“¹² When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” ¹³ Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”    Matthew 9:12-13 (NLT)

This morning, I see a large number of people who are taking a pledge to give up Facebook and/or Twitter for Lent.

Some claim it is a vice, something that is addictive, something that is beyond our ability to have self control over our use of this social media.  Similar to how we have little self control over other addicting things, like gossip, or caffeine, or our right to be “righteously indignant”.
Okay, so I am probably addicted to FB, but that is not something a forty day abstinence is going to fix.  (I wonder if all those taking such a pledge know that Sundays are not part of lent.)

I have a possible second challenge/discipline for you, one based off of the above passage from St. Matthew’s gospel.

Each day of Lent, seek out someone who is spiritually ill or challenged.  Someone who needs to know Jesus is present, that “the Lord is with you”.  Each day try to minister to one person – even if it is just to invite them to a Lenten service and dinner.  Sacrifice your time, your pride, your comfort levels, and minister to those who know they are sinners.   First,  this would totally be in line in with the above scripture.  Second, it would make a change in people’s lives that doesn’t just revert to normal on Easter Monday.

40 days – 40 people….

and remember, the Lord who will be with those you minister too, that Lord is with you as well!