Second Week of Lent
Dear Members of the Parish,
We are in the second week of Lent. Lent literally means "spring." For those of us in New England, we know that our season of spring is often cold and wet and yet we live in hope for those sunny, warmer days when daffodils and tulips will bloom. Our Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Schori, was in Costa Rica at the beginning of Lent. She spoke about the ashes that mark our foreheads:
"We are dust hoping to be worthy of the image of God, and that humans are "made of the same dust that comes ultimately from the stars." She went on to say that "Lent is our opportunity to bless this dust so that it can shine even brighter than the stars like the light of Christ," she said. "Our world needs this light resurrected from dust. "She invited those present to practice a Holy Lent through self-examination and repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, and reading and meditating on Scripture. She likened Lent to spring training in baseball but added "this training is for life."
Training for life. I like that sentiment. Training for life includes all those things our Presiding Bishop mentioned, which come straight from the Book of Common Prayer. Training for life includes taking care of our souls and bodies, so that we can be instruments of God's unchanging love, instruments of justice and peace, instruments of healing and reconciliation.
We are in the second week of Lent. Lent literally means "spring." For those of us in New England, we know that our season of spring is often cold and wet and yet we live in hope for those sunny, warmer days when daffodils and tulips will bloom. Our Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Schori, was in Costa Rica at the beginning of Lent. She spoke about the ashes that mark our foreheads:
"We are dust hoping to be worthy of the image of God, and that humans are "made of the same dust that comes ultimately from the stars." She went on to say that "Lent is our opportunity to bless this dust so that it can shine even brighter than the stars like the light of Christ," she said. "Our world needs this light resurrected from dust. "She invited those present to practice a Holy Lent through self-examination and repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, and reading and meditating on Scripture. She likened Lent to spring training in baseball but added "this training is for life."
Training for life. I like that sentiment. Training for life includes all those things our Presiding Bishop mentioned, which come straight from the Book of Common Prayer. Training for life includes taking care of our souls and bodies, so that we can be instruments of God's unchanging love, instruments of justice and peace, instruments of healing and reconciliation.
Life is not a dress-rehearsal. We have precious little time on this earth and God wants us to make the most of each day, each hour. How will you spend these next several weeks of Lent? If you haven't begun your training yet, there is still time. Look at your day and figure out when you will sit and be quiet, or read a passage from the Bible, take a walk, or do some volunteer work. If you're the type who is always doing for others, take some time to nurture your own soul and re-connect with God, your spouse or partner, or your children or grandchildren.
This is training for life. Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercise are part of that training, too. Many of us were taught growing up, "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit." God expects us to take care of our bodies as well as our souls. It's never too late to begin again. God is the best coach you'll ever have in this world. Reach out to a friend or neighbor and start walking in the morning or take a walk after dinner. Reflect on your day and thank God for the blessings you have been given.
Make the most of the remaining weeks of Lent. Come to church every Sunday. Read, pray and meditate on God's holy scriptures. Take up your cross and follow the one in whom we live and move and have our being.
In gratitude and faith,
Miriam
This is training for life. Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercise are part of that training, too. Many of us were taught growing up, "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit." God expects us to take care of our bodies as well as our souls. It's never too late to begin again. God is the best coach you'll ever have in this world. Reach out to a friend or neighbor and start walking in the morning or take a walk after dinner. Reflect on your day and thank God for the blessings you have been given.
Make the most of the remaining weeks of Lent. Come to church every Sunday. Read, pray and meditate on God's holy scriptures. Take up your cross and follow the one in whom we live and move and have our being.
In gratitude and faith,
Miriam
Labels: Lent
posted by Miriam | 11:57 AM
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