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  • Untitled

Thoughts on Lent...

4/30/2019

2 Comments

 
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​In Lent we said we expend most of our energy trying to avoid our nothingness.  We devote most of our time trying to build or uphold our own somethingness.  

This Lent, we went into our nothingness. We tried welcoming the absence, and seeking God there.

 Here are some ways we did this:

​​- We used finger rosaries to help us do this, with the words, "Be still and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10.  

- We had banners hung in the sanctuary, and prayed in our confession about, sin, crisis, fear, injustice, shame and division.  
​
- Each week, we sang: 
Receive what cannot be claimed
fall into what cannot be scaled
Breathe in what cannot be seen
awake to what cannot be dreamed
Attend to the ground beneath your feet
Attend to the colors underneath
For God is here and now in love
My friend, trust that will be enough

- We were invited to fast from (let go temporarily) whatever it is we use to avoid the abyss, to numb, or distract ourselves.

What was your Lent like?  Did any of these practices specifically connect for you?  
What did you let go (fast from), or take up, for Lent?  What was the experience like?
What did you learn or notice through these practices? 
How did God meet you in this Lent?

​​What now?
​

Please share about your experience in the comments below!



2 Comments
Kara
4/30/2019 12:02:08 pm

"I gave up social media for Lent. It was really hard, and I checked it multiple times the first few weeks, realizing shortly after opening it that I didn't want to be there, and closing it again. It got easier as the weeks went on. I found myself more present in my life. It was nice engaging with world news and tragedies (like Notre Dame burning) strictly from news stories and not from immediate emotional reactions (and reactions to those reactions) on social media. I felt more grounded and steady.  I miss it less than I thought I would. I am trying to figure out what the balance may be for me - and it might be simply not returning at all. I'm glad I did this during Lent and grateful for the gift of freedom it gave me."
- Kara

Reply
Kara
4/30/2019 02:52:04 pm

I will also add - on Easter Sunday, when each of the banners fell, I got chills. I hadn't anticipated how much light would come flooding in that I hadn't realized had been blocked out, or how flimsy and insubstantial they would feel when they fell, after looming over us all of Lent. That moment was powerful to me.

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Minneapolis, MN 55407    
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