Ruminations from the Rector – Lent 2009
In the early days of the Church, Lent was the last six weeks of a three-year preparation for adults to become members of the Church community. This three-year period of time was called the Catechuminate. It was a time of prayer, study, service and developing relationships with the community of the Way, as they were called then. The involvement demanded a commitment to a new way of life that emphasized service in love, joy and peace. It involved a transformation of thought, word and action. The last six weeks of this three-year period was an intensification of these years of instruction and involvement, with the people meeting together every day. It culminated with a week-long retreat during Holy Week, the Easter Vigil at Easter Eve with Baptism by immersion, and first Communion for the Initiates. Wow, what a difference a couple millennia make.
For us Lent seems to be just another season in the Church calendar where the liturgical colors change to purple, we do a little different liturgy, some kind of Lenten teaching series is offered by the clergy for whoever wants to show up, we add an extra mid-week service, a few extra Holy Week services, and have a grand party of Celebration at Easter, and nothing much changes in our lives.
I wonder what we’re missing and what the mission might be if we stepped more fully into the retreat that Lent offers. I wonder how I might make this season more transformative for me and others who want something new and different for their lives. I wonder what a six-week retreat from the habitual patterns in my life might look like and what I would let go of to let come, to create newness of Life. I wonder what God might be calling me and you into for a more divinely human community to unfold in our midst.
I wonder what Christ would do; maybe just go on a walkabout that would take him into new relationships and greater healing opportunities.
I sense that there is Wisdom in this Uncertainty. If you’d like to explore it with me and others, I invite you to participate in the Lenten series that I am offering. We will be DISCOVERING the WISDOM in UNCERTAINTY. It will start with a Mass at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel, followed by a Soup Social at 7:00 p.m., with the class starting at 7:30 p.m. in Bowen Hall. There will be short presentations, exercises, journaling, discussion, guided meditations and homework. We will meet the six Wednesdays in Lent from March 4 through April 8. Contact Arlene in the church office to register. May your path be enlightened and inspired by the Grace of God’s embrace; and remember: ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
In Loving Service,
Fr. Rick Meyers+
Rector – Christ’s Episcopal Church
