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| LENT - 2010 |
| Every year, we Christians are challenged to enter this wonderful yet stark, enriching but austere spiritual season we called "Lent." We are invited "..to the observance of a Holy Lent, by self-examination and repentence; by prayer, fasting and self denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word." (B.C.P., p. 265) I recall being given the opinion that the term "Lent" MAY somehow be related to an older form of the word "lengthen." If this be true, the depth of meaning becomes rather obvious. We all come up "short" in our living out the commitments of our Baptism. It's a quirky metaphor, but I think you understand. We get so caught up in going to work, trying to live with our spouses, paying (avoiding) bills or a job hunting because we have lost ours due to the economic climate. Sometimes it takes all the effort I can muster to face those with whom I live and then face the next snowstorm into which I slosh.. I don't need extra sermons. "Church" or "religion" (which isn't exactly FAITH) is sometimes a convenience, often a place to go when and if I feel like it, and at most, it means a group of folks whom I expect to act a certain way towards me. Of course "I believe in God", when I need to or when I want to. But to "continue in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers," this takes effort. This requires taking a spiritual journey through life really seriously. In these shaddow months of February and March when so many of us just seem tired, discouraged, hurt or confused, maybe it is time to remind ourselves that it is the living risen Jesus who has invited us into this Lenten journey. He is the person who continues to call us to return to an honest relationship with him. He is the one into whose death and resurrection we have been baptised. (as St. Paul told those Christians in Rome). He has made a commitment to us, and redemption is that "first payment" of this commitment. Restoring all creation and giving this to the Father will be that final (what is called "eschatological") victory. So we trudge on. We, baptised in Christ's name and to whom we belong in HIS body, are given this yearly opportunity to look at our own shortcomings, failures, bad decisions, hurtful choices and outright sinful lives. And we are invited time and again: return to the one who has never turned from us. Yes, daily life is important. But life eternal is even more important. You can pretend that the supernatural isn't real or important, but, honestly, each of us will face the results of our life decisions one day. Each one of us, one day, will know what it means to have lived out the consequences of our Baptism, or not! Lent is time for honesty and self relection. It is never easy. No wonder it is never a popular liturgical or personal season! But is is THAT important. |