Reclaiming Lent

We need Lent . . .
 
Traditions are the vehicles by which faith, values and the fundamental sense of
what is really important is passed from one generation to another. 
The effort to keep Christian and pagan traditions separate is a continuing struggle for
Christians. Traditionally, Lent has played an important part in this struggle.

Originally a season of fasting and penance for new converts preparing for baptism on Easter Eve, Lent is a period of 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter.
Sundays, days when fasts could be broken, are not included in the 40 days.
The 40 days of Lent correspond to Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry.

When Christianity became the state religion of the Roman empire in the fourth century, the foundation of the church was endangered by throngs of new untutored members. Identification with Jesus through the lenten fasts and practices of self-renunciation was meant to counter the paganism of these new converts. 
Lent became a time of re-commitment; a time to ward off the threat of assimilation into the popular culture.

As in earlier days, Christians today are threatened with becoming a part of the popular culture. In fact, assimilation has already occurred to such a degree that it is hard to tell what differentiates Christian faith from popular culture.
The popular celebrations of Christmas and Easter are poignant reminders of this dilemma. In addition to the annual Easter clothes, card, flower and candy blitz, attempts by business to make Easter a "Second Christmas" has spawned an Easter-oriented toy industry and a massive live-animal business, with millions of rabbits, baby chicks and ducks sold each year.
"What happened on the third day?" asked one church school teacher to a group of preschoolers one Easter morning. "The Easter bunny brought eggs," was the immediate and unequivocal reply.

We need Lent! Lent encourages us to look within ourselves to see how we have confused popular cultural values with Christian faith. 
Through a sustained focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, Lent can help us resist the pressures of this culture. Lent can remind us that we are called to continue his ministry:
"As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21). Consequently, Lent prepares us for an Easter that is more than bunnies and eggs, an Easter when we celebrate God's great act in raising Jesus from the dead.
 Adapted from a piece published by Alternatives no longer published.

The Birthday of A Whole New World

Easter is about transcendence.
It is about creating and choosing new life.
It is about new heavens and a new earth.
It is about a new way of doing religion.
It is about new joy-full living.

Today, along with Christian the world over, we celebrate Easter Sunday –
the single defining event for the faith we hold.

For the fact of the matter is that before Easter there were no Christians!
Before Easter there was no church.
Before Easter there was no Christian theology, no Christian world-view.

Easter is the birthday of a whole new world –
a whole new life –
a whole new way of living –
a whole new way of looking at the world –
a whole new religion!

Easter re-creates our cosmology,
it provides a new perspective on the order of things,
it expands our understanding of things temporal and things eternal.

In Isaiah God announces a re-creation of the
world – new heavens and a new earth,
a new relationship between God and the whole creation,
a new expression of faith,
a new Jerusalem:
a place full of joy and happiness –
"Be glad and rejoice forever in what I create" –
a place where even God will be full of joy.

e.e. cummings has an Easter expression appropriate for each one of us:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of treesand a blue true dream of sky; and for everythingwhich is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birthday of life and of love and wings: and of the gaygreat happening illimitably earth)how should tasting touching hearing seeingbreathing any -- lifted from the noof all nothing -- human merely beingdoubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake andnow the eyes of my eyes are opened)

I thank you God for this most amazing day!
I who have died am alive again today!
Now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened.

Every year now for nearly twenty centuries, Christians have been coming together at this time of year to celebrate the single most important event of their history!

Since Jesus was a Jew, and lived as a Jew,
and preached as Jew,
and spent his entire ministry among Jews,
it was quite natural for his followers to tie this Easter event with the traditional Passover Celebration.

For centuries, the Passover had been celebrated each year to remind people of their unique history and of their unique relationship with their God.
What Passover was to the Jews, Easter became to the followers of Jesus.

For truly, it wasn't until after the Resurrection that the disciple's eyes were opened and they saw for the very first time:
that what they had experienced with this man from Nazareth was indeed a whole new thing.
It wasn't until after the Resurrection that they began to call him the Christ –
and saw him to be the fulfillment of the Passover –
the promise that been made each year over and over again for centuries.

