We embarked on the journey of Lent yesterday, Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. Instead of the customary focus on sin and penance, our observance of Ash Wednesday at Ft. Collins First UMC emphasized the "gift" of our mortality, with the ashes we gave to each other, symbolizing that finality of our lives. How in the world can that be seen as a gift? The Scripture readings and reflections that Martha Conant assembled for our consideration called us to the deep truth that only if we take stock of our morality can we truly live with the fullness God envisions for us. It was a truly blessed evening we shared in worship last night in our Chapel. I was so moved by the age range we had in worship - folks of all ages including not a small number of children with their moms and dads. Very rich and meaningful - thank you all for coming.
And now we begin the journey that is Lent, then. The season gives us a chance to "journey in time", making available not only the metaphor of pilgrimage but also markers along the way. This coming Sunday, Feb. 17th, we'll be focusing on what forgiveness offers us in terms of "living into the fullness of life" I mentioned above, with a sermon entitled "The Journey of Lent on a Road Marked 'Forgiveness'". Note that the starting point for this is NOT how sinful we are against God but how we need to receive from and give forgiveness to others in order to be fully alive. One of the resources I will be using is a book called Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace by Miroslav Volf, who was here among us last year as a visiting theologian.
If you have any thoughts on this subject you'd like to forward, I'd be glad to hear from you.
Steve
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Focusing on sinfulness keeps us stuck in darkness; focusing on forgiveness, both received and given, propels us forward into light and creates possibilities we would never see otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more, which is why I took the direction I did with the sermon on Sunday. Judging from the feedback I received, it was a word on target for our congregation. Thanks for your comment and your perspective.
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