The 46-day calendar before Easter has often been referred to by Christians as a Lenten journey. Of course, it is a 40-day period (excluding Sundays) prior to Easter (40 days because Moses, Elijah, and Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days to prepare for various tasks in their ministry). These six weeks of Lent compose a time for contemplation and reflection, a time to re-live Jesus’ teachings and his journey to the cross and resurrection.
The word Lent comes from the Latin word meaning “lengthening of days.” Just as Advent is a period of preparation for Christmas, Lent is a period of preparation for Easter, the highest festival of the Church Year. Since Easter is a moveable feast, always the first Sunday that follows the first full moon after the Springs Equinox (March 21), the Season of Lent takes its cue from this lunar formula, and thus was decided by church leaders at the Council of Nicea in 325 C.E. (This year Lent began with Ash Wednesday on February 17.)
As I write this, I am aware that harbingers of Springtime will soon appear. The seeds for new birth have already been sown, and we celebrate a God who “is doing a new thing” in our faith community and in our world.
It seems to be a good time to revisit our spiritual DNA conversation from last year. Remember?... The genetic code or spiritual identity of the church is proscribed by normative boundaries of values, beliefs, vision and mission, which are the consensus of our faith community. We have described ourselves with values of acceptance, compassion/caring, mission, community, and spirituality. We have also described ourselves with beliefs of faith as journey, One God known in many ways, Jesus is our Way, Prayer/Music, Open Table. Some time soon, I would like to seek a consensus from you on our motivating vision. Are you drawn more to Birthing New Possibilities, with a God of Many Colors? An art graphic of butterflies moving upward beyond their cocoon was suggested. Or, are you drawn to Celebrating a Welcoming & Healing God? An art graphic of a seated woman with outstretched arms and an open lap was offered. Both are good. Now we simply need to claim one or the other as our major focus. More than a choice, the vision must be something that really grabs us and compels us to share our faith with others, even with those we do not know.
That’s our homework for Easter, really our homework in designing a vision of the future for 1st Church. What phrase, what symbol, what work of art reflects who we are and where we are heading?
There is much for which to be already grateful in the evolving life of 1st Church. And I believe it could be that something even better is about to break forth. God’s work of Easter continues to shape us and transform us.
Hallelujah!
Harvey
