“Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.  And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white….a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.  Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  – Luke 9:28-29, 34-35

Beloved of God,

March is here—a bridge month between winter and spring here in the Northwest.  The cold, snow, and wind we experienced recently has given way to a cluster of warmer days; birdsong is beginning to fill the air, and in the garden, crocus shoots are pushing up from the soil—harbingers of spring. This year, March is also a bridge month with respect to our journey of faith, for it marks the transition from the Season of Light to the Season of Lent. The Season of Light comes to a climax on March 2—Transfiguration Sunday—as Jesus and three companions go mountain climbing and their dazzling encounter on top nearly leaves the disciples speechless.  God speaks and the disciples listen, but still don’t quite catch the drift.   How do you explain mystery?  Words fail.

After this high point, we move into Lent, the springtime of the soul. Entrance into Lent begins with the Ash Wednesday service (March 5 @ 7pm), reminding us of our mortality and deep connection to the Earth, and how our destiny—our dying and rising—is linked to Christ in baptism. Forty days of reflection and meditation begin as we follow Jesus into the wilderness.  There he again ascends to the mountain top.  Only this time it is Satan who accompanies him.  He promises Jesus the world, but Jesus sees through the charade.   How about you and me?  Can we see through the empty promises with which the devil would lure and entice us into empty and dead-end actions, thoughts, and relationships?  Can we RESIST the temptation to “go with the flow” and accept the things taking place in our world which are unacceptable?

Lent is a season for gaining clarity:  clarity about our bond with Christ in baptism; clarity about our lifelong call as Christians to discover God’s will for our lives; clarity about the power which is God’s gift to us through the Holy Spirit to embody Christ’s love in how we love our vulnerable neighbor; clarity about our mission as a community of faithful people who will stand up when justice is being denied and speak truth to power.  As we follow Christ on the wilderness road we find a pace we can sustain.  And we stay close to him.  For the world’s masquerades are many and varied, and we must keep our wits about us if we are to hold our balance in the midst of these challenging times.

How will you enter this “springtime” of the soul?  One of the traditions of Lent is to simplify, to pare down to the bare essentials.  Fasting, prayer, and acts of charity are traditional practices during this season.  Some folks simplify their lives in Lent by choosing one thing to let go of or give up, such as an unhealthy habit.  Others choose to add on to their routine a spiritual discipline or a giving of themselves in some other form.  The options and opportunities for spiritual growth during this “springtime” are endless.  How about you?  How will this season be marked within the rhythm of your life?   Whatever our choices, we can be assured that God’s Spirit accompanies us, within and without, just as Christ promised; coaxing and guiding us toward a deeper dependence upon God and a more just and rich relationship with our neighbors.

May God’s accompaniment bring both joy, peace, and accompaniment to your Lenten journey.

Pastor Erik