|
Morning Devotion for the Season of Lent
March 14, 2026
Reading: Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’
Meditation by Jeremy O’Neill
A few years ago, The Today Show ran a piece featuring actor Mark Wahlberg. The segment showed Wahlberg with a cross made of ashes on his forehead, with the title slide reading “Mark Wahlberg’s 40-Day Challenge.” This unique description of the season of Lent spawned many internet jokes in Christian circles, but it highlights a tension we feel both in Lent and throughout the church year.
On the one hand, there is the call to bear witness. For some this is described in terms of testimony, usually a verbal or written account of one’s personal experience of the divine. For others, bearing witness means standing up for beliefs and values.
The issue comes when bearing witness turns into judgement for the sake of making ourselves feel better or judgement for the sake of advancing our own self interests. This is what happens in the parable we read today, capped with the humorous words “God, I thank you that I am not like other people.”
In the age of social media, it feels as if this parable is as relevant as ever. It is tempting to look around at other people and think that we ought to denigrate them or put them down. It is even rewarded by our algorithms. It may even lead to success in our careers or cause us to feel better about ourselves. But the truth is, putting others down doesn’t make us happy, nor does it bring us closer to God.
So, back to Mark Wahlberg. How are we to share our faith and systems of meaning-making with others? Everyone has a different answer to this, and we are always discerning the best way to share the Good News. I hope we can all strive to be lights for others, in this season of orienting ourselves toward Christ and always. Whether or not Ash Wednesday is important to us and whether or not those around us would describe us as publicly Christian, there are plenty of ways for us to share Christ’s love for us in the world.
| 
