In the wilderness?

I had lunch today with one of the small groups. As they talked, one of them asked if we knew when we were in the wilderness. It has me wondering -- did the Israelites know they were in the wilderness? Did Jesus know he was in the wilderness? I suppose the topography might have given it away, but did they perceive that is was a time of testing? Were the Israelites just glad to be out of Egpyt? Perhaps they perceived the wilderness as a place of salvation, instead of as a place of testing. maybe when the Israelites begged Moses to lead them back to Egypt, they had decided that the wilderness was not a place of salvation, but a place worse than Egypt.

As I sort through those reflections, I offer you these questions:

1. Do you know you are in the wilderness when you arrive there, or is it something we discover along the way or in reflection after we have left it?

2. What clues do you notice in your that tell you that you are in the wilderness?

3. What wilderness experiences have influenced you the most?

4. How did you get led out or who led you out of the wilderness?

Peace,

Richard

Temptations

Have you had time to reflect on going to the wilderness? In some ways, I find that a contrived notion. the Israelites were fleeing the Egyptian army and the devil "drove" Jesus into the wilderness. Suggesting that we create a wilderness experience seems odd. of course, that may also reveal the desire to never have to deal with the wilderness.

Have you reflected on the temptations in your life? As I worked on yesterday's sermon, I was struck by the desire to be transformed when I got to through the wilderness. In some ways, I've been thinking about that as my entry into the reflections on temptation, which has surely impacted the temptations I have discovered.

I also find it difficult to share publicly my temptations. Maybe because it is difficult to admit things about ourselves. Anyway, here is a thought or two about my temptations.

I battle with the temptation of going through the motions, but not really opening myself up to being engaged. It is easier for me to lead prayer, than force myself to really focus on prayer. It is easier to preach a sermon, than to hear how the Scripture lesson makes a claim on my life. It is easier to give pastoral care, than it is to be really engaged by the person I am with at the point of pastoral care.

One of the reasons I chose to add daily prayer for members during Lent is the desire to be more focused and engaged on the lives of people in the congregation. I wanted to become a more prayerful, engaged person by the time I reached the other side of the wilderness. I announced it as part of my sermon two weeks ago because I wanted to force myself into accountability. not yet a week into the process, I have found it amazing how praying for someone by name with their face in my mind creates a bond with them.

I have also discovered that engagement is still a challenge. As part of the exercise, I am writing to people on the day I pray for them. Yesterday at church, several people spoke to me about my praying for them. I found myself feeling awkward in those conversations. As I reflected on that, I realized that being engaged in prayer about a person still does not totally engage me with that person.

So, I have added to my task of praying for people, the challenge of engaging them in person, if they so choose. not sure what that looks like. For some, it might be just a smile and a "you're welcome." For others, it might be the beginning of a longer conversation about their prayer concerns and what they need in prayer (I might add, that is does seem a bit presumptuous to pray for people, as if I somehow know what they need God to be doing in their life).

I also have been reflecting on how my desire to pray for and engage the congregation ought to be matched by a commitment to my wife and kids. I far too often give in to the temptation of taking their love for granted and not nurturing it.

What temptations are on you mind as you begin Lent?

I am also holding on to the idea that the "angels will wait" on me as I struggle with my temptations. Have you been "waited" on by angels recently?

peace,

Richard

Marked!

From the early morning until just a few minutes ago, I marked people with the sign of ashes and the words, "from dust you have come, and to dust you shall return. Repent, and believe the gospel." In the end, I was not physically marked with ashes on the forehead, but I was marked in other ways.

First of all, my thumb now looks like I am being fingerprinted the old-fashioned way before they had scanners. My thumb is black! As I stared at it off and on throughout the day, I realized that it was my identifying mark today as one who is in ordained ministry; as one who could, in fact was expected, to mark people with the sign of the cross as they pondered their humanity and their God, who gives us life and receives us at our death. I was humbled at the reminder.

Secondly, I was marked by the experience of watching people reflect in the sanctuary and then come forward for the sign of the cross. I prayed over everyone who gathered. As they sat, I prayed for them, trying to remember what prayers they might need today and turning the rest over to God. My prayers ran into reflections on who they were and what might connect them to God. As I told the story of God breathing the breath of life into humanity for the kids who came with their parents, I was struck at how that seemed to captivate their imagination as they eagerly listened with eyes wide open in astonishment. I marveled at the faithfulness I saw in person after person. I was quieted by the pain some felt as they perhaps reflected on their sinfulness or remembered the frailty of human life as experienced in the death of a loved one. I found myself remembering what it meant to be in awe of God and the faithfulness and vulnerability of those who dare to believe seek to follow God.

Ash Wednesday has been a powerful day for me.

Peace,

Richard

Ashes, ashes, they all fall down!

Still not at the point to start posting about the text we'll be reading during Lent (you can get a copy in the lower gathering area at church), but preparations for Lent continue. This afternoon, I listened to music to find something appropriate to play in the background during the reflection times tomorrow in the sanctuary. It led me to ponder the power of music vs. the power of silence. And, I also was fascinated by my immediate response as to whether a song was "appropriate" for a time of reflection, including my surprise at discovering string music did not work for me.

I also burned the palm branches from previous years to make ashes for tomorrow.

If you are a sensory person, you might appreciate that I now smell like burning palm branches. My smell memory (if there is such a thing!) kicked in and brought to mind previous years when I have burned branches to create ashes. It reminds me of the importance of rituals in our lives. Do you have any rituals associated with Lent that have special meaning for you?

I also noticed that the palm branches from last year did not burn as well as palm branches that had been stored from 2 or three years ago. I could actually see a pattern connecting the palms in different groups based on how old they were. I was struck by the thought that it is much easier to burn the older, more dried out branches. Not sure if that suggests we ought to stay fresh or if it reminds that the passing of time helps us "burn away" those hurts and pains that we carry with us. Or maybe it symbolizes that the longer we had held on to the baggage from year's past, the most combustible it becomes.

Or, I suppose, it could just be a sign that the smell of the burned palm branches has overwhelmed my thoughts!

A Clearing Season

this blog will have weekly reflections on A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent, by Sarah Parsons. You can stop by the church office to receive your copy to read through Lent. My preaching series during Lent will follow the weekly topics.

Feel free to comment here on the sermons, the chapter being read, or whatever else is on your mind during your Lenten journey this year.

Yours in Christ,

Richard

Preparing for Ash Wednesday

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. First Presbyterian, Troy will have four opportunities for you to receive the imposition of ashes -- 6am- 7am; 9am-10:15am; 12noon - 1pm; 7pm - 8pm. In the sanctuary, you can focus on the Bible reading or prayer provided; lose your thoughts in the background music, and receive ashes. Come and go during that hour as your mood sets the pace.

For me, one of the most meaningful parts of preparing for the imposition of ashes is the burning of the palm branches that were waved last Palm Sunday. That's right, early next week I will burn the palms and those ashes will then be traced in a cross on the foreheads of those who gather next Wednesday. The ashes remind us of the frailty of our humanity -- they were waved in celebration of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem; they disappear as we betray Christ on Good Friday; they are transformed into ashes and become part of the ritual that announces, "From dust we have come; to dust we shall return."

Another powerful part of the Ash Wednesday experience is the personal contact of pressing the ashes onto the foreheads of those who gather. It is an intimate moment -- a moment for me to not only connect with people, but to also live out my ordination in administering this practice.

As Ash Wednesday approaches, what memories do you have of Ash Wednesday celebrations that have taken place previous years?

What is on you mind as you approach Ash Wednesday this year?

Yours in Christ,

Richard