Most of us are familiar with the hymn, “Here I Am, Lord”, a hymn based on Isaiah 6:1-8 from the Old Testament Scriptures. On this First Sunday of Lent, let us take some time to imagine God the Father asking Jesus, “Whom shall I send to save the people?” Without hesitation, Jesus responded,
“Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.” (Dan Schutte)
Jesus came to us and gave his all. Opening his hands wide, Jesus allowed himself to be nailed to the cross for us. He was not going to take his sacrifice back from giving it to the Father. And us? In the spirit of stewardship, can we likewise love those who are a part of our every day life? Jesus did not pick and choose those he wanted to save. With Jesus, this Lent, let us hold all God’s people in our heart, moving beyond those we naturally love, to include all who are in those wide open hands of Christ on the cross.
Sister Bernadine