Lent: The Season of Love - Openness and Gratitude

This past week I have been praying with the Gospel story about Lazarus, his death and Jesus restoring his life. The Gospel of John (11.1-45) paints a telling story about relationship, about pain, about openness and about gratitude. There is so much to ponder and reflect on in this gospel, however two lines jumped out at me and have challenged me in this Lenten Season of Love.

The first is after Jesus has met with Martha and Mary, he is greatly disturbed by their sorrow and he says, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” There it is, four simple words that have been shaping the Lenten journey.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my living

Come and see my hurting

Come and see my sorrows.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my family

Come and see my friends

Come and see my community.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my comings and goings

Come and see my tomb I make

Come and see my darkness.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my desires.

Come and see my hopes.

Come and see my faith.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see my joys.

Come and see my ponderings.

Come and see my loving.

Lord, come and see.

Come and see me so I may

Come and see you.

Come and see Lord.

These four words are an invitation to openness. The Lord calls us to life and this means opening our lives to him and inviting him into the good, the bad, the ugly, the hurting, the joys, the life-stealing and the life-giving. These four words are a call for us to trust in God’s deep love for and God’s desire for our life. It is in this that we must continually be open to Jesus and the working of his spirit. This is true openness that brings us forth from the tombs we create and hide in. This is true openness which allows us to say “Lord, come and see! Come and see it all.., here is my life.”

From openness I move to gratitude. Gratitude is good for all seasons of life and in all situations, I find it especially poignant when embraced in Lent – the Season of Love. A few lines further in this same gospel Jesus reminds us of this. “And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me.”” Again four simple words that have heightened my awareness of the gift of gratitude.

Father, I thank you for:

the life that you have created

the way you walk with me

the good people who stay with me

the gift of being called from the tombs over and over.

Father, I thank you for:

the insights and wisdom that openness can bring

the quiet moments when you speak to me

the vibrant moments when you remind me of your generosity

the holiness in which I am created and called to.

Father, I thank you for:

the strength that arises in times of sorrow

the deep faith which draws me to you

the beauty of creation which shows your love

the hope in which I am rooted in.

Father, I thank you for:

the courage to say, “I believe”

the ways in which you unbind me

the freedoms I have and discover

the variety of ways you call me forth.

Father, I thank you for:

the tears which express my pain and sorrow

the smiles which tells of my delights and joys

the comfort and support of those who love me

the telling of our never-ending story.

Father, I thank you for:

the life of your Son Jesus

the sharing of his Spirit

the communion to which I and all people are called.

having heard me today and always. Amen.

Openness and Gratitude, cornerstones in this deep part of the Lenten Season of Love.

Where are they in our journey this week?

PS.

In the icon above... note the facial express of Jesus and Lazarus... can you see their bond of friendship and love? Can you see the joy in them?  Can you see the greater hope to which this foretells? Can you see yourself?

Lent: The Season of Love - The Little Things

Here we are at the half way point of this Lenten Season of Love. How are we doing? How has the journey been so far? How are our Lenten goals and plans coming together? How are we doing with our relationships? How are we doing at being ambassadors? That is a lot of questions to ponder.

Lent is not necessarily easy, we all know that. I wonder how often we fail to see the little things that make the season of Lent, truly a Season of Love. It has to be more than giving things up, or doing something extra, it has to be in the ordinary, in the little things that this season transforms us and calls us to life and to love. For it is the little things that will continue past this season and leads us into all the seasons of our life. The little things, the everyday things this is what calls to us in this season. Where in the ordinariness of our lives does the season take hold and shape us into an Easter people? I truly believe it is in the little things.

Some examples from this past week, with what it “cost” each scenario.

A young dad spent the evening at home with his young daughters so his wife could go out with her mom. It cost precious moments with his daughters.

A young man commented on his supportive wife and realized how much she supports him when he doubts, he realized more deeply that he needs to acknowledge that support. It cost simple appreciation.

A brother patiently without saying anything picks up after another brother who seems not to be able to do so for himself. It cost true fraternity.

A colleague sends a text asking for prayers for a dire situation. It cost nothing more than a name added to prayer.

