Lenten Reflections in the Snow

          Our Winter of Major Proportions is continuing. I'm writing as boston is digging out from its record snowfall, with my muscles a little achy from more local work.

          But there's nothing like a 24-hour snowfall to bring a change of view. The usual rushing around no longer seems so urgent when officials ask us to stay off the roads, if possible. It may mean a little more time spent with those we love most. I don't know about you, but I had thus (unrealistic, I know, feeling that maybe with Washington, D.C. shut down, we were safe, for a time, from the march to war. And folks there, and everywhere, had a fresh occasion to acknowledge the wonder of a power much greater than our.

          In some ways, the time of Lent is meant to be like 40 days plus Sundays of the same quality. A time to slow down. A time to reflect. A time to recall who, and what, matter most to us. A time to pause from the rush, and to think about our relationship with God. A time to consider our Christian vocation, and how we are living it. A time to be honest about how we have failed to be who God intends us to be, and to seek to repent. A time to renew the church's mission. All in preparation for Holy Week, and the celebration of Christ's resurrection, and new life, on Easter Sunday.

          This year, our families, communities, and world seem to need more than ever the gifts of people who really observe Lent, and live out of its meaning. Please think about how you will spend this time, this year.

          One way you are warmly invited to do this is through our annual Lenten Wednesday Soup and Soul nights. This year, the "soul" part will follow the traditions of "Prayer at the Close of the Day", a quiet time of prayer, song, scripture and silence.

          No, I'm not going to be hoping for more big snowstorms to come during Lent! But that we carry some of the learnings of our "snow days" into this season.

Peace,

Rod