We approach March with renewed hope as restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are being relaxed or set aside entirely. Perhaps the mild nature of infections attributed to the omicron variant coupled with increasing numbers of adults and children being vaccinated are catalysts for helping us move forward to the endemic phase. Let’s pray that it is only a matter of time before all of us will generally feel comfortable worshipping in person and not much longer until masks are removed and replaced by smiles.
A smile is rarely the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the penitential season of Lent. Few get excited about being asked to show restraint, curb appetites, and take up disciplines. This may just come down to our perspective, whether we embrace the season as an opportunity to grow, reflect and prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday.
When we gather for worship on Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, the invitation to observe a holy Lent will be extended asking us to look at our lives: our mortality, sin, and need for repentance before moving forward and experiencing the mercy and forgiveness of God. If we truly deal with those things that keep us from being able to discern God’s will, then we will be able to follow the path that takes us through suffering and grants us newness of life.
Looking ahead to Lent has helped me think about removing the clutter from my life, the mental and physical objects that keep me from gaining clarity, and functioning optimally. (I recently have even started to put thought to action and move forward feeling a sense of accomplishment as some sense of order is gradually returning to my office and other areas of my life.) This certainly is paying dividends mentally and spiritually as space has been created that will enable me to discern the way forward.
Still, during Lent we need guidance to help us follow Jesus on the way to Jerusalem. A Lenten devotional, Making a Road: Walking through Lent, that contains six weeks of reflection and prayers written by Terri Ott, editor of the Presbyterian Outlook, has been made available for your use. These devotions are based on the Spanish poet Antonio Machado’s poem, “Walker.” Machado writes: “Walker, there is no road, the road is made by walking.” Ott says, “Machado’s poem resonates because it feels as if there is no road in front of us.” She suggests that whenever and however we walk forward as we emerge from the pandemic phase we will be blazing a new trail if we want to follow Christ this Lent. Let us walk in the light of the Lord as we journey together on the road and path that Jesus trod for us and our salvation.
Faithfully,
John