Lenten Intentions
Dear friends and members of St. Matt’s,
One of the spiritual practices I’ve taken on for the season ahead is listening intently to the world and the stories around me. Like some of you, the news is often too much for me. Like some of you, I find myself weary listening to the brokenness and sadness in the world around us. It feels pervasive. And it’s so easy to look away. It’s so easy to let ourselves be distracted with all the other things we have to do in our own lives, all the people close to us we need to take care of, all the things that rightly demand our time and attention. And yet, as Christians, we’re called to engage with – to refine – to challenge – to improve the world around us. So we can never close our eyes and ears. For me, among other intentions, Lent is always a good time to make sure I’m open. And listening. Aware. Paying attention. As we pray sometimes – learning to love like Jesus means that our hearts break for the same things that break his heart. The only way that can happen is if we’re paying attention, if we’re willing to be moved, if we see our neighbors.
There are a lot of heartbreakers in the news right now. A lot. This story has especially broken my heart this week. And I am quite sure that Jesus wept with a broken heart, too. What, you might ask, are we meant to do with stories like this? In the face of tragedy like this? It’s a simple answer, and it’s difficult to achieve: live well. Be kind. Respect the dignity of every human being. Insist that all of God’s children are treated well, regardless of difference or diversity. As far as we can, in our own corners of the world, speak up for those who are treated as less than. And insist that no child is ever anything but beloved. It should be common sense. It’s something we make promises about in our baptismal covenant. And it’s a small thing seemingly, in our corner of the world – but it makes all the difference.
Stories like the one I’ve linked above – and any story of bullying, suffering, and judgment – often come from fear. From hate. From ignorance. They are bolstered by a desire to limit information, to only tell part of the story, to ban books, to make people fit into one little box. To give preferential treatment to one kind of person over another – whether that’s about race, gender, class, ethnicity, orientation, or any other “label” we’ve created. As Anglicans, we believe that God has given us science, information, and the ability to learn. We believe that the Spirit is perfecting creation over time – as we grow into love – as we learn more about ourselves and each other – as we learn to love across difference. We have to be the voices in the world that insist on respecting the dignity of every human being – because that’s what we’ve promised to do over and over again in our baptismal covenant. No matter how alike or different they are from us. Each one is God’s beloved. And in their face – in their being – we see the image of God.
What are you noticing in the world around you? What intentions have you chosen for this season of Lent? What breaks your heart? What do you think breaks the heart of God? As we move toward Easter and our hope for resurrection, it’s an important part of the journey for us to first see and name the brokenness within and around us. As always, I’m here to be a companion and conversation partner in that if that would help. This week, do what you can to look around and to see God at work in the world around us. Do what you can to see God in the people around you. Each one of them bears the divine light, the divine image. And we are called – and have promised – to honor that image, to seek and serve Christ in all people. Each and every one.
Please take a look through our e-news and join us for this Lenten journey wherever you can. If you’re traveling this week, please travel safely. Until we are together again, God loves you. And so do I.
Faithfully,
–Marissa +