Your invited.

"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the 

observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; 

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and 

meditating on God's Holy Word."

BCP pg. 265

The snow yesterday was blowing here and there.  It really did not accumulate very much, but just as we thought it might stop, it began again.  A dusting of white fluffy snow covered the way ahead.  People gathered at noon and in the evening to pray, receive the imposition of ashes and the Eucharist.  During this service we were invited into a Holy Lent.  We were invited to a time of self- reflection and action.  

It is often very helpful for me to remember that Jesus repeatedly went off by himself to pray.  In the midst of what seemed like crisis or stress, he turned to prayer.  In times of celebration and blessing, he turned to prayer.  

"Lent is a pilgrimage which Christ personally invites us to make.  The journey is not an adventure for tourists who wish to capture snapshots of spiritual insight, but rather an invitation which comes from Christ and draws us to Christ.  What is unique about this personal invitation is that Christ invites us to make a journey that he himself has already made.  It is the nature of his grace not merely to call us from outside, but actually to draw us from within."    

Steve  Purcell

Let us remember that the forty days of Lent is fashioned after Jesus forty days in the wilderness.  He took himself into the desert for forty days and forty nights to prepare himself emotionally and spiritually for his ministry and for all that his life would hold.  How are we prepared emotionally and spiritually for our ministry?  How are we prepared for our path ahead? 

Our Lenten practice could be approached from 3 different perspectives.  We turn to look at ourselves and our life; at our relationship with God; and at our relationships with others.  If we only focus on one of these areas we fall short of the full experience God is calling us to.  

We are invited into this time, not just to watch and stand at the sidelines, but to  actively participate.  We are not called to take "snapshots" of others, as that is not our story.  We are called to pull away, find those places in our lives that are empty or worn and pray for God's help and guidance.  We may also pull away and find the many blessings that can get lost in day to day life.  Allow time to slow down and be.  

Secondly, we are invited to look at our life with God.  What is our prayer life like?  What are the many things that compete for God's attention in our lives?  Are we able to remember those things that are prayerful?  Writing, reading, walking, yoga, painting or taking photographs, are all forms of prayer.  

Lastly, we are invited to look outward.  If we only engage this time as one of self-reflection it can easily become one of self- absorption.  We are created in God's image, we are created to be the instruments in the world God most needs us to be.  To do that we need to take precious care of who we are, and the instrument God has given us.  We then need to go out in the world and follow Jesus's example.  How are we able to see our neighbor, how do we see those in need?  How are we responding to Jesus's message of love and service?  

The sun is out this day and it is very cold.  The snow has stopped blowing and a new day has begun. Welcome to this new day.  Give thanks and blessings for the invitation.  No need to RSVP, just come as you are.