I am sorry, Ill try to live in your way. Ill try to be kind to the person I hurt. I’ll try to frends once again. I am happy again – yes I am I am happy because I told God told God about the wrong things I did and I said I am sorry.
That is what lent is all about – learning how to say I am sorry. Learning that I am not perfect. Being able to acknowledge that no matter how hard I try to be good – there are still ways in which I come up short. In my relationship wth god and in my relationship with others.
There is a calvin and hobbes comic. Calvin, who is always a bad boy tells hobbes – you know I feel bad because I know that I hurt susies feeling. I am really sorry that I did that. Hobbes, the voice of wisdom says well maybe you should go and apologize to her. Calvin sits and thinks for a minute and says was hoping that there was a less obvious solution.
I think the point for us is not that we all have something that we need to say sorry about. But the point is that we as humans are always looking for that less obvious solution. – hoping that there is some other way besides addressing the issue head on. Hoping that there are some other words to say besides I was wrong for what I said and how I treated you.
God’s concern is not so much that you are out of integrity and have not repented, but that you have gotten comfortable living in a world where that is normal. Where everybody forgets to say I am worry. Where everybody has a part in doing wrong – but no one wants to be the person to take the first step. We are all convinced that we are not the problem – that you are. If you would just say I am sorry – then this situation would get better. If you would just do what you are supposed to do, if you would just correct your mistake, If they just saw things differently we wouldn’t be in this mess. If they weren’t so confused, if they just did what they know to be right.
Lent is a reminder that transformation of the world starts with us – not with them. All of the time that I am waiting to hear I am sorry – I could learn to say I am sorry. The first step to expecting something different from them is to expecting something different from myself.
Lent is a reminder that Jesus was willing to take the first step. To say the first I am sorry, to come to the presence of God and ask for forgiveness. If Jesus can do it, them so can we. jesus was innocent – we are sinners. When we say I am sorry to people – you don’t know what you are going to get in return. But when we say I am sorry to god – you always get forgiveness. When we let go of our sins – there is always a sense of relief that that is over with.
Forgiveness is our little easter – our reason to celebrate. Our reason to celebrate – our reason to say hallelujah. That is over with – that burden is released and we are free to pray, to receive protection, to tell others, to rejoice in God’s love. If it feels good to be free of our own sins – imagine what it will feel like when the world is free of theirs. What better reason to shout – hallelujah!
Let us pray…