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beauty of the wilderness may be fading from our perspectives. The
false sense of Spring outside our window may intensify the journey
into our becoming. The spaciousness offered to us at the onset of
Lent may begin to bore us. The work of becoming is challenging.
Developing an inner life of prayer as Jesus did in the wilderness on
the first Sunday of Lent takes time. We need to build stamina. To
become the Beloved Community requires a change in mind, heart, and
spirit. It demands a ‘letting go.’
I will say this: God is with you in your Lenten journey. And so are
all your friends here at 1PC and me. The work you are doing is hard,
and it is holy. Forty days is a long time. The Holy Spirit is
sustaining us, giving us the strength to trust in that slow but
faithful work of God. She prays for you – always. Your breath,
that’s Her prayer. What you’ve given up or taken on will lead you
deeper into the Community of Love. As we move deeper into the
wilderness, I offer this reminder: Lent is meant to be a time out of
time — a piece of life dedicated to rethinking all of it. Remember,
you are not alone in this journey. We are all here with you,
supporting you every step of the way.
At this point, pause. Set down whatever is burdening you and empty
yourself of all distractions. These questions may help. Ask yourself
right now, who am I? Who am I becoming? Where am I living beyond the
expectations placed upon me? What parts of me might I need to soften
to participate with the Risen Christ in my life? Yes, Lent is a time
to repent, which means ‘to change one’s mind.’ Lent is also a time
to become a garden for the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. To cultivate the soil of our souls requires us to get
our hands dirty. Remember, beloved, Lent underscores the presence of
the Spirit of Jesus, whose crucifixion calls us always to become
more of the best of ourselves, to live forever to the depths of our
True Selves.
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In a few days, we will read the Resurrection Story
from John’s Gospel. We will go with Mary Magdalene into the garden
where the tomb was, and we will experience bewilderment with Mary. I
love this word. A quick search on the etymology of bewilderment will
tell you that it is a relatively ‘new’ word and combines be,
“thoroughly,” and wilder, "lead astray or lure into the wilds." In
the garden, Mary moves through grief and despair, confusion and
elation! She then becomes the first to proclaim the good news that
the tomb is empty, and the Christ is risen!
Bewilderment. Becoming. Are these not the spaces we
move through during Lent?
We are entering the center of the wilderness, moving closer each day
toward the eternity of Spring. The Robins’ murmured tuck and the
Grackles' croaks guide you to the Garden, where the barren desert of
the wilderness is transformed into an oasis of new life. Tulips are
rising from their slumber, Daffodils are pointing the way to the
empty tomb, and Crocuses are carpeting the trail toward your – our –
becoming!
Do you sense it? Can you feel the new thing God is about to do in
you? The Welcome Table is being set – and the host – who says to
you, “Peace be with you” – is preparing our place. The Risen One
will soon lead us in song, and all creation will sing, even at our
tombs, “Halle…”
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