The season of Lent so often enters upon us as a wintering -- a somewhat cold reminder of our darkness and dislocation. Yet, even in the come-uppance of Lent's arrival, there is a note, a hope, a not-yet-warming trend but certainly a sensed promise of regeneration. Hear it in the early Lenten prayer that focuses us upon the gifts of bread and wine:
"...Jesus Christ... was tempted in every way that we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again" (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 379)
The season then lengthens (Lent is from the German for lengthen, from which the word spring time blooms)-- As we allow the fertilizing, ground-turning Exhortation for living a holy life to become our spiritual almanac, buds do appear, even in the midst of drizzle and grey gloom, with more than words of promise. Yes, we experience the turning over and turning around and growing in us, of us... with Christ.
Just as the coming season of spring already has its heralds in slightly warmer temperatures and less gruesome downpours, to say nothing of that bush near your front door that POP is in bloom, as if overnight, the focusing words of the prayer over the gifts this Sunday shift to a more springlike tone:
"[God:] You bid your faithful people cleanse their hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you" (379).
Tomorrow is the first day of spring; and Sunday, the fourth in Lent, is traditionally called "Refreshment Sunday." We are being prepared to bud, blossom and burst forth into the world as the flowering of love-- the bodily presence of care and compassion for others; the Real Presence of Christ. You can feel the refreshing change with all of your senses.
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