Ecclesiastes gives us the familiar refrain: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;"
As we enter the season of Lent, it is important to consider what, of our own habits and patterns, should live and what should die, as well as what should be planted. This season is about more than abandoning the silver and brass that we use in worship, though we will do that, it is about more than removing any distractions or ornamentation, and we will do that also. This is an uncomfortable season that prepares us for the new life that Christ brings to us in the Resurrection - Alleluia!
Ash Wednesday ushers in our season of discomfort; it is a time when we face our own mortality. But we also face our own sameness; as we are marked by the sign of the cross with ash we are reminded that we are all dust and we all will return to dust. My dust is no better or worse than your dust; we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. And that can be both uncomfortable and liberating.
We will also find discomfort in our liturgy. During the season of Lent we will shift from the familiar language found in the 1978 Prayer Book and turn to Rite I, the traditional Elizabethan English that reminds us of the 1928 Prayer Book. The language is beautiful, but also highly male-centric; if you rejoice in the male-centric language perhaps that is something to reflect upon, and if you reject this language be comforted in knowing that God is not confined by the little box we create when we use "he" or "she" in our prayers. The liturgy is also more priest-centric; see how this affects you (it makes me uncomfortable). Paying attention to our pressure points may help us to grow and change.
Even with the draw backs found in the language of Rite I, the poetry and theology is beautiful. Enjoy the depth of these prayers and let them affect your lenten journey.
I am hopeful that you have already begun to map out how you will observe a holy Lent. There is a white-board in the parish hall that has room for your comments; use this as a way to hold yourself accountable (even without signing your name) and use this as a way to support other parishioners with your prayers.
Sign up to receive the daily email from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist and let those video reflections guide you. There is a workbook available either for your device or printed (in my office). We will discuss these reflections on the parish Facebook page as a virtual community, as well as face-to-face on Sundays at 9am.
A deep lenten journey makes Easter that much brighter. Without the journey in Lent and the darkness of Holy Week the celebration of Easter is 'meh', just another Sunday with hats. Experience the season, reflect on what is to be born, to die, to plant, to harvest. Reflect on your life with Christ so that when we say "Alleluia, He is Risen" it is not possible to hold back the tears.