Forgetfulness (#9)

Sometimes our forgetfulness results in publish embarrassment. During the evening Ash Wednesday prayer at communion I forgot what I was saying and flubbed the Words of Institution over the wine. It was puzzling more than embarrassing. How many times had I said that prayer aloud? I had just said it at the noon service. Knowing that Jesus, whose body and blood I was talking about at the moment, would forgive me, I simply paused and tried to start again. I worried about the folks in the pews, though. For some it would be their confirmation that the Interim Pastor is a nutcase. Others might have wondered if the blessing “really counted” for this communion. (Since Christ invites and shows up for the meal, I’m sure the wording was not an issue.) I’m not sure what happened during that prayer, but no real harm was done. There are times though, when my forgetfulness about what I’m doing or supposed to be doing as a Christian can get me into trouble, making me even less likely to reflect Christ’s light to the world (or myself). Folks who have not taken a Social Psychology class tend to think that attitudes strongly inform behavior. The research data suggests that attitudes have limited impact on our behaviors. Part of the problem is that we may not be thinking about our attitudes or values or behavioral intentions at the time when we’re acting. Remembering who we are and what we are about takes time and energy. Lent is a time to rehearse and review how we are called into service at baptism.