“Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, says the Lord God, and not rather that they should turn from their ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23)
As I write, it is just a few days until we turn from the glorious highs of Transfiguration Sunday to go down into the liturgical valley of Lent. During Lent, many of our readings sound quite stark if not frightening. “Turn back! Repent!” shout God’s many prophets. Reminders of death, doubt and darkness seem everywhere. Our furnishings, dress and colors, especially the ashes of Ash Wednesday, remind us of our fragility and (too often) our failures.
Yet, I recall with joy the words attributed to Teresa of Avila, “From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.” We don’t need to make a show of our sorrow and weakness. We don’t have to beat ourselves up, run away, or hide in fear. Instead, we can rejoice in Christian community, a place where we can be accepted as we are. There, we hear words of love, forgiveness and hope from other people who also struggle and yet speak for Jesus. “You are welcome here!”
In this season, we can indeed challenge ourselves to do better, listen more attentively, seek and serve the Jesus in others we meet with more heart. Yet, we offer this love not to gain ground toward heaven, but instead, to experience a taste of the love which has already reached down into the valley for us.
Yes, Lent can appropriately be called a holy if not solemn time. Yet solemnity need not mean rigidity and coldness. Although tears might flow, we need not get stuck in them. Lent can be a time of open hearts and deep sincerity. It serves as a liturgical call for us to turn back and take notice; to be refreshed and renewed.
In turning back, we might better see Jesus at work around us and in us. We won’t ever be perfect in this life, but Jesus uses this time in the Church to help remind us of his perfect, gracious love for us. It is meant to serve as a bit of springtime for our lives, as we continue grow as the children of God.
Originally published in the March 2019 newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this article are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.
© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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