A week from today is Wednesday of Holy Week, the day that Judas first conspired with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. In the Czech Republic the day is traditionally called Ugly Wednesday, Soot-Sweeping Wednesday or Black Wednesday because of the custom of sweeping chimneys on this day in preparation for Easter.
Lent will end at sundown on Holy Thursday when the Paschal Triduum begins. That means there's only about a week left in Lent. Some of us may realize, this late in the season, that we haven't paid much attention to this holy season and have let most of it pass us by unnoticed.
But it's not too late!
It's never too late to begin Lent. What we said in preparation for Ash Wednesday is valid today as well:
LENT is a season to do some spring-cleaning in the many rooms of our hearts to ready them for celebrating God’s gift of new life at Easter.
LENT is a season to prepare for Easter by: prayer (with the church and by myself); fasting (learning to hunger for God); and almsgiving (caring for the poor)
LENT is a time for getting back to basics: to learn again and to practice how we should live as Christians every day of the year.
LENT is a time for coming home: coming home to the Church community; coming home to prayer; coming home to God.
LENT is spring training for Christians: a time to get in shape, spiritually; a time to strengthen what is weak within us and tone up the strengths we have.
LENT is a time to make the time to begin to really do the things we say we want and hope to do - but just never seem to have the time to get around to...
LENT is a time for getting ready to celebrate EASTER ! Easter is at the heart of our life as Christians and Lent is the way to prepare for Easter joy!
Just starting Lent? Welcome aboard!
-ConcordPastor
Perhaps I just "got on-board" with Lent last evening, but as you suggested, better late than...
ReplyDeleteI finally made it home from work last evening in time to explore a Lenten happening in my neighborhood RC church. Every Tuesday at 7pm they have had Lectio Divina as a preparation for Easter. What a wonderful experience! Now, with daylight savings time, the church had the warm glow of sunset and a few well-placed candles. Very soft meditative music was playing as you entered and sat. At about 7:05the priest softly chimed a Buddhist type bell and the music (recorded) ended. He softly asked us to remember the day and give thanks and then let it go and be in the present. The "format" for the next 45-60 min. was explained. A reader proclaimed a short passage from scripture in very slow, precise language. After that concluded we were asked to reflect upon the reading and say out loud, if we chose to, a word or phrase that had meaning for us. Then a second reader proclaimed the same scripture and again, mediation and comment, this time about imagery. Through to a third reading of the passage and comment about our feelings/thoughts. How interesting what one heard at each successive reading. A very powerful and yet peaceful hour of prayer that was personal yet in community.
I went home and did a bit of research into the history of Lectio Divina and found a site http:www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html that provides a great summary.
I have read that you do an evening prayer at certain liturgical seasons in your parish. I am certain they are wonderful too.
Already planned to clear my calendar to make it to next Tuesday...the last and final one of the Lenten season. Better late than...
What an inspiring post! Thanks for sharing. I'll have to link to this one.
ReplyDeleteFather,
ReplyDeleteI was beginning to feellike the poster boy for starting Lent late. But, you bailed me out with your statement that Lent is a good time to intiate those things one has been intending to do but have not yet done. I've actually done a bit of that these past few weeks so I feel better. -Jim W.
One thing I try to do during Lent is to attend Stations of the Cross. To stand before each Station and reflect on what Jesus did for me is very moving. One of my first memories of church is going with my mother in the afternoon, sitting in a darkened church while she said the Stations of the Cross. In those days churches weren't locked so you could go in any time. It had a very peaceful, quiet quality to it.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that churches are locked these days. I remember as a child getting off the trolley from Harvard Square with my grandmother and stopping in at the church before walking home. It made the minutes special as a child to be with a cherished relative, hand-in-hand, in the hushed, darkness with the tiers of votive candles lit at various alters/statues. She always had rosary beads in her handbag and a couple of linen hankies to serve as headcovers. (Wow, remember those days!) Memories of those minutes of prayer today bring me moments of sanity. The church of my youth is now not only locked but for sale.
ReplyDelete