Disciples, Apostles, and Saints!
Next week kicks off the season of Lent: a time of fasting and penitence. Sometimes it seems like we treat it as a time of solemn moping or sacrificial rigidity. The most famous aspect of the season in common culture is that some people don’t eat meat or that Catholics often go to a fish fry. Obviously the season is more than that.
The primary character of the season is to be a season of reflection. Since earliest days, it was a time of instruction and preparation for newcomers to the faith and for the community to learn how to reconcile with those who have caused pain. So to get us to that reflection, we sacrifice some of our pleasure as a means of opening our hearts. Think: it is less about willpower and more about openness to difficult ideas.
Our practice of the season begins this year on March 2 with Ash Wednesday. We will have two services that day: Noon and 6 pm. We will also be on campus with United Campus Ministries offering Ashes-to-Go.
You may also join in personal devotions – which come in both serious and light-hearted forms. Our local favorite is “Lent Madness”: a bracket-based opportunity to engage with historic saints of the church.
Lastly, we’ll be offering a hybrid opportunity to engage with the book We Shall Be Changed: Questions for the Post-Pandemic Church.
May this coming season be a time of holy reflection and renewed life.
With love,
Drew