Lent is the season of the church year when we prepare for Easter (which is THE big feast of the year -- forget the bunnies and jelly beans: at Easter, Jesus' friends realized that he was still present to them beyond death, triumphant over death, and that realization changed their lives. If we truly got it, that realization would change our lives as well.)
So as the fellowship of the followers of the Risen Christ grew, Easter became the time to baptize new members. It was also the time to reconcile with those who had sinned notoriously and wanted to return to the church. As these two groups prayed and fasted and prepared for Easter, others joined them in solidarity, and - lo - we had a lenten time of prayer and fasting.
Any Lenten practice which connects us with God and others is a good Lenten practice.
In my experience, fasting hasn't worked. I remember young adulthood, when we watched the clock on Saturday nights and then lit up cigarettes at midnight, cheerily exclaiming, "Sunday isn't Lent." I also think that I can turn Lent into a New Years' resolution do-over way too easily, or focus on myself too much. (Hey, God, how am I doing?)
So this year, we're suggesting what Archdeacon Deborah called "Just do it!" Can we reach out to others this Lent? Can we offer our time, talents, treasure for others? Can we learn a little more about what God is doing in our neighborhood, and who our neighbors are? Can we lay down old family battle lines and do some forgiving, some asking for forgiveness? Just as our Food Bank has been transformative for St. Agnes' we may find that this kind of reaching out will be transformative for our Lent.
This week:
Tuesday, February 19: 1:00 PM Needlecrafters, Library
Thursday, February 21: 7:30 PM Drupal Website group, at Fairbairn's
Sunday, February 24: 10:00 AM Sunday Eucharist (Communion)
Children's Chapel
11:15 AM Coffee hour and Forum on Partnership
