I sat in the tire store today, waiting as the mechanic checked my left rear tire. The left rear tire will not hold air. It's not losing enough air to make me put on the spare. You know that little tire that says, "Not to exceed 55 mph"? I wouldn't have noticed the tire problem if a Good Samaritan hadn't point the problem out to me. I stopped at a stoplight in Lincoln and he motioned for me to roll down my window. As I rolled the window down he said, "Your left rear tire is could use some air."
"Thanks" I said. He was right the tire gage read 25 lbs on a tire that needed 35. My tires are checked every 5,000 miles when they are rotated. Shouldn't a tire hold its air for 5,000 miles?
My Lenten journey isn't something I make alone. Like the Good Samaritan helped me see the need to take some action with my tire our community helps me stay focused on Lent.
Staying focused is often the difficult part of Lent. Focusing on my tire made it clear what action I needed to take. Staying focused during Lent is for me at least one task of Lent. My Lenten practice is not enough in itself.
I need the help and support of the people in our community. The rituals we celebrate and the time we spend together reflecting on Scriptures are the support I need. We come together and we tell our story, we hear the story of Jesus and patch each other's wounds. Our gathering is in part in preparation for going out again ready to live the Gospel as disciples.
As it turns out my tire had a tiny hole. The hole has been repaired and I'm back on the road again. This Sunday, I'll come in for repairs again in preparation for living another week as a disciple.
"If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Ps 95:8)