Our Ancient Way

It seems strange to defend observing Lent in the middle of Lent. 

However, I'm wondering if some folks are still unconvinced or uninspired to spend the last couple of weeks before Easter in reflection, contemplation, repentance, and the like. 

Look, I get that a lot is happening around us.  I get that worries, challenges, and probably an existential crisis or two are in our lives.  I've got my own to be sure. 

That is why I believe it's all the more important to resist all of it and tend to our souls.  

There's more at stake here than we realize, and now is not the time to start waffling on adhering to our traditions, practices, and disciplines.  

The great reformer Martin Luther once said, "I pray for an hour each day, unless I am swamped, and then I pray three hours."  I paraphrased the quote a bit, but you get the idea.  

Emerging generations need to experience this, too.  It's incumbent on us to teach them better and help them realize that we actually trust everything we share with them.  

You see, when we enter fully into the sacred season of Lent, we are invited to engage deeply with our Church's ancient rhythms and liturgical seasons. 

I've found the words of author and teacher Brian McClaren to be especially helpful: 

“These special holidays give rise to various liturgical calendars that suggest we should mark our days not only with the cycles of the moon and seasons, but also with occasions to tell our children the stories of our faith community's past so that this past will have a future, and so that our ancient way and its practices will be rediscovered and renewed every year.” 

Lent offers us an extraordinary opportunity to root ourselves in the narratives shaping our faith. Each moment spent in prayer, fasting, or service becomes a thread woven into the larger tapestry of our communal story, echoing across generations. 

Just as we recount the Exodus from Egypt, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:7, “Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up,” we are reminded of the profound responsibility to share these stories, ensuring the richness of our faith endures.

As we navigate the challenges and gifts of this season, let us wholeheartedly embrace the teachings and practices handed down to us. 

Doing so nourishes our spiritual journey and lays a strong foundation for the future. Let Lent be more than a ritual; let it be a catalyst for growth and understanding—a time when we rediscover and renew the ancient ways that guide us towards grace.

In this Lenten journey, I encourage you to immerse yourself fully in these liturgical seasons. Engage with the practices, reflect on the stories, and be present. 

By committing to this path, you enrich your faith and instill a legacy of hope and love that will illuminate the way for future generations. 

Allow this time to remind you of our faith story's beautiful and transformative power, inviting others into its embrace.

May it be so, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, now and forever. Amen.