I ventured into the garden the other day. The snow had melted, and I thought it a good time to weed out dried overgrowth and winter clutter in preparation for planting. I carefully worked around the good herb plants, preserving the oregano, mint, and lemon balm.
Lent is a good time for preserving what is good and weeding out what is not.
When I was teaching, I would occasionally draw students’ attention to an online piece of biblical fine art.
One time, we were viewing a painting depicting Jesus “cleansing of the temple.”
“They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there…” (Mark 11:15)
We were trying to assess the facial expressions that the artist gave the characters in the scene. I asked the class what they saw in the face of Jesus. Hands went up. Several students offered thoughtful comments. Some saw anger, prophetic authority, judgment, impatience, dismay, and more.
One student said that they saw compassion in the face of Jesus.
In the years I showed that piece of art, this was the only time I heard that interpretation. The observation surprised me. I think it was right.
When Jesus disrupted the commercial side of temple operations, I think he was calling the people to a deeper understanding of God’s presence. Sacrifice is not a commodity, and a contrite heart cannot be purchased. Conversion is not a matter of trade or transaction. It is rather what happens when we, in freedom, let ourselves be loved by God as Father, revealed by the compassion of Jesus.
Perhaps Lent is the ideal time to help our children explore how they can respond to the needs and suffering of others. The threefold Lenten practices can help. If we think of fasting as recognizing what we truly need, almsgiving as sharing what we have, and prayer as finding God’s grace active in our lives, then we are free to respond to all the people we encounter with compassion.
“[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32)
Lent clears our hearts and minds so we may focus on the cross of Jesus that frees us for Him. We look upon Him who looks upon us with the compassion of God.
In our family prayer this Lent, let us ask the Lord for the grace of compassion.