Forty days and forty nights.
That’s how long Moses communed with God as he was receiving the words for the tablets.
That’s when the Ten Commandments were given as the beginning of the ‘Law’ for those who fled from Egypt.
Moses returned to the presence of God for another forty days after he threw the first set of tablets to the ground.
God’s people were so far removed from worship and understanding of the ‘Presence’ that they sinned against God at the same time Moses was in the midst of God’s glory.
God’s people spent the previous 450 years while in Egypt without worship, without sin offering, with only a small remnant who were taught the stories of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Throughout Hebrew history, forty years and forty days have remained significant in the lives of God’s people.
Other numbers are also very important but today we focus on Forty.
Centuries later, God fulfilled the many prophecies of the Old Covenant through the New Covenant, Jesus Christ.
We celebrate Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection and ascension of God’s only begotten Son through designated periods of time each year.
At the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, before he picked any of his disciples, the Spirit drew Jesus into the desert for forty days to commune with his Father.
This was a time of testing but it was also a time to fortify Jesus for three years of non-stop ministry.
In the same way, when we walk through a meditative period called Lent, we also take forty days to separate ourselves from certain indulgences that may hinder our communication with the Lord.
This is a time to empty ourselves, and gain more wisdom for our own journey with Christ Jesus.
We use the forty days of Lent to walk to the Cross with Jesus, a time we are called to “be crucified with Christ . . .to let go of our own will and gain greater understanding of God’s will for ourselves.
Forty days of contemplation, meditation, study and worship mingled with our daily schedules and obligations.
Some habits are set aside while others are enhanced.
Although we walk to the Cross with Jesus in mind and spirit, we comprehend very little if we have not walked through the Triduum, the last three days of Jesus’ life.
Maundy Thursday was the last time Jesus gathered with his chosen twelve.
Jesus “mandated” that they [and we] love one another as Christ loved them [and us].
The next day, Friday, Jesus’ disciples would learn what this means.
Jesus was crucified, taking all our sin upon himself, so that we who believe would never feel the sting of death.
The next day, Saturday, we empty ourselves out so that we feel the emptiness Jesus’ followers felt when they thought he was gone forever.
Little did Jesus’ disciples know that Jesus’ death would give them [and us] life forever.
Little did his followers know they would see Jesus again.
Much to their surprise, on the day we call Easter [which means Spring] Jesus would be raised from the dead.
Little did anyone know that Jesus would wander among those who were bereft when he died.
Little did they know that Jesus would spend the next forty days personally connecting with each person or group of people to help them remember all the promises given to them over the past three years.
Jesus lingered with his followers for forty days as he encouraged them to Go, Tell others, and keep the words of good news flourishing throughout the world.
It’s good news to know that Jesus is alive and well.
It’s good news to know that God’s love and grace are right in front of us for the taking.
It’s good news to know that I can live eternally if I choose to believe what God has done for me through His Son.
It’s good news to know that all I have to say daily is “yes.”
“Yes” Lord.
“Yes” I will follow Your precepts.
“Yes” I will follow Your will for me.
“Yes” I will come to you and ask and seek and keep asking and seeking until I understand that You are my life-line.
You, Lord, are with me more than forty days .
You, Lord, are with me for the rest of my life on this earth.
You, Lord, are with me for ever.
You have a place for me when I am done with my physical body.
With the Holy Spirit, planted in us at baptism, I we can linger with You forty days, forty years, forty million moments, for ever!
With the Holy Spirit, You will never leave us nor forsake us because Your Spirit, planted within us who say ‘yes’ to You, is for ever.
You have promised to be with us always as we promise to be open to your presence.
For ever, eternally.
Forty days?
It means for ever!
