Journey to Pascha is the sub-title of Alexanda Schmemann’s book Great Lent.
Schmemann begins his book with these words of wisdom, “When a man [or woman] leaves on a journey, s/he must know where s/he is going. Thus with Lent. Above all, Lent is a spiritual journey and its destination is Easter. As Yogi Berra is credited with saying, “If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” Lent is a season of great intentionality in our spiritual lives, and our spiritual disciplines. We do know where we are going and that’s why we care enough to make the journey as meaningful as possible. It is virtually impossible to appreciate the incredible gift and blessing, or the promise of hope that Easter brings, unless we understand the nature and character of our Savior, Jesus Christ, our inherent sinfulness (or need for a Savior), and the true nature of discipleship.
The Gospel of Mark takes a dramatic turn at its mid-point. We might say that at the heart of Mark’s Gospel Jesus makes His first passion prediction and turns His face to Jerusalem, where “the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31. Jesus, the divine Word made flesh, compassionate Shepherd of the sheep, merciful provider, humble servant, teacher, healer, prophet and priest, willingly walks the way of the cross, which is the way of salvation for all who come to Him in faith. Lent prepares each of us, as Jesus’ disciples, to follow Him in the way of the cross, which is at the heart of our faith.
Our beautiful form of worship – our liturgy, or work of the people – prepares us in heart, mind and spirit with the Ash Wednesday service by inviting us to the observance of a holy Lent. That is, a period of forty days set aside for God’s purposes, in order for each of us to reflect on our lives, learn the lessons and be formed by our personal experience of exile, to seek forgiveness for our sins, to be reconciled with others, to fast, to pray, and to read and meditate on God’s holy Word. As a way to honor God, some of us intentionally and prayerfully abstain from particular foods or activities during Lent. Equally, as a way to honor God, some of us intentionally take on an additional ministry or form of service to our neighbors.
Some great Lenten reflections to purposefully make our Lenten journey more meaningful may include reflecting on humility and how that is manifest in our lives and our ministries. Prayerfully considering our service to others, and discerning God’s call on our lives, perhaps in new or deeper ways. Confessing our sins, repentance or turning our lives around by re-committing ourselves to God in Christ Jesus, and making amends to others. Practicing God’s graciousness may prompt us to look again at self-denial, which can be expressed as the spiritual practice of fasting, or simply putting the needs of others before our own. Or maybe our Lent will be most purposeful by making a renewed commitment to Bible study and attending worship. In whatever way we honor God this Lent, the church invites us all to observe a Holy Lent in preparation for the blessing, joy and promise of Easter!
Susan+