An uncle sends a letter to a niece, nothing extraordinary just a letter saying she is loved. It cost a moment and a stamp.

A young professional is grabbing her groceries after work, and adds a few extra items for the food bank. It cost kindness and a whole $10 from the paycheck.

An aunt sends a message to a nephew reminding him of the good work he has done. It cost a memory and moment to share.

A neighbour clears snow after a late winter snow fall. It cost exercise and fresh air.

A classmate listens to another classmate as she expresses worries about some final projects. It cost a listening ear and support.

A friend stays after an event is over and helps with clean up. It cost a few extra moments with a friend.

A grandchild calls a grandparent. It cost a filled up heart.

You see it is the little things, not the extravagant or costly. The above examples cost a whopping $10.90 and time. A huh… there it is… the key element to little things, ordinary things, daily things transformed into a season and a lifetime of love is time. God has all the time in the world for us. 

How do we tap into that time, which truly is love expressed? 

How will we spend our time this week of Lent?

It is the little things… we are created for this and strengthened by the mercy and love of our God. God so loved the world he gave his only Son, which is a lot. God is not asking that of us, yet God is asking us to share in work of the cross. 

How can we carry it this week (remove burden from the image of carrying it)? 

Can we spare a few moments of our time this week?  

Let’s not let the little things slip by leaving us hoping that we could start Lent over again, instead let us embrace the little moments that build each day.

God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved… For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.-     Ephesians 2.4, 10

Lent: The Season of Love - Called to Relationship

This past week I called my Mom and when she answered I asked her what she was doing, her response was, “I just finished hugging your brother, I had a dream he died, so I just wanted to give him a hug when I saw him.”

I laughed, she laughed and then I got the details of the dream. I always find it interesting how dreams, or common moments in our living trigger for us much deeper thoughts and actions. I’ve been pondering my Mom’s story over the past few days. In this pondering a key word has surfaced… relationship.

If I was to summarize my nearly three years of theological studies I would have use the word relationship. Not just the relationships that have formed with classmates and professors, but really the whole core of theological studies is about relationship. From the Trinitarian love-fest of our three in one God, to God’s deep love for all of creation and all of humanity, to Jesus’ relationship in becoming one of us, to the pattern of relationship that Jesus has shown to us, to the relationship of faith and reason - nature and belief, to the relationship of the church and the world, to our relationship with Christ… theology and our journey of faith is truly about relationship.

Now this pondering on relationship is not a news flash or a new concept, it is simply a deeply rooted reality, and dare I say truth, which speaks to each of us no matter where we are in the journey. As we continue on in this Lenten Season of Love, the thought and reality of relationships should continue to surface and call us to evaluate our interactions with others, our investments in relationships and the work, efforts and growth that are relationships .

From my Mom’s dream and her hugging my brother, to a conversation with a Franciscan brother, to a coffee with a good friend, to listening to a classmate, to a phone call with a niece of mine, to quiet moments of prayer, to listening to scripture proclaimed the value of relationship has drawn me a bit deeper into this Season of Love. It has made me ponder the relationships I enter into and how much of myself I give. I have contemplated the challenges of relationships in my own life and that of the church and nations. I have considered the struggle we have with being open enough and trusting enough to be brother and sister with each other. I have wondered about how well I am doing at expressing the importance of the relationships that shape my life and what I need to do to heal some relationships, let go of ones that are illusions and share appreciation for those relationships that nurture and sustain me. The list of people could be endless, however Lent is a good time for some concrete actions and calls me and each of us to be aware of our relationship with others and our relationship with Christ. This Season of Love is an opportunity to reflect on our relationships and to bring them to the cross and place them in the heart of love that is our God.

So, to my brother who is very much alive and got a hug from mom this week, I don’t know if you know how much I appreciate you. Your relaxed, easy-going approach which counters my planned, under-control approach is a balance I seek. Your ability to make people laugh, even sometimes groan is a gift that breaks tensions and stirs up some needed excitement in our days. Your tenderheartedness outweighs your sometimes tough exterior. Your ability to adapt, to risk, to dream, to seek new opportunities reminds me that I too must do the same in my journey, in my relationships and in my walk of faith. So, my brother, I’m glad that it was just a crazy dream of Mom’s and that you are very much alive and thankful for the lessons you have taught me about relationships and I’m blessed to call you brother.

