By Marian McKone, guest author
photo by Giorgio Parravicini / provided by Unsplash
“You are my Beloved, my Own.
On you my favor rests.”
Jesus heard these words before he was sent into the wilderness, wildness, desert. This affirmation was repeating in his mind as he spent forty days in this time apart, alone. I want us to hear these same words as we consider our Lenten journey. You are the beloved of God. I am the beloved of God. We are the beloved of God. We belong – to God, to each other. This is a different foundation than some understandings of the placement of ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday.
“Remember Man, that thou art dust and to dust you shall return.”
This is the traditional phrase my husband remembers from his Catholic childhood. We are dust. We are claydust and stardust, originally blessed and expressing the very image of God. I am suggesting we begin this exploration of Lent with this affirming understanding of who we are.
From this foundation let us begin to see our Lenten journey as a wonderful invitation. It is not a time of penitence but rather a time to discover our deep longing and yearning, to create space to invite the voice of Life to speak. Maybe in the hot, dry, dizzying place of the desert we might see beauty, discover life lessons from nature and unearth sustenance from simple things. Maybe in our thirst we will experience moments of Oneness and explore who we are and whose we are.
This Lent (and last year) a time in the wilderness is imposed on us by the pandemic. It is possible that we are not being invited to add anything else in order to experience the slowing down and emptying that Lent invites. If you do choose to add more intentional practices these last few weeks of Lent consider looking at three aspects of life: body, heart and mind. For the body, consider asking questions about how to bring balance into the life that is held there. There is freedom when we become aware of bodily habits and make choices for greater health. For the heart, become aware that it is the place of emotion, feelings and relationship. The heart can be opened in order to receive. How might you soften your heart? For the mind, often busy with myriad thoughts, what might support quiet in order to listen and hear what is true, what is possible?
As we consider how we might embrace the invitation of Lent may we not squander this opportunity to listen. Whether we are slowed and isolated by the pandemic or choosing other practices, step into this season of Lent with willingness. Jesus left the desert and was directed immediately into active ministry. For what is this time preparing each of us?
I will close with this prayer to support your journey.* You can listen to it while reading along.
May the peace of SophiaChrist go with you,
wherever she may send you.
May she guide you
through the wilderness,
protect you
through the storm.
May she bring you home
rejoicing
at the wonders she has shown you.
May She bring you home
rejoicing
once again into our doors.
*This prayer is adapted from Celtic Daily Prayer p.19
This is the first reflection of our Lenten series: “Noticing our Longings” graciously provided by Marian McKone, a long term friend of our CloisterSeminars (see bio below). This series will guide us through the next Sundays until we arrive at Passion week.