A Word From Our Pastor
The season of Lent is upon us, a time of preparation for reimagining the gift of Easter. This is a time when some choose to give up something they enjoy or take on a practice thay may feel helpful yet burdensome as a means of exercising self-control. It's a practice intended to mimic Jesus' devotion to following God's will, even when the discerned path was extremely difficult, as in the path to cross.
Lenten practices can also be uplifting, encouraging, and enjoyable while maintaining a devotion to God's call. This year, we will suggest a new Lenten practice each week to open our hearts and minds to the blessings we have received, including God's presence in our lives, by releasing unhelpful attitudes and practices that can get in our way.
We will start in the first week by releasing constant noise and distractions. By giving ourselves at least a few minutes of each day to clear our minds, we will be better positioned to hear God's call on our lives.
In the second week, we will discuss releasing illusions of control. Granted, we have free will and can change the course of our lives at any moment, but there are some things beyond our control. As the theologian Reinhold Neibuhr noted in his famous "Serenity Prayer", we achieve our greatest personal peace when we develop an accurate understanding of what we can change and what we can't.
In the third week, we will focus on releasing harsh self-judgement. As noted at the beginning of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, God is the sole judge of all creation, including ourselves. When we make mistakes, we are told that God grants us grace and acceptance, implying that harsh self-judgement is not part of God's plan for our lives.
In the fourth week, we will discuss letting goo of the myth of self-sufficiency. Despite our best efforts at independence, we fare much better when we recognize our interdependence and build stronger communities.
The fifth week brings a reminder to release silence in the face of injustice. This is a practice that Saint Francis has done well, but there is always more work to do as we develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Finally, in the last week, we will discuss the importance of letting go of the comfort of staying neutral. Taking a stand involves taking a risk, which can be uncomfortable, but it is important to authentically remain true to ur values of love, compassion, and acceptance for all.
I hope and pray that each of us has a transformative Lenten experience that helps us appreciate the gift of Easter in anew and special way. May the revelation of God's presence on Earth in the form of the man known as Jesus of Nazareth renew our spirit and inspire us to love more deeply and broadly.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Mike