The story of Jacob is a story of deceit. Among the many lies this tale involves are a son (Jacob) lying to his father and swindling his brother (Esau) out of his rightful inheritance. But salvation history is not about perfect people (if we were perfect, we wouldn't require redemption), it is about God in our midst, transforming the mud of human experience into God's glorious purpose. Jacob was redeemed and protected by God from the legitimate consequences of his sin, and his response was to put away his other gods and purify himself. The call of Lent is for us to examine ourselves and be ready to greet the resurrection experience by putting away the "foreign gods" in our own lives and offering ourselves purified to the Risen Christ. Here are some "foreign gods" we may need to put away:

The need to fix everything. We live in a society where there is a pill for every ailment, where every problem is supposed to have a solution (usually an instant one). This attitude infects even people committed to and striving for justice. We cry out for solutions to homelessness, poverty, discrimination. The cry is legitimate (after all, those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness" are among the ones Jesus specially named as "blessed"), but if we think we are somehow going to find or enforce the perfect, comprehensive solution to these or other social ills, we are confusing ourselves with God. The reality is: human experience is broken in countless different ways and every person, every situation cannot be fixed. We need to let go of our urge for control and instead relax into being a presence of God's grace among those we touch. I find that, as I live in the moment and refuse to expend my energy trying to "fix" someone else, I am free to discover the Christ in that person in new and profound ways. It is a life giving, life-freeing experience just to let God be God and River be a presence of God's grace.

The belief that life should be easy. Scott Peck opens his excellent book, The Road Less Traveled, with the statement that "Life is difficult." The kids of Polk gulch often tell me they use drugs because that makes life easier. Life is too hard without drugs, they say. A billion dollar advertising industry spews out an overwhelming message in every medium that, if we will just buy a certain product, life will be easy. Americans are perhaps unique as a people in their conviction that life ought to be easy and if it isn't somebody's to blame and should pay. My own experience is that whether I have money or not, friends or not, no matter what the state of my circumstances, life is never easy. The journey of life has its ups and downs. Lent is a time to acknowledge the fact that life is difficult but that it is in the difficult times we most often find God.

The need to be liked. Recently I unthinkingly told someone about a threat made against me and that person was shocked: "Who'd want to hurt you? Everyone must like you!" The life we lead at Temenos lends itself to creating enemies, as - in one way or another - will any life that attempts radical gospel faithfulness. Yet I have struggled all my life with the desire to be liked, and I'm still sensitive to the barbs that often come my way. But I realize this desire to be liked, approved, "supported," is a false god which enslaves me to the opinions of others and the norms of the larger culture in which we all live. When we let go of this god (again and again, day by day), then we are free to be ourselves and work for what we believe is real, knowing that, as God walked with Jacob, broken liar though he was, God walks with us.

These are some of my "false gods"; perhaps they ring true for you as well. But worshiping these gods limits our ability to be a presence grace, enslaves us to fantasies of a certain kind of life that we have a right to expect and makes us dependent on the whims and expectations of others. But, as followers of the Risen Jesus, we have only the promise that "in all things God works for good," even if we can't fix everything, even if life is often difficult, even if not everybody likes us. What are the false gods you are being called to "put away" this Lent?

GOOD FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Temenos will be sponsoring a "Public Stations of the Cross" on Good Friday, April 21st, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. We will meet at City Hall and observe the stations at various points in the Tenderloin, witnessing to the crucifixion of Christ in the homeless through continued police sweeps, cuts in medical care, lack of mental health care and lack of options for shelter. If you are interested in participating, please call or e-mail Fr. River.

DAY OF SILENCE

Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people (GLBT) are forced into silence every day â€" when we can't say at work or school who our partner is, when there is a "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military and ROTC programs, when our churches will accept us as members only if we dissemble about who we are sexually and emotionally. This silencing takes a particular toll on GLBT youth, who have to face possibilities of being kicked out of their homes if they speak the truth, separated from the families that should be their primary and best support system. The Day of Silence Project has been organized by young people around the country to address this reality. The concept is simple: participants agree that, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5th, they will not speak. Instead of talking, participants will pass out cards reading: "Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. People who are silent today believe that laws and attitudes should be inclusive of people of all sexual orientations. The Day of Silence Project is to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression and prejudice. Think about the voices you are not hearing. What can you do to end the silence?" For more information please contact Day of Silence Project Co-Chair Emily at Dreamer415@aol.com.

LENTEN SCHEDULE

All events at The Space, 1177 Polk Street, unless otherwise indicated.

     3/19, 6:15 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
     3/26, 6:15 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
     4/2,  6:15 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
     4/9,  6:15 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
     4/16, 6:15 p.m. - Palm Sunday Eucharist
     4/20, 8:00 p.m. - Maundy Thursday
            Eucharist & Footwashing
     4/21, 10:00a.m. - Noon
            Public Stations of Cross
            (Meet at City Hall)
     4/23, 5:00 p.m. - Easter Dinner
     4/23, 6:15 p.m. - Easter Liturgy of the
            Holy Eucharist

    Confessions: Sundays 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.    

We have served 1850 meals to 850 people, given out 420 food baskets to low income families, exchanged 8000 needles and supplies, provided 220 blankets, 450 pairs of socks, and sacramental ministry to 65, made 35 hospital visits and 22 jail visits. Through your generosity, our ministry of presence continues. To our following partners in ministry we give thanks: Valerie Heine, Marybeth Williams, Edward LeBlanc, Laura Cheifetz, Pat Christian, Sr. Bernie Gavin, St. Anthony Foundation, The Rev. Cathy Bohrman, Bishop Stephen Burke, Martha Courtot, Larry Holben, Tom Wadell Clinic, Roy and Linda Moss.

CATHOLIC WORKER FARM CANDLES

Longtime Catholic Workers Chris and Joan Montesano of Catholic Worker Farm, Sheep Ranch, have been friends and supporters of Temenos since we first met them four and a half years ago. Their ministry to persons with AIDS is supported in part by sales of a line of beautiful, handcrafted candles made at the Farm. As well as candles for use at baptism, Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) and other liturgical functions, the Farm offers beautiful tapers in various sizes impressed with handpicked wildflowers - a true expression of Peter Maurin's call for continuation of the craft tradition. Please support the Montesanos as they have supported us by purchasing candles from their extensive selection. They can be reached at 209/728-2193 or by mail at P.O. Box 60, Sheep Ranch, CA 95250.