Pastor Alecia's
ponderings
Pastor’s Ponderings
Lent – A Season of Letting Go
In our church calendar, which is different than our secular calendar, we have finished the season of Epiphany, the season of revealing the light of Christ. And now in these last quiet weeks of winter, before Spring begins, comes the season of Lent; a 40-day season of fasting, prayer and deepening our spiritual life. It’s a fallow time that calls us to step away from our busy schedules and take the time to tend to our own souls and renew our relationship with God. And it’s a time that prepares us for Holy Week and the Joy of Easter.
It always begins with the Gospel of Jesus’ time of temptation in the wilderness with Satan. Jesus himself enters 40 days of fasting and prayer before he begins his public ministry. We too follow His example to take on 40 days of fasting, reflection and prayer.
This Lent features some of my favorite Gospel stories from the Gospel of John. We will hear about Jesus’ encounters with Nicodemus, a woman at a well, a blind man, and Lazarus. Even though they are very different characters, they all have something in their lives that holds them back in their spiritual lives; something that is a roadblock to their relationship to God. Each one finds that there has been something in their life that keeps them from receiving God’s grace. By the end of each story, they find that the thing they held onto can be left behind. It is no longer needed.
From Ash Wednesday until Easter we too are encouraged to reflect on what might be holding us back from a deeper relationship to God. What in our life might be an obstacle in the growth of our spiritual life? In other words, what can we let go of that is no longer needed?
In order to do this, we strive to spend a little time each day to reflect on our lives and our spiritual growth. We do this by taking up some sort of spiritual discipline. It might be reading an inspirational book, (Daily Lent Devotional booklets will be available at the church), meditate on Scripture, pray the Psalms, do volunteer work, keep a daily spiritual journal, and of course fasting and prayer. This year our fasting will focus on letting go of something that hinders our relationship with God.
However you choose to spend these 40 days of Lent is between you and God. I urge you to take advantage of these weeks ahead to tend to your spiritual life. It will be time well spent. There is richness of spiritual growth and depth that is possible in this season of reflection, I invite you to open your heart to the Spirit’s leading and see where this 40 day journey takes you as you encounter Christ along the way. May the grace and blessings of Lent be yours.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Alecia
FAST AND FEAST
Lenten Fasting Suggestions,
from Episcopal Bishop, Arthur Lichtenberg:
Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy
Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.
Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.
Fast from jealousy, and feast on love.
Fast from pride, and feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.
Fast from fear, and feast on faith.
Lent – A Season of Letting Go
In our church calendar, which is different than our secular calendar, we have finished the season of Epiphany, the season of revealing the light of Christ. And now in these last quiet weeks of winter, before Spring begins, comes the season of Lent; a 40-day season of fasting, prayer and deepening our spiritual life. It’s a fallow time that calls us to step away from our busy schedules and take the time to tend to our own souls and renew our relationship with God. And it’s a time that prepares us for Holy Week and the Joy of Easter.
It always begins with the Gospel of Jesus’ time of temptation in the wilderness with Satan. Jesus himself enters 40 days of fasting and prayer before he begins his public ministry. We too follow His example to take on 40 days of fasting, reflection and prayer.
This Lent features some of my favorite Gospel stories from the Gospel of John. We will hear about Jesus’ encounters with Nicodemus, a woman at a well, a blind man, and Lazarus. Even though they are very different characters, they all have something in their lives that holds them back in their spiritual lives; something that is a roadblock to their relationship to God. Each one finds that there has been something in their life that keeps them from receiving God’s grace. By the end of each story, they find that the thing they held onto can be left behind. It is no longer needed.
From Ash Wednesday until Easter we too are encouraged to reflect on what might be holding us back from a deeper relationship to God. What in our life might be an obstacle in the growth of our spiritual life? In other words, what can we let go of that is no longer needed?
In order to do this, we strive to spend a little time each day to reflect on our lives and our spiritual growth. We do this by taking up some sort of spiritual discipline. It might be reading an inspirational book, (Daily Lent Devotional booklets will be available at the church), meditate on Scripture, pray the Psalms, do volunteer work, keep a daily spiritual journal, and of course fasting and prayer. This year our fasting will focus on letting go of something that hinders our relationship with God.
However you choose to spend these 40 days of Lent is between you and God. I urge you to take advantage of these weeks ahead to tend to your spiritual life. It will be time well spent. There is richness of spiritual growth and depth that is possible in this season of reflection, I invite you to open your heart to the Spirit’s leading and see where this 40 day journey takes you as you encounter Christ along the way. May the grace and blessings of Lent be yours.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Alecia
FAST AND FEAST
Lenten Fasting Suggestions,
from Episcopal Bishop, Arthur Lichtenberg:
Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy
Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.
Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.
Fast from jealousy, and feast on love.
Fast from pride, and feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.
Fast from fear, and feast on faith.
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