Friday, March 04, 2011

Friday Five: Favorite Things About Lent

Night Falls on Jackson Square, New OrleansI'm B-A-A-C-K!  I'm back home in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, I'm back from the boisterous and thoughtful adventure that was BE 4.0 and I'm back to blogging.  Thank you RevGalBlogPal sisters (everywhere!) for this venue as perpetual encouragement and energy boost.  I have coffee in front of me and a day of major big-time catching up ahead of me.  And -- oh yeah -- it's Lent in just a few days!  Ack!  And ... I am still rocking a little, as if still rolling on that big boat!


What are some things you appreciate about the season of Lent? Perhaps you would share 5 of them with us. And for your bonus question feel free to share one thing you could do without.
  1. Ash Wednesday:  I like the messiness of the ashes as a defining marker of the beginning of the season.  I don't understand Ash Wednesday without ashes, but I found out it does happen.  In the first year of a particular call, I went along with our UCC church's tradition of sharing Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday services with a neighboring (happened to be Methodist) church.  Their pastor was appalled that we were imposing ashes at the Ash Wednesday service, that year hosted at our church.  He refused to participate in imposing the ashes or receiving them.
  2. The Color Purple:  I like changing paraments and wearing the purple stole.  I found out on BE 4.0 that the clergy stole evolved from a pastor's need for a sweat rag!  Well, then, give me a purple one!
  3. A New Beginning:  Like New Year's Day and the first day of school, the beginning of Lent feels like a good time to do some self-reflection, begin new habits &/or look to the future.  So, Lent also gives me the gift of ...
  4. Disciplines:  I have lately started using the word "practice" instead of "discipline" because it helps me to remind myself to actually "do practice" or otherwise I don't think I will ever "be disciplined."  I usually add a practice or two rather than taking something away.  
  5. Good Friday:  It's a hard service to mess up or embellish a lot as the story speaks very well for itself.  I like to wallow in it -- yes, wallow rather than immerse -- because the implications are profound and deep and I'm pretty sure I've not yet touched the bottom of that deep end.
BONUS -- The one thing I can do without:  If I had to say one thing, it would probably be the church Easter egg hunt which is held, strangely enough, on Palm Sunday! The reason for that date:  "People are too busy on Easter" and "The kids' Easter clothes might get messed up!"  My childhood family Easter egg hunts -- yes, multiple egg hunts at multiple family homes -- were wonderful!  I haven't figured out how the one we do at church adds a thing to what families can -- and will -- do for their kids.  I have nothing at all against a church Easter egg hunt; I just don't get it.

6 comments:

angela said...

Wow, no ashes? I can't imagine that. It has always been one of the most reflective services for me...a real part of the liturgical year that always has meaning. I know other Christian groups look down at us if we have mid-day ashes and then walk around holier than thou...but the evening service has been so real to me. Ashes to ashes realization.

I think the Easter Egg thing is very ironic. Only one church in our region does it. On the Saturday before Easter. Good timing I think. Ella kept asking to go back to that church to see all the children.

kathrynzj said...

I too am rocking and so appreciate your ability to participate in staring at a computer screen.

I am 'borrowing' spiritual practices instead of spiritual disciplines. It changes everything!

Peace friend, and thanks for playing!

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

i too like the langauge of practice... so much more relatable!

welcome home, i hope you were nourished deeply for the voyage ahead...

Templeamma said...

I like your thoughts on "practices" vs. "disciplines" - - thanks for that!

Muthah+ said...

Glad you could do B4. Like practices but sometimes I need a good ole kick butt word like discipline to wake me to my slovenliness

Mary Beth said...

(Gasp) Easter egg hunt on Palm Sunday?!

my uber-liturgical roots are showing!