February 11th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Blow the trumpet in Zion;
   sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
   for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—
a day of darkness and gloom,
   a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness spread upon the mountains
   a great and powerful army comes;
their like has never been from of old,
   nor will be again after them
   in ages to come.

Yet even now, says the Lord,
   return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
   rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
   for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
   and relents from punishing.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
   and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
   for the Lord, your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion;
   sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
   gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
   assemble the aged;
gather the children,
   even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
   and the bride her canopy.

Between the vestibule and the altar
   let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.
Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord,
   and do not make your heritage a mockery,
   a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
   “Where is their God?” ’

Reflection
It's time to come together. Come together in love with and for one another. Come together and prepare. God has given us the chance of repentance. But we must turn around and face God. We must make a decision to do this. God wants us to act and come to him. God is looking for us to come to him and repent of our sins. It's time to come together, one with another and individually to repent.

Turn and look. Turn and see. God is gracious and merciful and slow to anger. God loves you. God loves me. Turn and see! Yes! Repent... turn... see God's forgiveness... see God's love.

Prayer
Lord, you call me to turn around. To repent of my sins. I'm afraid. I know what I deserve. But when I turn I hear your word's of love and acceptance. I see a loving and caring Father. I see a loving and caring Savior. I see a loving and generous Spirit. Spare your people... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen