Inconvenient God

The beginning of Lent is marked by the joint Ash Wednesday service at the parish church. A sombre event, which includes 'The Imposition of Ashes' within a service of Holy Communion. Palm crosses left over from the previous year, are burnt and mixed with oil to form a black gloopy looking paste, which is used to draw the cross on the foreheads of penitent parishioners. This act of repentance is followed by the Peace, which provides the opportunity to admire everyone else's forehead.

The KHT wondered what would happen if she kept the cross on her forehead. Fortunately, by the end of the service, it was already a blur, courtesy of her fringe. Hopefully, she washed off the remnant, before she got into bed.  It is also a good idea to remove your cross if you are planning to pop into the supermarket on the way home, unless you want to get involved in theological discussion at the checkouts.

The gospel reading was the familiar story of the woman caught in adultery, which is always a challenging passage - like where was the man!? Why was it only the woman who was in trouble? As I listened I was struck by the fact that Jesus wasn't overly interested in the woman's actions, or her justification for them. They both knew she was guilty. The difference was that Jesus knew that they had all sinned.  However, Jesus wanted the woman to change, and it was her transformation and future that mattered, more than her past indiscretions. I was feeling strangely encouraged by this, and then God whispered in my ear.
"You know those situations that are bothering you. "
"Yes."
"You think that you are right, don't you?"
"Well, yes. Because...."
"I understand. You don't need to justify why you feel as you do."
"O.K."
"Don't get trapped in the righteousness of your argument"
"But...!
"Put down the accusations you want to throw."
"But..."
"Just one thing. You have to forgive."
"They haven't admitted that they are wrong yet!"
"That is not the point. 
You need to forgive them or you are just like those who wanted vengeance in the story"
"I'm not accusing anyone of adultery!"
"I know, but you are feeling wounded by the choices they have made."
"True"
"And you think that they are wrong."
"Well consider the evidence..."
"I consider everything.  
I know everything. 
Do not forget I can see the bigger picture
"Probably..."
"Trust me."
"I am trying to..."

Sometimes God's ways are rather inconvenient!