Lent

Absolution

Today is Shrove Tuesday, a reminder of the absolution freely available to us. 

The palm branches from Palm Sunday last year are burned and what has made it through the burning is brought out on Ash Wednesday to cross our foreheads. And this ushers us into the season of Lent, as we spend the next 40 days with Jesus in the wilderness.

Identification

But let’s back up just a bit first… John was standing in the river (having come out from the wilderness), declaring God’s coming kingdom and calling on people to prepare themselves and embrace a new way of thinking and living. 

Jesus himself answered this call, was recognized by John as the Messiah, and affirmed by the other two persons of the trinity after he broke the surface of the water.

Solitude

Then Jesus withdrew into solitude.

This would become a pattern in Jesus’ ministry either in response to something or preparation for something. The gospel writers record Jesus seeking solitude as a matter of practice. (It’s important to note here that it didn’t always go as planned—sometimes his solitude was interrupted.)

Perhaps you’ve had your fill of isolation and Lent feels like salt on a festering wound. (A saline solution helps promote healing. Are we too averse to discomfort?)

Sacred Space

So as I was thinking about Lent, it occurred to me that it is essentially about creating space—a time to incline your inner life toward embracing the Divine with as much freedom as you’re capable.

(Another thing that’s very important to note here is that the tradition of Lenten observance doesn’t count Sundays in the 40 days; even in dark times, we remember the cycle of resurrection. Sabbath days offer us a weekly rhythm of rest, celebration, and renewal.)

Are you beginning to feel a pull toward how you might create some fresh space in your life? What part of you is in need of a good soaking of God’s love? How might you make yourself more available to that? What could you intentionally cultivate over the next 40 days that could help you to live more freely, more awake and aware? God is right here with you always offering life, love, and acceptance. 

Abundant life

Despite what it may feel like, you’ve already made it through a crazy year! You’re here, aren’t you? That means you made it. With God by your side, you are here, at the edge of an open wilderness and abundant life awaits—not just on the other side, but all the way through.

Go with God, my friends. I wish you peace.