Seasons come and seasons go. We are technically in the season of winter on the earth calendar, but the temperatures this month have been a rollercoaster of -20C one day and 15C above just a few days later.
There are seasons of life, sports, politics, school, cultural, and the church has its own set of seasons.
This week we end one season, Epiphany, and start another season, Lent.
If you have been around the church a cycle or two, you will know what the general expectations and traditions are. Maybe this year we can go into the season holding, or embracing, a season of unknowing. What will surface? What will disappear? What will give joy and what will cause tears to flow? What will surprise you? What will stay with you forever?
With those questions in mind, I offer this reflection for you. It is from “Sacred Seasons” by Christine Valters Paintner. I am planning to use two of her other books as part of my upcoming sabbatical.
“The monks knew the wisdom of embracing a season of unknowing, to wrest from their grip the idols of certainty and security…
Taking flight requires courage to ascend into the unfamiliar and unknown.
And it requires a community of kindred souls who affirm the journey isn’t completely crazy and there is more awaiting us beyond the borders of our narrow expectations.”
Blessings, Kathi
