The days are coming when I will make a new covenant…Jeremiah 31:31

Dear Friends:

When 36,000 feet up, just before the captain has turned off the seat belt sign, the flight attendant gives us the very familiar in flight speech. Basically, in case of an emergency, remember, we’re always to first put on our own oxygen mask. Cabin pressures often will drop in the event of an emergency leaving a passenger not just disoriented and light headed, but weakened to the point he/she will not recognize faces or shapes and eventually, with such a rapid lack of oxygen, he or she will pass out. Consequently, to avoid further catastrophe in the event of an emergency, the flight attendant cautions everyone to first put on their own oxygen mask before reaching to care for another.

Lent is a season of putting on our own oxygen mask first. Jesus calls us as his disciples, to spread the good news of the kingdom of God. He tells us to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, throw out demons, pick up our cross and follow him, love God and love our neighbor as we love ourselves, do good and give expecting nothing in return, give to the poor, feed the hungry, care for the lost, the lonely, the forgotten and the suffering. But, we can’t go out and care for God’s people, and make God’s world known, if we don’t first care for ourselves.

And taking care of ourselves, as Christ’s own, is coming to a deeper, more intentional understanding of who we are as Christ’s. So, we take this season, entitled, “Promise” and go inside of ourselves just a bit. We do some self-examination. Look at our motives. Why do we conduct ourselves the way we do? Do we have a hidden agenda? Do we need to shed some hurt, or anger? Are we doing what we do for the glory of God or to display some piety?

During Lent, we’re called to repentance. We’re called to turn away from those things that occupy our time and space and turn us away from God. Often we can’t repent without first seeking forgiveness to clear the slate. So, following our self-examination, it may be we seek some reconciliation. As you know, in the church, we believe God’s presence is known to us through sacraments. Sacraments are God’s way of making the invisible of God’s love, grace and mercy, visible. The Sacrament of the Reconciliation of a Penitent is an opportunity to come before God, and confess those parts of us that are keeping us from the totality of God’s love. The sacrament is one on one with a priest. You, God and the priest are the only players. Come, confess, receive absolution of your sins, those things that separate us from God, and you’re free to be about God’s kingdom building.

Lent is a season of intentional prayer. Today, one faithful soul mentioned that he just needed to take ten minutes each day and be quiet. Sitting still is a way of listening for God. Listening for God is a form of prayer. What daily ten minutes for listening in prayer with God will you set aside this Lent?

Lent is a season of fasting. Fast from what? The ancient prophet Isaiah suggests that we fast to undo injustice, release the oppressed, feed the hungry and provide sanctuary for the homeless. In other words, fasting according to St. Augustine, chastens us. Fasting doesn’t necessarily refresh. Rather the distress we find in fasting will benefit us because it will afford comfort to others. We fast as we declutter. Pack a bag a day. Bring it here. 40 Bags in 40 Days. Your bags will eventually be weighed and the contents sold or given to those in need. As well, the financial rewards of your fasting will help the hungry and the homeless. Fast from our stuff.

Lent is a season of reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word. Scripture is a living, breathing testament of God’s saving grace in our lives. This Lent, with Seldon, on Sundays in Lent, immediately following worship, we’re reading and mediating on the Gospel of John. These are the same words we’ve read and studied for thousands of years. Because scripture is alive, inhabiting our ever changing lives, we study these sacred words to examine how God is with us in our life now. Where is God in the gospel of John now in this season of your life?

So, this Lent, as God in Christ promises to be revealed to us through our self-examination, fasting, repentance, prayer, and study of scripture, may we take this time to put on our own oxygen mask first, find renewal, and a deepening in our relationship with Christ. Let our going in, and our own self reflection birth in us an Easter strength to take us out into God’s world as we’ve never known possible.

Blessings,

Hillary