WEEKLY REFLECTION | Reflections on The Season of LENT, February 17, 2021

My dearest family and friends of St. Margaret’s,

Greetings in Christ to each of you.  

I wish you a good and happy Lent.  Yes, happy, in that we are assured that the resurrection will be near in our liturgical life.  However, I am sad to report that we will not yet be open to in-person worship during Lent, Holy Week or Easter this year because of the crisis of Covid. We are, however, able to continue with the taping of services and it is my fervent prayer that these services are a strength and comfort to you. 

There will be a day when we see the pandemic in the rear-view-mirror; however, that time, of course has not yet come. But, if we keep our eyes focused on God in Christ, and the present and future church – of being able to gather again in person at the Lord’s Table, we will continue and grow as a faith community at St. Margaret’s.  

Having said this, I know in my heart-of-hearts that you are grieving not being able to be in church to receive the sacred ashes this year.  I believe we have all been grieving since the pandemic began, of not being able to gather together – somehow, especially on such holy days.  I am in awe of the Ash Wednesday liturgy and the earthiness of the ashes.  

I recently became aware of a very moving quote from the popular actor, Martin Sheen on the NPR program “On Being”.  He reflects on the power of waiting in line to receive the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday:  He states:

 “How can we understand these great mysteries of the church? I don’t have a clue. I just stand in line and say Here I am, I’m with them, the community of faith. This explains the mystery, all the love. Sometimes I’m just overwhelmed, just watching people in line. It’s the most profound thing. You just surrender yourself to it.”

Though we are not able to gather together this year, I invite you to think of ways you may honor this day.  Go outside and pick up some dirt in your garden – hold it in your hands – know that it is holy ground. And that though we are not physically with our faith community, we are bound together forever in the power of the Spirit.  

Let us keep this verse from Psalm 103 from the Ash Wednesday liturgy close in our hearts:
     8    The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, *
     slow to anger and of great kindness.

Be well, look out for your neighbor, keep a Holy Lent, be smart, stay focused on Our Lord. 

Jane+


Psalm 51    Miserere mei, Deus

  1     Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
                                      loving-kindness; *
           in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

  2     Wash me through and through from my wickedness *
           and cleanse me from my sin.

  3     For I know my transgressions, *
           and my sin is ever before me.

  4     Against you only have I sinned *
           and done what is evil in your sight.

  5     And so you are justified when you speak *
           and upright in your judgment

  6     Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *
           a sinner from my mother’s womb.

  7     For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *
           and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

  8     Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *
           wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.

  9     Make me hear of joy and gladness, *
           that the body you have broken may rejoice.

10     Hide your face from my sins *
           and blot out all my iniquities.

11     Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
           and renew a right spirit within me.

12     Cast me not away from your presence *
           and take not your holy Spirit from me.

13     Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.


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