Thoughts On Lent

From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough

Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, so we have now embarked on our journey through Lent. Some Christians ignore Lent altogether, but I am finding that Lent is becoming more and more important to me as I age.

Last night as I led an Ash Wednesday service, I heard and said these words, "You are from dust and to dust you shall return," I felt them in my bones. No, not as a dire warning, but rather as an encouragement to take more seriously my legacy in this world. I am not talking about money, but rather, my life.  What do I want to do with my life now?
  
Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, MN sends out an ecumenical newsletter  - Thin Places - that I always enjoy reading, partly because it actually comes in the mail. Electronic newsletters serve their purpose, but it is nice to have something I can hold in my hand.

Anyway, the most recent edition (you can get it online as well as on paper) contains a short review of a new collection of some of Henri Nouwen's writings entitled, A Spirituality of Living.  Nouwen(1932-1996)  was a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian.  As I ponder the journey from dust  to dust, I am grateful for this passage from this collection of Nouwen's work: 
"Real freedom to live in this world comes from hearing clearly the truth about who we are, which is that we are beloved. That's what prayer is about ... It is the essential attitude that creates in us the freedom to love other people, not because they are going to love us back but because we are so loved. And out of the abundance of that love, we want to give."​

 Nouwen then goes on to say that knowing we are beloved, we can then begin to see the belovedness of other people. He contends that this is where healing begins, and I believe he is right. In God, no one is not loved. No one. Our task is to reach out to one another, forgive one another, and offer encouragement. This, my friends, is how we can begin to change the world.  Yes, our bodies will eventually return to the earth. Our love , however, will continue if we remember to begin sharing it now.  
 
Blessings on your Lenten journey. 

​Prayer
Holy One, may we always remember that we travel with you. We thank you for the good guides you have given us. Help us to take to heart the teachings of Jesus and his message that your love is for all. May we remember that all creatures, including humanity, are part of your good creation.  May we have the courage to love, even in the face of serious news that seems to tell us that there is little to love.  Yet, even in these times, and maybe especially in these times, we are guided to love.    
 
In gratitude we live, pray, and love,   
Amen
--
Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor
San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
 
www.slzchurch.org 
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com