May this Lenten week ahead allow for each of us to spend some moments pondering and reflecting on our relationships from family to friends to colleagues to neighbours, to those in need, to our most precious relationship of the one we have with Christ. I know I have my work cut out for me… this Season of Love really is having an impact on my heart.

Lent: The Season of Love is Transforming

The Second Sunday of Lent always brings us to the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is a great reminder of what this Lenten Season of Love calls us to and how to live. It calls us to look at our living, our patterns, and our everyday to see what needs to be transformed.

What needs to be made new?

What needs to become dazzling?

Where is it good to be right now?

Where do we need to build up?

Who needs to hear that they are beloved?

Who calls us beloved?

What mountain do we need to walk down?

What message do we need to hold deep within us?

This past week I had the great gift to spend some time apart by myself. It was not up a mountain but rather into rolling hills and valley to a tiny wooden cabin. It was secluded, it is was simple and it was needed. It was a combination of quiet, rest, prayer, listening and sharing in some of the activities of my hosts. The difference in the pattern of my day, the simplicity of my location, the gift of quiet were full of simple moments of transfiguration. It is amazing what time apart can do for one’s soul, journey and vision. I believe it is in these simple precious moments that we are transfigured – we come to see with fresh eyes, we are moved to action, we can declare what is good in our journey and in quieting ourselves we too hear, “You are my beloved!”

This past week also provided the opportunity for me to enjoy some time with good people. Now as I reflect back upon the week in light of the transfiguration of Jesus I too can echo Peter’s words, “It is good for us to be here.” However, I can also see that the being here in all of the moments with these good people in my life were simply moments, they were not a permanent dwellings building time but rather a moment to appreciate the rich blessings of those who journey with me, those who remind me of God’s love, those who serve well, those who share insights and perspectives, those who listen, those who remind me that in the quiet (and in activity) each of us are beloved.

With the Lenten Season of Love in full swing now I ponder how I’m doing with the gift of this season. I am thankful for the time apart and the time with good people. It makes me consider my Lenten goals again and reminds me to be present in this Season of Love and to be a bearer of love.

I might not get another few days apart by myself and I may not have much time to linger in long conversations or around table again this Lent, however the transfiguration story reminds me that I must come down the mountain and be present in the journey that leads to the lasting light of the Resurrection.

I pray that each of us may find even a few moments this week to be apart by ourselves (even if that means standing the shower just a bit longer) to be quiet enough and to see with fresh eyes the dazzling love of our God. In whatever that moment or moments may be this week and in our interactions with good people may we hear the words “you are my beloved” whispered to us. Yes, this Season of Love truly is about Transformation… where and how do we embrace this gift?

Strength, courage and dazzling moments 

to fill this Lenten week of love.

Lent - The Season of Love: Christ in Me Arise

Christ in me arise and dispel all the darkness. 

Christ in me arise with your power and your strength.  

Christ in me pour out your blessing and healing. 

Christ in me arise and I shall rise with you. 

Watch video here:   Christ in Me Arise by Trevor Thomson

We have now entered into the Season of Lent – the Season of Love. For us to walk well in this season we need to constantly be bringing to mind Christ. I know that sounds obvious and should be the daily means for Christian living, but it is not always the reality. I know in my own life I need reminders, I need to be prompted to go back to my source who is Christ. I need to be tweaked, challenged, quiet and prayerful so I can see Christ, meet Christ and know Christ in my every day.

This past week I have been praying with the song by Trevor Thomson called            “Christ in Me Arise.” This piece of music has been full of nudges to be the ambassador for Christ that Lent calls each of us to be (see the last post). The lyrics are not only hopeful they call me to life and to be aware that Christ dwells in me and calls me to be open to him each day.

