Lent has begun.  The season of reflection, examination, repentance, preparation.  We observe Lent (the 40 days before Easter—not counting Sundays) as a way to remember and honor the suffering and sacrifice of Christ.  We also see it as a call for those of us who follow Jesus to look into our hearts and still ourselves for the completion of our God-given task.  There was a recent report that Sweden is re-instituting conscription.  Seems they are concerned about the goings-on around them.  While the stock market continues its extraordinary rise, the rolls of the poor are not being culled in the same proportion.  In a culture desperate for a sense of unity, conspirators against it (that would be us) abound.  It seems that Paul’s projection of a time when people would “. . .  gather around themselves a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” has come.  What all this suggests to me is that the world—our world is one which needs the Christian message of hope, peace, and love.  It needs this message as much as it ever has.  Who will deliver this message?  That’s maybe the most troubling part of all.  Because, that messenger is me and (I hope) you.  The delivery of this message of love and grace is a mission appointed to those who follow Christ.  Is there anyone else to deliver it?  During this season of lent, I pray that my eyes and heart will be attentive to opportunities share this message.  And not only attentive, it can be a message difficult to receive, but also bold enough actually to deliver it.  Maybe we could do this together?