Lent Day 24

Claiming the Name Exodus 20:7 (Click here to Read)

Before we begin to take pride in the fact that we do not use the Lord’s name to curse the persons, things, or events that get under our skin, consider this. Do we call ourselves Christian? That means that we claim for ourselves the name of Christ! Have we taken that name in vain? Do we live up to the commitments we made when we accepted the salvation that is open to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Do we live up to the commitments we made at our baptism and that we make each time we renew that commitment as others are brought into the community of faith. We committed ourselves to nurture others in the Christian faith, to proclaim the good news, and to live according to the example of Christ. What does this mean for our lives? Are we living up to what we think it means to be a Christian? Is the life of Christ our example of what our lives show to the world around us? Jesus lived a radical understanding of love, of what it means to be neighbor, and of who is included, and demonstrated special concern for the poor, the sick, and the excluded. Do we? Jesus embraced the Samaritans of His day -- the lepers, the bleeding woman, the tax collector, the cultural outsiders, and the religiously “incorrect.” Do we? If not, we are taking the name of the Lord in vain. What changes do we need to make during this Lenten season so that our claim and our lives give us the right to use the name “Christian” -- and not in vain?


Prayer: Lord, search me and know my heart. Search my life and help me to see what you see. Open me to your Holy Spirit so that I will know and have the strength and determination to make the changes I need to make so that my life is pleasing to you and I am free to claim the name “Christian.” Amen

~The Rev. Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell