Thursday, February 7, 2013

Surrender and live

A message from the rector, from the Jan-Mar Crosswords newsletter.

Lent comes early this year - Ash Wednesday is Feb 13! The season of Lent affords us the opportunity to do what we really need to do all of the time, but rarely take time to do at all: practice surrender so that God can work a new thing in us .

Lent is the time we choose to let go and trust God. It’s always a good thing when we let God grow and mature us, but for some reason, we tend to resist. During Lent, we choose to relent, to release, to surrender.

As we enter the season of Lent it’s important to remember that the word “Lent” means “spring,” and it refers to a ‘season’ when new life is being formed in us by our Creator. By practicing Lent, we prepare ourselves to live the truth of our Christian narrative.

The Christian celebration of Holy Eucharist was born at the Passover supper Jesus shared with his disciples. So was our way of doing ministry. We remember and relive that on Maundy Thursday by sharing an Agape supper followed by a Eucharist with foot washing.

Jesus was arrested the night of this first Eucharist and led away to trial where he was stripped and beaten. We strip our altar at the end of our Maundy Thursday service and commit to wait through the Triduum in faith.

We walk the Via Dolorosa on Good Friday, retracing Jesus’ steps to Calvary through the Stations of the Cross.

On Holy Saturday, we wait as our Savior lay dead in the tomb. The emptiness seems nearly overwhelming, but hours later, at the Great Vigil, we light a new fire and welcome the truth that in Jesus, death is the gateway to new life, eternal life!

Easter Sunday begins our celebration of new life, resurrection life, abundant life. Let the journey begin!

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