Vicar’s Brief – Lent 2023
All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.
St. Francis of Assisi
As I write this, we are in the cold of February, ending the weeks of Epiphany, and getting ready to welcome to the season of Lent.
I love that Lent comes to us just as we are beginning to enjoy more light in our days- as spring is coming! The days are lengthening (old English for lengthen is Lent, hence the name for this season), signs of life after winter are beginning to pop up everywhere- birds returning and preparing to nest; sprouting of dormant plants, budding of trees, and rain replaces snow for the moisture needed for all this growth. Ahhhh!
So you might think it’s time to rejoice – and it is – but we do it in conjunction with a deep look at another part of life- the inward spiritual life that fully includes both light and darkness, joy and sorrow, hope and loss, doubt and confidence, bringing forth the fruit of faith and hope. Yes, all of that is included in the Lenten journey that begins on Ash Wednesday with the reminder, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you will return”, and concludes with the great celebration of Easter, Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
In between Ash Wednesday and Easter, our Sunday lessons will remind us that wherever we are- be it on top of the mountain or in the valley of the shadow of death, at the cross and in the hospital, in hope or joy or despair… or anywhere we can be… we need not fear, for God is with us. Jesus has walked this way with us- and has shown us and taught us to walk the Way of Love. And in walking this way of love, has shown us that though it may be very hard, nevertheless it is the way of life. It is, in fact, the way of life that overcomes death and all the darkness we face. He bids us to open our hearts and eyes and see that He walks with us still- loving us, and reminding us that no darkness… not all the darkness in the world!… can overcome the light that he has brought and continues to shine.
Barbara Brown Taylor has written an inspiring book that can help in our journeys in darkness… it is called Learning to Walk in the Dark. If you have not yet read it, it would be a good companion in Lent, as we go into the wilderness, sometimes walking in, and sometimes peering into, the darkness. Taylor helps us to hold onto the promise that through the 40 days of Lent, we will not only not be alone, but we will be learning to see in the dark… learning to walk in the dark… learning to sit in the dark and to even there behold God beholding us… in love.
This Lent, we will also have a time to listen to New Testament teacher A. J. Levine share insights and information about Jesus’ time on earth, and some of the Signs and Wonders he did to bring light and encouragement, as he taught of God’s loving kindness and care for all. In the special, holy time of Lent, I encourage you to include a time of special devotion or practice, and particularly a time of prayer and contemplation to sit in peace and to- as Mother Teresa put it- behold God as God beholds you. On a warm enough day, there is a bench just west of the patio at St. Philip that is a bit secluded and has a peaceful view of the valley and mountains. It invites you to Perch… Ponder… Pray.
The practice of serving others is a certain way to come closer to God- for, as we serve the least among us, and care for those in need, we are in fact serving Christ. As Jesus told in the story of the sheep and the goats, Mt 25:40, 45– as we do for the least of those among us, we do for Christ. So as we visit the sick, the lonely, the incarcerated, the homeless, and as we care for and help those who are lonely, overwhelmed, suffering addictions, or lost and know nothing about God, as we notice and tend to them we are noticing and tending to Christ Himself… for in truth, that is who they are.
Through Lent, through the easy and good, and the tough and difficult times life, and every moment in between remember that even in darkness, we are not alone… Jesus is with us, walking in light: he says,
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. John 8:12
May Peace and Blessings for a Holy Lent be with you.
Vicar Janet