“Christ in me arise and dispel all the darkness,” the refrain begins. Yes, Lord Jesus, dwell in me for you are light and life and the darkness of the world and my own journey can be a bit much at times to hold. Arise in me Jesus for I know you break through darkness and lead me in ways that are everlasting. This is my Lenten desire, to walk with you in this Season of Love for your light illumines my path and shows me what needs to be tweaked, changed and broken open so I may know Easter joy.

The bridge of the song declares “I live and move in you, my whole being thrives in you.” Yes, Lord Jesus, live and move in me in this Season of Love that I may more closely walk with you, carry the cross like Simon, be present to the journey, rely on you for strength and courage to truly know your ways and paths. Arise in me Jesus for I know this is the only way I will thrive and know the fullness of love. This too is my Lenten desire to thrive – to be alive, to “act justly, to love kindness, to walk humbly with you” (Micah 6.8). Thriving means I’m rooted in you and live as an Easter person knowing your love beyond the cross and grave into new life.

Yes Lent is indeed the Season of Love, calling us to be aware of our actions, our words and our living. Calling us to brave enough and open enough to allow Christ to arise in us and lead us to the kingdom which is love beyond all understanding.

No matter where we are this Lenten week or who we are with invite Christ in; let him dwell among our family and friends, co-workers and neighbors and in each of us...it is truly here that Christ will arise and we will come to see the gift of being his ambassadors.

Blessings for you and your families in the journey of this Lenten Week.

This Family Day Weekend be sure to tell your loved ones how much 

you appreciate them... let us truly live this Season of Love... 

be an ambassador... I dare you...

Lent: The Season of Love

I recently received a note from a dear friend who wrote:

May the fact that Lent begins on Valentine’s Day easily bring to mind those you love.

May God open your heart even more to what God has in store for you.

I read those two lines over and over again. I put them aside and have come back to them.There is great wisdom and truth in those two lines for our Lenten journey. Lent the Season of Love is more than what Valentine’s Day offers as a day for cupids, roses and good chocolates. The Lenten season calls us to the depth of love, the openness of love and the true gift of love out-poured.

These two lines brought me to the readings for Ash Wednesday – the launching point for the Season of Love...

Brothers and sisters:We are ambassadors for Christ,as if God were appealing through us.We implore you on behalf of Christ,be reconciled to God.For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Working together, then,we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you,and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time;behold, now is the day of salvation.- 2 COR 5:20—6:2

If we are ambassadors for Christ then easily those we love should come to mind.

If we are ambassadors for Christ then also those we need to love should come to mind.

If we are ambassadors for Christ then our hearts are more opened to Christ; trusting that what he has in store for us is grace-filled, working for God’s glory and is right for this time and place.

As we journey into the season of Lent – the Season of Love and we consider prayer, fasting and almsgiving – we must consider these Lenten anchors with love, not with simply Lenten duty.

How will prayer lead me to love more deeply and to share my love not only within my circle of love but to expand that circle?

How will fasting lead me to be aware of those who are starved of love and left hungry for community, acceptance and hope?

How will almsgiving lead me to a generosity from my heart that is generated out of love not simply charity and a good feeling?

If I have learned anything in my journey it is that love is not easy -  it is a constant choice, a constant awareness and must be a constant desire for God.

May this Season of Love open us up to God’s infinite love. May it touch our hearts and stir in us a greater desire to be ambassadors, for now is the acceptable time for love...it always is. Now is the acceptable time to open our hearts to the endurance that it takes for us to live in love. Not tomorrow, or next week, or only during Holy Week, but today and all through the season of Lent... so that the true pattern of love which is Christ may be the only season we know... on good days, bad days and every day.

Here is to amazing journey into the Season of Love.

Open My Eyes

Open my eyes Lord,
so I may see the goodness around me,
so I may see the plenty in my life.

Open my eyes Lord,
so I may respond to those seeking,
so I may have a gentle heart and working word.

Open my eyes Lord,
so I may be a sign of your love,
so I may love as a true witness of you. 

Open my eyes Lord,
so I may trust deeply,
so I may serve joyfully.

Open my eyes Lord,
so I may time and time again proclaim you,
so I may be filled with your Spirit.

Open my eyes Lord.
Open my eyes Lord...
I know I see you.