A friend recognized that this coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the season of Lent. He asked about the significance and mentioned an interest in why this season has been historically marked in the church. The lesson from the Gospel of Mark 9:1-9 for this Sunday, the Sunday of the Transfiguration, reveals the journey we'll take for the next 50 days - from mountain top to empty tomb, the journey of our God for us. When Peter, James and John's eyes are blessed with the view of the radiant Jesus they have a glimpse of the empty tomb. They see that Jesus stands as one with the Law and the Prophets, with Moses and Elijah as the complete revelation of God. In an all to human moment, the apostles wish to remain - to hold on to the glory, not realizing that glory comes with a price. The voice of God beckons, "This is my Son, listen to Him" as He tells them not to say anything until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. Listen to Jesus. The glory we desire cannot be realized without His cross. The glory of the empty tomb of Jesus cannot be apprehended without the temptation, without reflection, without repentance and without the consequences of our sin -His suffering and death itself- being realized. Next week I'll post more on the specifics of Lenten observances. Suffice it to say that we're beginning the journey once again, the journey to the cross, the journey to the Glory of God in Christ Jesus.
Friday, February 20, 2009
So it begins...
A friend recognized that this coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the season of Lent. He asked about the significance and mentioned an interest in why this season has been historically marked in the church. The lesson from the Gospel of Mark 9:1-9 for this Sunday, the Sunday of the Transfiguration, reveals the journey we'll take for the next 50 days - from mountain top to empty tomb, the journey of our God for us. When Peter, James and John's eyes are blessed with the view of the radiant Jesus they have a glimpse of the empty tomb. They see that Jesus stands as one with the Law and the Prophets, with Moses and Elijah as the complete revelation of God. In an all to human moment, the apostles wish to remain - to hold on to the glory, not realizing that glory comes with a price. The voice of God beckons, "This is my Son, listen to Him" as He tells them not to say anything until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. Listen to Jesus. The glory we desire cannot be realized without His cross. The glory of the empty tomb of Jesus cannot be apprehended without the temptation, without reflection, without repentance and without the consequences of our sin -His suffering and death itself- being realized. Next week I'll post more on the specifics of Lenten observances. Suffice it to say that we're beginning the journey once again, the journey to the cross, the journey to the Glory of God in Christ Jesus.
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There is a common phrase we sometimes use: “along for the journey”. It has the feeling that one is tagging along more as a spectator than a participant. As Pastor Dominic mentions, Lent can be considered an annual journey to the cross. How can we redeem this time as a participant and not just as a spectator?
In Mark 9:7 it describes how the voice of God spoke at the transfiguration: "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." God spoke audibly at another important time in Jesus’ life; at his baptism. Jesus went to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. John usually attracted a big crowd from the city. Some were there to be baptized; many were there to just see what was going on. John didn’t have very kind words for them: “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:7-8). We all were participants in Jesus’ original journey from the mount of transfiguration, to the cross, to the empty tomb. If it were not for our sins, Jesus would not have made that journey. When John calls the crowd a brood of vipers, I feel that he is speaking to me without the righteous found in Christ. During Lent, let us participate once again in Jesus’ journey and not be spectators. This time, knowing that our sins are forgiven in Christ, let us bring “fruits worthy of repentance”. Let us be as some in the crowd were when they asked, “What shall we do then?” (Luke 3:10).
“He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” (Eccles 5:20) God is merciful to us in so many ways that we can at times forget the price paid. Let us reflect on our lives “knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4)
I have never celebrated Lent and do not understand it's meaning. I have a problem doing something that is not mentioned in the text and is added inorder to get me to better understand who was Jesus. I assume Mardi Gras is not a part of the celebration? Will be interested in learning more.
When it comes to Lent, I like the reference used by BJH - “He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” (Eccles 5:20) Socrates also said that "an unexamined life is not worth living." Time set aside for self-examination and reflection can be a holy time of tremendous spiritual growth. That being said, Lent is not a Scriptural Feast of the Lord and therefore not a celebration. Lent is simply an observance, based upon the 40 days Jesus spent being tempted in the wilderness - which is, naturally, a connection to Israel's 40 years in the desert. Think of Lent as a retreat - a time of abstinence and fasting to reflect on our relationship with God.
When it comes to observances / methods / means to promote the gospel of Christ that are not described in the Bible, I think that we can rely on God's grace and have the same opinion that Paul had:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
The key is that God encourages us to "become all things to all men that we might by all means save some". As long as the observance / method / mean does not promote another gospel, then I believe God will bless it.
There are many interesting references to the introspection of Jesus, or Jesus being by himself and alone in prayer. (John 6:15, Matthew 26:7, Luke 5:15-17)
The mandated festivals/feasts of the children of Israel mark specific events and occasions, many of which have direct reference to Jesus and His purpose.
Much of what we have in the gospels occurs within the ramp-up to the fulfillment of His ultimate purpose.
So, to reflecting on Lent- My hometown is New Orleans, (as a perspective of the local culture, the education system had public schools, Roman Catholic schools, and a long established Lutheran School system ) The Roman Catholic influence was very traditional and the Mardi Gras tradition is ingrained. How do these two merge?
New Orleans is a place of many faces; The party image that turns into deserted streets in the dawn hours, where raucous places turn quiet, and where the cathedral gardens of solitude are short blocks away from urban places where people go to try and lose their loneliness. The image of the tomb is large. The traditional jazz funeral turns mourning of loss into the joy of transition into the next Life. One thing they know how to do is observe Lent.
For those new to Lent, the “traditional”church year hits major biblical milestones each year with a collection of specific Old/New Testament & Gospel passages on a three year cycle which allows public reading of most Biblical points. (This comes from an era when most were illiterate and these public readings were the only actual scripture most heard.) Lent is the 40 day period where the church reviews the specific events leading up to the crucifixion. Thus by day count, Ash Wednesday is the beginning of this 40 day observance. Traditional Catholics and some others “sacrifice” something of their daily life during this period to help keep the focus. (Meat, sweets, liqueur, parties, ….my sister gives up chocolate) Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) finished off the meat that would not keep 40 days and created an excuse to try and cram in all of the other indulgences that would be missed until Easter in homage to the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord.
In New Orleans, the difference between Mardi Gras at midnight and Ash Wednesday was (is?) striking. Most partying until late Tuesday, and then going to mass or church Wednesday to formally mark Lent with ashes in a cross shape on the forehead. The streets are swept, houses cleaned, and most tourists left wondering what happened.
I personally like to view Lent as a period of personal reflection that honors the beginning of Jesus’ journey to the cross marked by His 40 day fast in the wilderness after His Baptism. Just as the crucifix showing Jesus on the cross dominates many Roman Catholic altars, that image dominates Lent. But, while most other churches prefer to focus on the empty cross reflecting on the Resurrection and our salvation, Lent can still be a period when we take time to reflect inward (as Jesus did in seeking places of solitude), sweep out all of the dirt that can accumulate in our hearts, and remember what the word Sacrifice really means. This prepares us to fully appreciate the joy of Easter.
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