Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The last Sunday of Epiphany is always Transfiguration. How appropriate that we end the season celebrating the Light of the World, with the feast when the disciples literally see Jesus the Light, blazing forth in all his divine glory!
Then, a few days later, we come to Ash Wednesday, when we don’t see glory, we see mortality. We aren’t shining with the bright light of Christ, we are shadowed and veiled by the ashes we wear on our foreheads. Some people think they symbolize our sinfulness, but this year at least, I see them as a reminder of change. Our mortality must be set aside, as Jesus set his aside, for us to become full of divine light, free from imperfection
Following Ash Wednesday, we enter the season of Lent. Again, very often, people interpret Lent as the time to investigate the ways in which we fall short of God’s expectations for us. A time when we explore our sinfulness and undertake acts of penitence, such as fasting and giving up pleasures and luxuries. In that, we remember the 40 days and 40 nights that Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness.
Lent becomes a solemn and even gloomy time when we focus primarily on our sins. Certainly, that’s part of it. But hardly the whole of this blessed church season. The word LENT, comes from the Old English word LENCTEN, which means “spring” and also “long”—likely referring to the lengthening days. After a bitterly cold and dark winter, the coming of spring is not at all a reason for gloom or depression. It’s a time of awakening, a time when we begin to prepare for new growth.
There is a direct connection to Transfiguration. We work to leave behind everything that holds us back and prevents us from growing closer to God. As we rake off old, dead leaves and branches, we can find the tiny green shoots of new growth. So, as we identify and set aside stubborn sinful ways, we make room for the light of the Spirit to shine on us and encourage the greening of our spirits.
Lent is the exciting time of cleaning out the old habits and acts to make room for the brilliant light and joy of Easter. It’s a time when we, too, begin to experience a bit of the Transfiguration God intends in our own souls. Get ready for 40 days of growth, as natural light slowly increases, and as the Light of Christ can also increase in us, when we make room and time for it.
Praying daily with you, for our nation, our new diocese, our parishes, and the world,
Mo. Laura
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COMING UP!
- February 18: Ash Wednesday, 12:00 (zoom), 2:00-5:00 “Ashes to Go” at church (call first
to set time), 7:00 Ash Wednesday service, music, imposition of ashes, Eucharist at church - February 22: Annual Meeting
- February 23: Lenten Bible Study begins, 7:00 p.m. via zoom
- Wednesdays, noonday prayer via zoom at 12:00
- Wednesday evenings, yoga class at 6:00 (discount for St. M members)
- Saturdays, Iglesia Luz de Esperanza, 9:00-3:00