Lenten Reflections 2012
Lent is here again. A time for us to reconnect to the source of life. Whoever we are, we are part of something beyond ourselves- be that family, work, school, community, sports, music, art.
Lent offers us the opportunity to explore our connection to life, both from within, and without- the internal deserts and chasms that keep us from becoming fully who we are- the external bonds and boundaries that act as limits to our expression and care.
For Christians, we move into Lent solemnly, acknowledging our earthiness and mortality- yet we are called to dream of eternity- to seek, act and become God's beloved, compassionate people in the here and now.
For others Lent is a time of renewal- to seek inner and outer healing by connecting to creation. not denying our humanity and world, but affirming our place and experience as part of the cosmic condition.
Lent is the ebb and flow of life itself- gaining and releasing, opening and closing, silence and singing, joy and sorrow- the constant pulse of creation, seeking to restore, renew and carry on the gift of life.
Lent is a time to enter into the wilderness/chaos of our souls - to look deeply into that which most frightens and concerns us, and to open ourselves to the Holy- to guide us, embrace us, comfort and challenge us to encounter all that is within, honor it as part of ourself, and resolve to "clean house" by freeing our very self to heal, to connect, and yes to claim our value, dignity and worth as vessels of grace, hope and love.
In doing so, we open not only our hearts, but our eyes and hands to see the chaos and wilderness of others, and to encounter the holy in all.
When we do this, we create spaces for grace and compassion to take root, to blossom and to grow. We recognize in our own wilderness, the vast wilderness of creation- and we can then celebrate the breadth and depth and length of all creation together.
Whatever your Lenten journey is, or isn't, I hope you take time to embrace the discord and dissonance - and find new rhythms and tempos to carry you forward into that bright new day that opens it's loving arms to embrace you.
another straggler on the journey,
jeanne
if you wish to undertake a more formal approach to Lent, check out this amazing link by Rev. Jan Richardson
Jeanne
