The Christian season of Lent began Wednesday, February 13, with Ash Wednesday. A traditional view of Lent is that it's a time of sacrifice and restriction, a journey to the desert of repentance. Spiritual guide and Catholic priest Edward Hays invites us to experience Lent instead as a time of expansion and growth. It is a journey, yes, and also a time of practicing spiritual disciplines, yes - but not for the purpose of diminishing and flagellating ourselves. Our efforts at things like contemplation, reading sacred texts, worship, prayer, service to others, practicing generosity and hospitality are to positively develop our relationship with God and enhance our connectedness with others. He states:
Lent as a holy season challenges one to aspire to be as Godlike as possible in forgiving and loving. We've all heard how the average person actualizes very little of his or her potential mental powers; the same is true of our spiritual potential. Lent as a holy season challenges one to reach for that potential, to aspire toward the greatness of soul that comes from cultivating virtues like justice, mercy, and love.
Sunday's worship will begin this Lenten effort at cultivating "greatness of soul" with a time of worship and reflection. Our offering will be designated for Our Church's Wider Mission, an offering of the UCC. We will also share a potluck meal.
May this Lenten season be a time of deepening attention to the Sacred and also the ever-widening circle of Love and Compassion.
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