Lent Begins!
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”
February 28, 2025
Dear People of Holy Apostles’ Episcopal Church:
This Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5th. It is a season to intentionally and purposely situate ourselves firmly in humility and affix our eyes and hearts entirely upon God. It can be uncomfortable entering into such a penitential season. To echo what we might feel internally, our expression will match as we embrace a season of Rite I liturgies. Our default responses change ever so slightly making us more aware of the words we say. In all, I invite you to wholly embrace the nuances and intentionality of the season – in speech and sacrifice.
The prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea - call to us to repent. John the Baptist calls us to repent. Their words of the past carry into our present day and speak to us directly. Even Saint Peter continued this call in the Acts of the Apostles:
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
There have been other inclusions in our liturgy which have been intentional. One such addition has been the reading of the Great Commandment near the beginning of the service. Jesus reminds us to love God. This is a focus on our personal relationship with God. Jesus adds the command to love our neighbors. This is a focus on community relationships.
To renew ourselves, we need God. This season calls us to acknowledge any failings we may have and to walk humbly to God. May we be strengthened in our faith to fast, give-up, from those things that fill up our lives that push God out of our lives. The more room we can make in our hearts, the more God can fill them.
Carrying sin and striving to maintain a way of life that may not be righteous in the eyes of God is like carrying bricks while trying to swim. This season we are called to let go of the sin, to lighten our load, and to breathe and live freely in the love of God.
In the Name of Christ,
Fr. Michael