It’s Lent and we begin again. Some say the word “lent” comes from the English stem that means “length” so it’s a time when we are lengthened, stretched beyond our usual living and patterns. In religious terms we mature and grow into the full stature of what the Holy One intended that we become. Being “lengthened” is not so much something we do but opening ourselves so that the Spirit (with others) can inspire and inspirit us with grace, deeper faithfulness, and endurance. And it’s a time to extend life, hope and good news (the gospel), and the presence of God to others, the poor, and those hungry for justice and thirsting for peace.
THE SPRINGTIME OF THE SOUL
In the Middle Ages, Lent was thought of as “the springtime of the soul” as when the earth was renewed and came back to life so our souls surged with new life and grace in a burst of blooming, like the way sunflowers grow 6 to 10 feet in a matter of 7 weeks’ time, or crocus and tulips poke up through a cover of snow and ice, vibrant with color, surprising us with the power of life returning.
Liturgically it is 40 days in the desert in memory of the people enslaved and imprisoned in Egypt as they learned how to be free and became a people belonging to God. It echoes the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert before he came out in public preaching, healing, and bringing hope to the world. It also stood for 40 years which was an adult’s lifetime to be a time of reorientation, renewal of baptismal promises, and intense preparation for being baptized into resurrection life at Easter.
Lent is a “spring cleaning” of body, mind, and soul. Or as the people of Africa say: a time for our bodies to catch up to our souls. It signals a growth surge of wholeness, coming together, and becoming holy.
FORMAT OF THIS E-COURSE FOR LENT
Emails were originally intended to be delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. As it is "On-Demand," you choose your own start date and frequency for delivery of the emails to your inbox. The emails include:
Commentary on the Gospels. We will look at the Bible passages from the Sunday gospels (6 Sundays plus Ash Wednesday and Easter). The Sunday Scripture readings (Cycle C) were chosen to emphasize community, solidarity with others, and deepening our bonds with others as we seek new expressions of living in the world.
Wisdom Stories from Other Cultures and Religions and Reflections on Living “Relentlessly.” We will reflect on two radical concepts of living: how to live with unrelenting resistance to evil and fierce tender regard for all life, with resounding and quiet even wordless joy.. We will remember that we do this together in solidarity and communion with other companions on the way. (In the tradition of a Maori proverb, “My strength is not mine alone but that of many.”)
Practice Suggestions. Acknowledging that this is a time of change, we will work with spiritual practices that shift perspectives and images of ourselves, our souls, and our relationships with others and the earth/universe. We will contemplate who and what we think the Holy/ God With Us might be.
Book and Music Recommendations. Each week there will also be suggestions for further reading, studying, and digesting of books, plus music to accompany us as we spring forth into new ventures to broaden our visions and practice.
ABOUT OUR LEADER
Megan McKenna is a renowned storyteller, theologian, and writer with 50+ books in print, all containing stories and scripture references. Her story repertoire derives from the oral traditions of many religions and the Jewish/Christian scriptures. She has also worked in the United States, Ireland/England, and elsewhere with those struggling with PTSD, prisoners, immigrants, refugees and many dealing with violence and trauma, both personally and in communities. She teaches forgiveness, reconciliation, restorative justice, repair, and resurrection.
Join us for this Lenten experience by subscribing with the link below.
Available On-Demand
(choose your own start date and frequency)
$65.00
