Happy(!) Lent

Think back to when you were a child, what were you taught about Lent? What feelings did Lent evoke in you?

How has your understanding of Lent changed, if at all? What feelings do you have about this liturgical season now? 

If Lent had negative connotations - we invite you to leave them behind this day and embark on a new journey.

What if we come to view Lent as a season of gardening and growth - as seeds themselves?

For anyone who has gardened, we know that preparing the soil, planting the seeds, fertilizing and watering the seeds, weeding and pruning and then protecting the seedlings from harm (with animals or challenging weather conditions) are all important. St. Paul writes about the fruits of the Spirit - meaning, when we spend time in the Spirit, we bear fruit - fruit like love, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness…..

What if Lent provides us the time and space and action to grow spiritual fruit? And sunflowers - in Italian - they are called “gira sole” - which literally means “turn to the sun” - because that is what they do. Sunflowers turn to the sun. What if we were like sunflowers and continuously turned our faces and spirits to the Creator of the Sun and the Son Himself?  

May this image, entitled "Easter Seedling" created by Julie Lonneman be an inspiration for our Lenten journey!

Lenten Hope: A Prayer Poem

growth after tending

new life after death

courage after denial

wholeness after brokenness

leadership after ostracization

liberation after containment

love after rules

movement after stagnation

sweet syrup after the thaw

new blossoms after bare branches

luscious spiritual fruit after a season of tending

What will we cultivate oh Spirit?

lead me. guide me.

give me the willingness and ability

courage and creativity

steadfastness and perseverance

hope with joy

to tend my spiritual garden this season

with my eyes gazing into Jesus’

knowing how to emulate

His way of LovingKindness

in communion with our beloved Creator

Amen. Amen. Again I say Amen.

A Lenten Blessing

Be blessed this Lenten season

with hope and trust

with fasting that creates space to hear the small voice

and a commitment to spending more time with the Divine

Be blessed this Lenten season

with keeping your eyes gazing into Jesus’

knowing how to emulate

His way of LovingKindness

in communion with our beloved Creator

Be blessed this Lenten season

with courage and creativity

with steadfastness and perseverance

as you tend your spiritual garden

and may you enjoy the process

Be blessed this Lenten season

with all that nourishes your spiritual seeds

with an anam chara, soul friend

with a God-squad of prayer warriors

with rituals that water your spirit

with resources that fertilize your soul

with an ever-expanding circle of love

Be blessed that

as we celebrate the Easter resurrection

and await the Pentecost

you may recognize new growth

and bear luscious spiritual fruit

Be blessed

in the name of The Creator

The Teacher and

The Gardener

Amen.

PS - If you are looking for a spiritual community with which you can grow, check out the BeLoved Community which Rev. AndreaGrace pastors.