“Ole Saint Peter, can’t you see me coming, hurry up and open the door!” These words from an old spiritual remind us, as the Lenten season does, that we are mortal and we are living just a transitory life here in this place.

The one thing that we do not want to hear at heaven’s gate is old St. Pete saying - - “I Saw You Coming - - And Shut the Door”

Some observations of life on this side make me wonder - -

         Some of us get mad at the preacher and quit giving to the church!

         Some of us get mad at Bob or Linda and quit going to church! We don’t remember why but          we are still mad.

         Someone upset us when we were a teenager and we have not been back since.

         Some of us play pocketbook politics with the church. You don’t do it just the way I want it          done and I won’t give you any more money.

         Someone insulted us 20 years ago, we can’t remember who or why, but we ain’t going back          to that or any church anymore.

Ever wonder how heaven’s keepers would respond to our lame and feeble reasons for not being all that God created us for and wants us to be?

During his earthly ministry Jesus reminded us of what it takes for ole Saint Peter to open wide the gates for each of us - -

'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' and 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

“I was hungry and you gave me food.
    I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.
      I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
        I was naked and you gave me clothing.
          I was sick and you took care of me.
            I was in prison and you visited me.”

God will not want to hear our puny excuses for why we did not serve him!

As Disciples of Jesus Christ we are called above the fray of squabbles and pettiness to live out the words of Jesus to feed, water, clothe and visit.

During this Lenten season, and in every season, may it be so!

A Jim Lane Commentary
March 15, 2006