Mind Blowing Lent

Some of us have been ashed. Lent has begun with this sign of our mortality and repentance visible. A sign of our willingness to walk the way of humility and have our minds blown by God’s shalom.

In my reading for this Sunday, I came across this by Karoline Lewis from Working Preacher. “In the past, I have called into question the notion of giving up something for Lent and instead, invited a decision on something to embrace. Not something “to do” but something “to be.” Something that gives you joy, that nurtures you. It’s okay to have joy during Lent. It’s okay to think about how you will take care of yourself during Lent. It’s okay to imagine a Lent that does not have to have as its primary mood that of sacrifice. Your starting point for Lent matters. You can suffer through Lent. Or, you can choose to move through Lent from a place of wonder and gratitude: wondering where God might show up, what God might reveal in this dormant time, this time set aside so as to anticipate life, a time that looks forward to glimpses of new creation. Gratitude for the certainty of the resurrection when much of life seems devoid of its truth. Too much of our lives rest in anticipation of a future life with God, rather than living life in the here and now, and in the assurance of God’s presence.” (https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/choose-your-lent)

The gospel reading for the first Sunday in Lent is always Jesus being tested in his identity as “son of God.” How did he understand that and how would be live that out? In Lent we are invited to do the same, to reflect on who we are as beloved children of God. This Sunday is also our AGM, a chance to give thanks for the last year and the way the Spirit has offered life through this parish.

All this is happening after a tough couple of years. We are still in uncertain territory. The war in the Ukraine adds another layer of uncertainty. As does climate change. It is a lot to carry. So, this lent I invite you to live in wonder and gratitude of the ways God is showing up, and to let go of some of those things that might distract you from that. And that might include some of the things we feel we ought to do for Lent. May we find ways to embrace life for ourselves, and for our parish and wider community.