March 2004

Issue 173

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry." (Matthew 4:1-2)

“We want to see Jesus.” (John 12:21)

(Lord) You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal (Easter) feast;
that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments,
they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you.

(Eucharistic preface for Lent, BCP p. 379)

 

Dear Friends,

             On February 25 (Ash Wednesday), we began the season of Lent, a time of preparation for the great celebration of Easter and Christ’s victory over death.  Lent is NOT a time for guilt, gloom, mourning and trying to feel morose.  Quite the contrary, we are looking towards a great joy.  However, just as when you prepare for a party or celebration you clean house and put things in order, so also in Lent we prepare spiritually, reaffirming priorities and remembering how Jesus (and we) face sin and struggle and death on the way to the Cross and Resurrection. 

             One often associates Lent with giving up something you like, perhaps as penance.  Giving up something may be helpful, but not as punishment.  Rather, consider either giving up some good thing, or taking on some discipline, in order to focus your attention on God and getting your spiritual life in better order.  Some possible disciplines to take on include a devotional reading or chapter of Scripture or intentional prayer time in your daily routine, attending a special class or other opportunity for spiritual growth, and acts of mercy such as reaching out to the lonely, feeding the homeless, or seeking out other needs in our community.  (You might try tithing or making a special offering for God’s ministry on a regular basis during Lent, as a spiritual discipline or act of letting go.)  In all these Lenten disciplines, the focus is on spiritual renewal and refreshment.

             Here at St. Philip’s, our worship will forego flowers and singing or saying “Alleluia”, and we will replace our “Hymn of Praise” with a beautiful “Lord have mercy” chant (Hymnal #S-91), all in order to set this season apart as intentional preparation.  We will offer a Noon worship service every Wednesday for those who can attend, beginning with Ash Wednesday services.  (Wednesday evenings will have an Ash Wednesday service or the Compline and Centering prayer service every week at 7pm).  Bible Studies continue on Sundays at 9am, Mondays at 11am (Oak Tree Villa), Wednesdays at 9:30am (Ecumenical women’s study), and on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm (“Vicar’s Lenten Study”).

             Dear friends, the Holy Spirit is already moving in our hearts, if only with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8).  Jesus’ journey towards the Cross is a lens through which we can see and sense God’s will and love for us.  “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent ...” (BCP p. 265)  Great joy awaits!

Yours in Christ,
Martin