Lessons From Lent At The Grocery

I try not to go to my local grocery store on Sundays.  I don't have reticence because it's Sunday and I'm trying to refrain from shopping on the "Sabbath," mind you.  I work on Sundays, so that's a moot point for me. 

No, I don't like venturing into the grocery store on Sundays because it's usually lousy with people shopping for the week.  

But yesterday was an exception because I ran out of coffee and dishwasher pods. As you might imagine, the latter was less important than the former.  

The store was packed, and I texted a friend to whine a bit about the crowds, saying, "Everyone is at the H-E-B today."  She replied, "Tell them all I said 'hi'."

I chuckled and looked around. I was thinking of something witty to reply to, and I got a good look at the people mobbing the checkout lines.  Everyone looked stressed and in a hurry.  

I had a flash of compassion for all of them and something else.  I had this sense that if all of us gathered there, grumpily hurrying through the experience, just took a moment, we might discover something sacred and beautiful in it.  

A poignant feeling came over me, and I felt a divine connection between myself and the people so focused on rushing through to the next thing.  

I wanted to tell them all hello and that there was definitely a Spirit within and between us that we could all share if we only paused and looked around.  

Then the moment passed, and it was my turn to checkout.  But the feeling lingered, and I've been thinking about it ever since.  

As we journey through these last days of the sacred season of Lent, we are called not only to introspection and penitence but to an awakening of the divine presence within ourselves and in the world around us. 

Lent invites us to embrace the promise of renewal and transformation, recognizing that the Spirit of God in Christ is alive and active in our lives, even in unexpected ways.

Thomas Merton beautifully captures this truth when he says:  

“I have learned to rejoice that Jesus is in the world in people who know Him not, that He is at work in them when they think themselves far from Him, and it is my joy to tell you to hope though you think that for you of all hope is impossible. Hope not because you think you can be good, but because God loves us irrespective of our merits and whatever is good in us comes from [God’s] love, not from our own doing.” 

This profound insight reminds us that God’s love transcends our understanding of merit and worthiness; it is freely given to all, regardless of our station or self-perception.

During Lent, we often focus on self-denial and reflection, which are essential aspects of spiritual growth. 

Yet, we must remember that our journey is a shared experience. The Spirit of Christ connects us all, knitting us together in a tapestry of grace and love. As we strive for personal betterment, we are also called to recognize and nurture the goodness in others, seeing Christ's image reflected in everyone we encounter.

The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his letter to the Romans, stating: 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV). 

This scripture illuminates our understanding of God’s relentless and encompassing love, which reaches into the farthest corners of our hearts and the most distant paths of humanity. 

So, as we meditate on Merton’s words and Paul’s assurance, let us find hope not merely in our efforts to be good, but in the unwavering love of God that envelops us. 

In our interactions with others, may we become conduits of that love, recognizing that the Spirit of Christ dwells within us and them. This Lent, aim to be a source of encouragement and hope for those who may feel lost or unworthy. 

Embrace the reality that God’s presence is woven through every interaction and relationship. The love of Christ surrounds us; it is in our laughter, tears, struggles, and triumphs. 

Let us walk forward with the confidence that, no matter the circumstances, we are never alone, and that love is always present. In this, we find peace, hope, and the assurance of God’s enduring presence in our lives and the world.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.