“Let us test and examine our ways,
and return to the Lord.
Let us lift up our hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven.”
(NRSV Lam 3:40 – 41)
I am not fond of the season of Lent. Since I first began singing in the Junior Choir, I became aware of all the activity and soul searching that Lent was supposed to include: Extra worship services, imposition of ashes, confessing the sins “we have left undone,” communal dinners with service projects, and the burying of the “Alleluia” all became part of my Lenten journey over the years. I would rather bask on God’s grace than dwell on all my shortcomings and failures. However, as life goes on, I have come to realize that Lent has its place.
One Lenten memory will stay with me forever. It is the midweek Lenten service where my mother sang “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” In the dimly lit church of my youth, from the baloney, a cappella, she used only her voice, her God given talent as a contralto, and sang it like the Negro spiritual that it is—partly acquisitory and mostly participatory. When she sang, “Where you there…” she invited everyone to remember how each one of us contributed personally to the need for Christ’s crucifixion. She took us back to the foot of the cross and reminded us that we were there where God was participatiang in our redemption from sin. We all tre-em-bled in our seats. When she finished, there was not a dry eye in the house. There was extended silence until our Pastor regained enough composure to continue the service. Whenever I hear this hymn, I remember and I usually cry.
In seminary I learned the word, anamnesis. In theological circles, it is the process in human rituals where the participant remembers a past moment as if they were now there. It is the goal of the celebration of the Eucharist, Holy Communion. Each week in worship, we gather to remember our Lord as Host in the upper room where Christ celebrated the Passover with His disciples. The Sadder of the Passover is a time when Israel remembered that their cries to God resulted in freedom from bondage as slaves in Egypt. In Holy Communion we go back to remember the foot washing of our Servant Leader, the prayer for unity among Christ’s followers, the sharing of bread and wine, the promise of the new covenant in the Messiah’s sacrifice of His body and blood. This upper room meal was a special time with the Master to show His love for each disciple. There is a human need for ritual that includes anamnesis. It makes time contract into God’s timing. It helps God live constantly in our memory. And I now smile to remembered how skillfully my mother took a congregation back to the cross one Lenten night.
The world waits for Easter now with new geopolitical tension, wondering when the other shoe is going to drop. When will the advance in east Ukraine begin again? What can I do about it? Not much but pray and contribute to the welfare of refugees. The author of Lamentations accused God of destroying Jerusalem and he lamented that fact, even though God warned them. He knew why it happened. The people lost sight of God in their lives and were unfaithful to the One who brought them out of Egypt and gave them the promised land. The author also revealed the one true course to follow. There is only one path back. The God honored way is to return to the Lord. God is gracious and merciful. The resurrection is God’s proof that death is not the end of life. Jesus’ tomb is still empty! Are you surprised? God provides a path to the Kingdom of God where peace contently fills every moment. This requires a change of heart and willingness to following Jesus’ teachings. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Someone, please share that with Putin. And also remind him that “you can’t take it with you.”
Lent helps us return to the Lord when life can sometimes take our attention away from who really matters most in our lives. Lent requires soul-searching which is necessary work to prepare us for the Kingdom of God. Jesus said He will come again. We don’t know when (except for every Sunday in the Eucharist). But until he does, we need to get busy and dedicate our lives to following his teachings. Isn’t that the primary reason for our existence?
For your consideration:
Please do one of the following exercises:
1. How do you prepare yourself for Holy Communion?
2. Do you have a strong memory of a favorite time at church? What is it and how does it encourage your faith?
3. Do you have an Easter ritual that is meaningful for you? Could you imagine an Easter without it?
4. Where do you see God in the world today?
5. Are you struggling with other followers of Christ who disagree with your political opinions? How can you reconcile your relationship with them in mutual respect?
6. Pray for the followers of Christ who live everywhere in the world, that God would strengthen their witness to faithful discipleship and help them work for justice in the their communities.
“I am not fond of the season of Lent”
Years ago I made time to go to all the Lenten services offered by the church we attended. But life got in the way and was unable to attend Easter Sunday. I was so sad and even depressed as a result. It is important to complete the journey.