So clear was this to the early Christians, that they began to meet on the first day of each week at dawn to celebrate Easter –
the coming of the new time –
the new creation –
the new week –
remembering the fulfillment of the Passover.

Our story goes that the women went to the tomb that morning concerned about how they were going to move the stone that blocked them from doing their ministerial task with the corpse.

Even though they were concerned and anxious about it, their faith moved them on down the road just knowing that somehow the obstacle would be removed, and they could do what they needed to do.

Of course, we know, when they arrived at the tomb, the obstacle was moved all right,
but they were the first to discover,
and the first to hear,
that something very significant –
something very out of the ordinary –
had happened.

The Jesus they knew so well;
the Jesus they were friends with;
the Jesus they thought they understood;
the Jesus they lived with;
the Jesus they saw defeated and overcome;
the Jesus they watched die;
the Jesus they placed in this tomb --
their friend, Jesus of Nazareth
was much more than they ever thought or understood.

Not only was their religious practice changed significantly;
but now, the known laws of the physical universe were overcome as well.

They came to work on the corpse of Jesus –
and they heard the incredible words:
"Why look for the living here among the dead?"

This made no sense.
They saw him die.
They placed his lifeless body here in this tomb.

And again, the messenger of God spoke:
"Go back where you came from.
Go back to Galilee.
There you will find him.
Alive and well, just as he said you would."

It was the a re-creation of the world –
a new heaven and a new earth –
new definitions of life and religion –
the birthday of a whole new world –
the birthday of life and of love and wings.

Easter announces to all that the presence of Christ cannot be snuffed out.
That God transcends the boundaries of space and time.
New boundaries of our life and faith have been drawn up.
A new heaven and a new earth have been created.

There is a new Jerusalem,
a new religion wherein God and his creation are not so far apart:
Where God no longer dwells above us,
or in ark in the Temple,
or even solely in the confines of a particular person who lived in Galilee some 2000 years ago.
This is something totally new: "a new heaven and a new earth" wherein God is constantly present with us where we live our lives –
defining anew what it is to be human,
what it is to be alive,
what it is to die.

This transcendence of space between God and man,
this transcendence of time between birth and death,
this transcendence of God between heaven and earth is what is behind our celebration of Easter today.
It is what is unique about our Christianity.
It is what enables us to live fully and abundantly.
There is tremendous power at work here:
power largely unrecognized and largely untapped;
but power that can give each one of us a new lease on life.

Some of you may be familiar with the work of Bernie Siegel.
Dr. Siegel is a surgeon and works primarily with cancer patients.
For several years now, an important part of Dr. Siegel's practice and research is with what he calls "exceptional" cancer patients –
patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses –
most given a very short time to live.

Dr. Siegel sees patients sometimes individually, and most times in groups,
and helps them to choose to really live in the limited time they have left.

Time and time again, Bernie Siegel, and other doctors who are doing this now, observe something that is almost beyond belief.
Given just months or weeks to live,
facing their inevitable death, and coming to terms with their mortality,
patients, more often than not, consciously change their way of living.

Time and time again, these doctors see from that day on, these patients do only what they really want to do.
They don't let something go unsaid, because they know there may not be a tomorrow.
They became quick with hugs,
quick with "I love yous",
quick with "thank yous",
quick to show appreciation and quick with "I am truly sorry."

Once having made that choice,
and, this is the totally unbelievable part,
and until you have been there, it is so hard to understand, but we need to learn from it:
100% of his patients say that their lives are infinitely better than it was before they were diagnosed with their terminal illness.

They reported things went better for them.

Relationships with other people were more positive.

Life was more fuller, richer.

Days and time had meaning.

Each day was greeted with thanksgiving.

They had new enthusiasm for living – even though they knew their days were numbered.

And, do you know what?

Truly remarkable things happen among the patients.

Once they choose to live each day to the fullest, they actually stop dying!

Oh, they all do die.
We all do.

But, these patients all live well past the expected time limits of their disease, and they live healthier – even with their terminal illness,
and they are freer of pain during their illness.

Through Dr. Siegel and his faith in what they can do and can be, these terminally ill patients come to know what Jesus called an abundant life.

Bernie Siegel writes:
We must all confront the reality that no one lives forever.
Illness and death are not signs of failure;
what is a failure is not living.
Our goal is learning to live – joyously and lovingly.

And, you know, that is exactly what we are about here at Christ Church in Drexel Hill!
Helping people connect with these timeless truths of our faith.
Helping people live more fully, more abundantly, like Jesus said.

I have spoken of my interest in some of the findings of recent comprehensive studies of peoples' health.

One of the findings of one of the studies, hidden among many findings, and virtually ignored by the press, was this:
They found that people who go to church regularly were healthier over all than people who did not go to church regularly.

And hidden among the findings of another large study was this:
People who go to church regularly live longer than those who do not go to church regularly.

Do you hear this?
It's a fact:
People who go to church are healthier, and
people who go to church live longer, than those who don't.

Why do you suppose that is?

Because of some other studies and reading I have done, I found some clues, and I have compiled several reasons why folks who go to church live longer and are healthier than those who do not.

Scientific studies from several fields of inquiry provide evidence that there is real healing power in many of the things that we practice, and teach, and experience here in church.
In the past, I have told you about studies that prove that there is healing power in prayer,
that there is healing power in laughter,
that there is healing power in attitude,
that there is healing power in forgiveness,
that there is healing power in ritual,
that there is healing power in coming together as community,
and, today’s message is that there is healing power in transcendence.

Easter is about transcendence.
It is about creating and choosing new life.
It is about new heavens and a new earth.
It is about a new way of doing religion.
It is about new joy-full living.

Indeed, the chief characteristic of this new world ushered in at Easter is joy and happiness.

Our Scripture describes a God full of joy,
and a joy-full people living in thanksgiving for a full and abundant life.

And that's what we are about here at this church.

Christ Presbyterian Church is "A Center of Faith for Living Abundantly."

Jesus said, "I have come that you might have a fuller, more abundant life."

There are people in this room who know exactly what I am saying, and have experiences to prove it.

And the promise is made to each one of us:
You can live a better, fuller, healthier, longer, more abundant life.
God intends this for you.
And we know how.
Join us, or put another way, let us join you.

This Easter Sunday, when facing the choices all of us make every day, choose life.

Choose to live each day to the fullest.

Choose to be a part of the most powerful force in the universe: the presence of Christ in the world today.

I thank you God for this most amazing day!
I who have died am alive again today!

Amen.

The congregation of Christ Presbyterian Church in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, heard this sermon during the Easter celebration April 24, 2011.

Our Lenten Song: To Help You Prepare for Easter

Just A Closer Walk With Thee
WYNTON MARSALIS & JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA 
Municipal House, Prague, July 10, 2013

Get Ready for Lent: Remember to Take Time to Take a Time Out

Lent begins March 1.
Lent encourages us to look within ourselves to see how we have confused popular cultural values with Christian faith.  

We need Lent!

From the very earliest times, Christians took time out before Easter to reflect on their faith, cultivate it, and prepare for a most joyous celebration of Easter.

Remembering that Jesus took 40 days off to prepare for the beginning of his ministry,
the church sets aside these 40 days prior to Easter for us to get ready.

This is a time for us to explore the mysteries of the universe, looking beneath the surface – within ourselves -- examining our own motives and desires, and ascertaining exactly what our commitment is: to what, to whom, and what it means.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus went out into the desert for 40 days.
For 40 days he lived without food or, presumably water.
For 40 days he confronted his demons.
For 40 days he prayed.
For 40 days he communed with his God.

Suffice it to say, upon completion of his 40 days in the desert, Jesus had a clearer picture of his purpose in life,
of his reason for being,
of his God-given mission.
And he embarked on his course of demonstrating the reign of love on earth.

Traditionally, the church has set aside these 40 days prior to Easter as a time for personal reflection toward discovery of our purpose and renewed commitment to our faith.

Many cultures make a lot over the fasting nature of these 40 days.
Carnival is celebrated in many parts of the world the day before Lent begins as the last chance to eat meat for 40 days!
In this country Mardi Gras is celebrated in New Orleans on “fat Tuesday” – the day before the 40 day fast begins.

Today, we see these 40 days as an opportunity to attend to the parts of our lives that we often neglect.  We are challenged to open ourselves in new ways to the Spirit’s transforming power.

Because Presbyterians rebelled against all things Catholic, Lent was never celebrated in most Presbyterian churches until  recent years.  But, Lent is such a rich time.
It is an excellent opportunity for us to really focus on things that matter.

Lent is meant to remind us that the days are getting longer –
Spring is right around the corner.  
Signs of life are preparing to bud right in front of our eyes.
And,  we need to prepare ourselves to see these signs!

We need Lent!
Lent encourages us to look within ourselves to see how we have confused popular cultural values with Christian faith.
Through a sustained focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, Lent can help us resist the pressures of this culture.
Lent can remind us that we are called to continue his ministry:  "As the Father has sent me, so I send you"  (John 20:21). 
Consequently, Lent prepares us for an Easter that is more than bunnies and eggs,
an Easter that begins a whole new reality – a whole new world.

From the beginning, part and parcel of the Lenten observance has been alms giving. 
The purpose of fasting is not so much a bodily discipline as it is a sharing discipline.  Becoming aware of the needs of others, and responding to them with generous gifts of our time and talents and money are particularly transforming.

During this season, many of our Presbyterian Churches will be emphasizing our One Great Hour of Sharing as a concrete way of self-sacrifice for the needs of others. 
The discipline of a daily gift to the One Great Hour of Sharing jar is a concrete way of focusing our thoughts on our individual purpose for living.
It becomes an expression of the faith we proclaim. 

The Birthday of A Whole New World

Easter is about transcendence.
It is about creating and choosing new life.
It is about new heavens and a new earth.
It is about a new way of doing religion.
It is about new joy-full living.

Today, along with Christian the world over, we celebrate Easter Sunday –
the single defining event for the faith we hold.

For the fact of the matter is that before Easter there were no Christians!
Before Easter there was no church.
Before Easter there was no Christian theology, no Christian world-view.

Easter is the birthday of a whole new world –
a whole new life –
a whole new way of living –
a whole new way of looking at the world –
a whole new religion!

Easter re-creates our cosmology,
it provides a new perspective on the order of things,
it expands our understanding of things temporal and things eternal.

In Isaiah God announces a re-creation of the
world – new heavens and a new earth,
a new relationship between God and the whole creation,
a new expression of faith,
a new Jerusalem:
a place full of joy and happiness –
"Be glad and rejoice forever in what I create" –
a place where even God will be full of joy.

e.e. cummings has an Easter expression appropriate for each one of us:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of treesand a blue true dream of sky; and for everythingwhich is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birthday of life and of love and wings: and of the gaygreat happening illimitably earth)how should tasting touching hearing seeingbreathing any -- lifted from the noof all nothing -- human merely beingdoubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake andnow the eyes of my eyes are opened)

I thank you God for this most amazing day!
I who have died am alive again today!
Now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened.

Every year now for nearly twenty centuries, Christians have been coming together at this time of year to celebrate the single most important event of their history!

Since Jesus was a Jew, and lived as a Jew,
and preached as Jew,
and spent his entire ministry among Jews,
it was quite natural for his followers to tie this Easter event with the traditional Passover Celebration.

For centuries, the Passover had been celebrated each year to remind people of their unique history and of their unique relationship with their God.
What Passover was to the Jews, Easter became to the followers of Jesus.

For truly, it wasn't until after the Resurrection that the disciple's eyes were opened and they saw for the very first time:
that what they had experienced with this man from Nazareth was indeed a whole new thing.
It wasn't until after the Resurrection that they began to call him the Christ –
and saw him to be the fulfillment of the Passover –
the promise that been made each year over and over again for centuries.

So clear was this to the early Christians, that they began to meet on the first day of each week at dawn to celebrate Easter –
the coming of the new time –
the new creation –
the new week –
remembering the fulfillment of the Passover.

Our story goes that the women went to the tomb that morning concerned about how they were going to move the stone that blocked them from doing their ministerial task with the corpse.

Even though they were concerned and anxious about it, their faith moved them on down the road just knowing that somehow the obstacle would be removed, and they could do what they needed to do.

Of course, we know, when they arrived at the tomb, the obstacle was moved all right,
but they were the first to discover,
and the first to hear,
that something very significant –
something very out of the ordinary –
had happened.

The Jesus they knew so well;
the Jesus they were friends with;
the Jesus they thought they understood;
the Jesus they lived with;
the Jesus they saw defeated and overcome;
the Jesus they watched die;
the Jesus they placed in this tomb --
their friend, Jesus of Nazareth
was much more than they ever thought or understood.

Not only was their religious practice changed significantly;
but now, the known laws of the physical universe were overcome as well.

They came to work on the corpse of Jesus –
and they heard the incredible words:
"Why look for the living here among the dead?"

This made no sense.
They saw him die.
They placed his lifeless body here in this tomb.

And again, the messenger of God spoke:
"Go back where you came from.
Go back to Galilee.
There you will find him.
Alive and well, just as he said you would."

It was the a re-creation of the world –
a new heaven and a new earth –
new definitions of life and religion –
the birthday of a whole new world –
the birthday of life and of love and wings.

Easter announces to all that the presence of Christ cannot be snuffed out.
That God transcends the boundaries of space and time.
New boundaries of our life and faith have been drawn up.
A new heaven and a new earth have been created.

There is a new Jerusalem,
a new religion wherein God and his creation are not so far apart:
Where God no longer dwells above us,
or in ark in the Temple,
or even solely in the confines of a particular person who lived in Galilee some 2000 years ago.
This is something totally new: "a new heaven and a new earth" wherein God is constantly present with us where we live our lives –
defining anew what it is to be human,
what it is to be alive,
what it is to die.

This transcendence of space between God and man,
this transcendence of time between birth and death,
this transcendence of God between heaven and earth is what is behind our celebration of Easter today.
It is what is unique about our Christianity.
It is what enables us to live fully and abundantly.
There is tremendous power at work here:
power largely unrecognized and largely untapped;
but power that can give each one of us a new lease on life.

Some of you may be familiar with the work of Bernie Siegel.
Dr. Siegel is a surgeon and works primarily with cancer patients.
For several years now, an important part of Dr. Siegel's practice and research is with what he calls "exceptional" cancer patients –
patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses –
most given a very short time to live.

Dr. Siegel sees patients sometimes individually, and most times in groups,
and helps them to choose to really live in the limited time they have left.

Time and time again, Bernie Siegel, and other doctors who are doing this now, observe something that is almost beyond belief.
Given just months or weeks to live,
facing their inevitable death, and coming to terms with their mortality,
patients, more often than not, consciously change their way of living.

Time and time again, these doctors see from that day on, these patients do only what they really want to do.
They don't let something go unsaid, because they know there may not be a tomorrow.
They became quick with hugs,
quick with "I love yous",
quick with "thank yous",
quick to show appreciation and quick with "I am truly sorry."

Once having made that choice,
and, this is the totally unbelievable part,
and until you have been there, it is so hard to understand, but we need to learn from it:
100% of his patients say that their lives are infinitely better than it was before they were diagnosed with their terminal illness.

They reported things went better for them.

Relationships with other people were more positive.

Life was more fuller, richer.

Days and time had meaning.

Each day was greeted with thanksgiving.

They had new enthusiasm for living – even though they knew their days were numbered.

And, do you know what?

Truly remarkable things happen among the patients.

Once they choose to live each day to the fullest, they actually stop dying!

Oh, they all do die.
We all do.

But, these patients all live well past the expected time limits of their disease, and they live healthier – even with their terminal illness,
and they are freer of pain during their illness.

Through Dr. Siegel and his faith in what they can do and can be, these terminally ill patients come to know what Jesus called an abundant life.

Bernie Siegel writes:
We must all confront the reality that no one lives forever.
Illness and death are not signs of failure;
what is a failure is not living.
Our goal is learning to live – joyously and lovingly.

And, you know, that is exactly what we are about here at Christ Church in Drexel Hill!
Helping people connect with these timeless truths of our faith.
Helping people live more fully, more abundantly, like Jesus said.

I have spoken of my interest in some of the findings of recent comprehensive studies of peoples' health.

One of the findings of one of the studies, hidden among many findings, and virtually ignored by the press, was this:
They found that people who go to church regularly were healthier over all than people who did not go to church regularly.

And hidden among the findings of another large study was this:
People who go to church regularly live longer than those who do not go to church regularly.

Do you hear this?
It's a fact:
People who go to church are healthier, and
people who go to church live longer, than those who don't.

Why do you suppose that is?

Because of some other studies and reading I have done, I found some clues, and I have compiled several reasons why folks who go to church live longer and are healthier than those who do not.

Scientific studies from several fields of inquiry provide evidence that there is real healing power in many of the things that we practice, and teach, and experience here in church.
In the past, I have told you about studies that prove that there is healing power in prayer,
that there is healing power in laughter,
that there is healing power in attitude,
that there is healing power in forgiveness,
that there is healing power in ritual,
that there is healing power in coming together as community,
and, today’s message is that there is healing power in transcendence.

Easter is about transcendence.
It is about creating and choosing new life.
It is about new heavens and a new earth.
It is about a new way of doing religion.
It is about new joy-full living.

Indeed, the chief characteristic of this new world ushered in at Easter is joy and happiness.

Our Scripture describes a God full of joy,
and a joy-full people living in thanksgiving for a full and abundant life.

And that's what we are about here at this church.

Christ Presbyterian Church is "A Center of Faith for Living Abundantly."

Jesus said, "I have come that you might have a fuller, more abundant life."

There are people in this room who know exactly what I am saying, and have experiences to prove it.

And the promise is made to each one of us:
You can live a better, fuller, healthier, longer, more abundant life.
God intends this for you.
And we know how.
Join us, or put another way, let us join you.

This Easter Sunday, when facing the choices all of us make every day, choose life.

Choose to live each day to the fullest.

Choose to be a part of the most powerful force in the universe: the presence of Christ in the world today.

I thank you God for this most amazing day!
I who have died am alive again today!

Amen.

The congregation of Christ Presbyterian Church in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, heard this sermon during the Easter celebration April 24, 2011.

A Lenten Awe-robic Exercise: Sing!

Something significant happens when people sing together.


In singing together, we engage in corporate worship – it takes what each of us does here and moves it from a personal experience to a group experience.

Singing together is an awesome experience.

Singing together increases an awareness of other-ness.

That you are a part of a much larger whole –
an awareness that inspires awe.

Today we take up another Lenten Practice: Singing !!! – learn a new song.

Apparently from the very beginning, when Christians have come together, they sang songs together.

The very earliest descriptions we have of Christian meeting always include an allusion to the singing of songs together.

God's people have always been a people who sung.
Singing together is biblically commanded –
and edifying to those who participate.

You see, in singing together, we engage in corporate worship – it takes what each of us does here and moves it from a personal experience to a group experience.

Of course, at the very beginning they sang from the Psalm Book –
it contained the songs they knew –
the songs they were familiar with.
They used the Psalm Book as their hymn book –
and as their prayer book
and as their worship book.

What we have found out, and what we are quite sure of, is that something significant happens when people sing together.

One of the most profound encounters with the holy through the power of song I ever encountered was some 40 years ago.
We were living in the San Francisco area when a young man who went by the name of Donovan came to do a concert.
The concert was in the Cow Palace (a large venue like the Spectrum) – a place where the professional basketball team played, a place were large numbers of people could gather to hear a concert.

And Suzanne and I went.

There must have been 20,000 seats that night.
In the center of the room was a small stage with a single microphone on it.
When it was time, the lights went down, a voice intoned: “Ladies and gentlemen, Donovan.”
And this young man walked out alone from somewhere, through the crowd carrying a guitar.
He walked up on to the stage and sat down, cross-legged right there in the middle of the stage – in the middle of 20,000 pairs of eyes staring down at him.
And he started to sing.

And for over two hours this one man with his guitar mesmerized the crowd of 20,000 people with his songs.
The power of his music and song we experienced that night was far more powerful than what is experienced in the loud amplified staged concerts that we expect in a venue as large as the Spectrum today.

It truly was an awesome experience.

Another most profound encounter with the holy through the power of song was experience right here in Philadelphia, just a couple of years ago.
I’ve mentioned before how Suzanne and I were privileged to be among an audience of some 2500 people gathered at the Kimmel Center to hear a concert of some 650 singers from Presbyterian churches all over the Philadelphia area.
I mean, think about it – 650 voices in concert!
There had never been that many singers assembled for a concert in the Kimmel Center – before or since!
A choir of 650 people.
650 Presbyterians lending their voices in concert with the magnificent Kimmel Center mammoth pipe organ.
It was a magnificent experience.

The music of the voices and the organ filled the auditorium and moved the souls of all in attendance that day.
It was truly awesome – awe inspiring.

As I sat there with the music infusing my very being, I was glad I was there,
but I really didn’t want to be where I was.
Our seats were maybe 40 feet from the nearest singers, but I wanted to be closer.
I wanted to be there in the midst of them –
feeling their energy,
hearing their voices,
joining right in – singing for all I was worth.

After the concert I ran in to several of the choir members in the rest room line.
And, I commented that it was an awesome experience for us – and I could only imagine what it must have been like for them
to be in the midst of 649 other singers
all singing at the top of the lungs
being heard as one.

And, to a person, they all said it was the best day of their lives!
It was an awe-inspiring experience –
for the participants and for those present to hear the performance.

We all know that there are some performers that people go to see and to hear –
whose performance commands rapt attention from the those present.
And, at times, we might even feel we are in the presence of greatness when we are there.

And, there are other performers who feel that is their “job” to involve the audience in the performance.
People go to the concerts of these performers knowing the lyrics to all the songs –
and feel like they have to join in.

Suzanne and I had another experience a couple of years ago that struck a chord with me.
We were on an airplane returning to Philadelphia from one of our trips to the midwest.
Our plane had three seats on either side of the isle.
And seated in the window seat of our row, was a little old lady with snow white hair.
Almost as soon as we sat down she started talking with Suzanne.
She had never been to Philadelphia before, was flying in to visit with brother in Newark.
(I thought to myself, yeah but you’re not going to be in Newark when you get to Philadelphia.)

But, Suzanne was game so she asked the question, where are you coming from.
The woman’s face lit up as she allowed that she had just returned from a two week cruise.

Ever the trooper, Suzanne then ventured: “O, where did you go?”
The little old woman scrinched her face a bit, and said, “O I don’t know. We didn’t go anywhere, really.”
She said, “It was an Elvis cruise.”

That’s when she got my attention.

“There were twelve Elvis impersonators on board – and it was non-stop music from dawn to dusk – it was great – we didn’t care where the ship was going.”

An Elvis cruise.

Well, you can be sure that those folks on that cruise did not go on the cruise to hear Elvis impersonators.
They went because they knew all the Elvis songs and relished the opportunity to sing along with the Elvis impersonators.

Something powerful happens when you sing along.
Something powerful happens when you are in the chorus –
when people on either side of you and in front and behind you are joining their voices in song.

Pete Seeger has been on a life-long mission to go wherever he could just to engage people in song.
Like many other performers, he judges the success of his performance by getting the folks to sing along in concert with one another.
Over the years, Pete Seeger has perfected the art of getting folks to join right in singing their song.
When he first started out, Peter Seeger recognized the power of voices in song and on the front of his signature banjo he painted the words: Warning: this instrument conquers hate.

Singing together is an awesome experience.
Singing together increases an awareness of other-ness.
That you are a part of a much larger whole –
an awareness that inspires awe.

I have to believe that corporate singing is vital to what we do when we come together for this awe-robic exercise we call Christian Worship.

Occasionally, I have someone say to me, why do we sing so much at this church?
Other churches don’t sing as much as you do.
And, I think, well, that’s to their detriment.

As the song goes, we sing because we are happy.
We sing because we know we are free –
free from old baggage which tends to weigh us down.
We don’t worry if our song is not good enough for anyone else to hear.
We sing because there is inspiration in voices singing together.
We sing because it inspires awe – and that’s a good thing.
May your life go on in endless song.
May your song last your whole life long.
And let the world sing along.

Sing! Learn a new song!
It is truly an awe-robic exercise.
Amen.

This is a portion of a sermon delivered 03-21-2010 to the congregation of Christ Presbyterian Church -- a center of faith in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania

Take Time for A Time Out

Lent is a fascinating time in the church year that Presbyterians are only beginning to appreciate.

The main purpose of Lent is to encourage us to take a time out.

We are told that before Jesus began his ministry he took a time out.
He went off by himself – for 40 days – and 40 nights.

Jesus must of thought that this was completely necessary for him to do.
He did this to get his head right,
to get more completely in tune with God’s will and purpose for his life.

For centuries the church has said it was important to remember what Jesus did here,
and it important for us to take a time out as well.

Jesus took 40 days for his time out,
the church said we should take 40 days each year before Easter for our time out –
a time out from the routine of our regular normal life to consciously focus on getting our heads on right,
to get more in tune with what God is concerned about and wants for us to do with the rest of the days of our lives.

Lent is a fascinating time in the church year that Presbyterians are only beginning to appreciate.
Used to be, as you know, we never observed Lent in Presbyterian churches.
But, today we see this time as an opportunity to attend to the parts of our lives that we often neglect.
During this time before Easter we are challenged to open ourselves in new ways to the Spirit’s transforming power – not unlike Jesus did at the beginning of his ministry.

From the very earliest times, Christians took time out before Easter to reflect on their faith, cultivate it, and prepare for a most joyous celebration of Easter.

Remembering that Jesus took 40 days off to prepare for the beginning of his ministry, the church sets aside these 40 days prior to Easter for us to get ready.

This is a time for us to explore the mysteries of the universe,
looking beneath the surface –
within ourselves –
examining our own motives and desires,
and ascertaining exactly what our commitment is:
to what,
to whom,
and what it means.

Lent is meant to remind us that the days are getting longer now –
Spring is right around the corner here in the Northern Hemisphere.
Actually, the word Lent comes from an ancient word that meant "springtime," –
that period of the calendar during which the days lengthen.
Because the church season always fell at that time of year, the name came to apply there as well.

Although we can’t readily see it buried under 2 feet of snow, all around us new life is preparing to break out as the weather turns.
Signs of life are preparing to bud right before our eyes.
And, our task during this season is to prepare ourselves to see these signs when they occur.

Like I have said before, I believe we need Lent!

Lent encourages us to look within ourselves to see how we have confused popular cultural values with Christian faith.
Through sustained focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, Lent can help us resist the pressures of this culture.
Lent can remind us that we are called to continue his ministry:
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

Consequently, Lent prepares us for an Easter that is more than bunnies and eggs –
an Easter that begins a whole new reality –
a whole new world.

As you know, 40 days is almost a sacred number with strong Old Testament associations.
40 days seems to be a long time when you think about it.
[It is more than the 30 days we get to accept the special offer of the day that is in our daily mail.]
It seems that God is saying:
“take up to forty days to decide –
40 days to make up your mind –
which side are you going to be on.”

The Gospels say Jesus was given 40 days to decide whose side his life would be spent on.
40 days to come to a decision to align with God or accept the worldly enticements of the Devil that would have derailed his mission.

40 days seems to be God's time for allowing significant decisions to be made.
Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days getting the 10 commandments.
Elijah spent 40 days in the wilderness encountering God.
An extended time was given people of Noah's time to make up their mind before it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
The 40 days of Lent gives us sufficient time to make up our minds again:
to decide for life – or death,
to decide for God – or the ways of the world
around us.

For me, when we get beyond the familiar outward trappings, the main purpose of Lent is to encourage us to take a time out.

For us with our total dependence upon clocks and schedules and appointments and meetings and deadlines, taking time for a time out is probably the most difficult thing any of us could be called upon to do.

And yet, here it is.
The call goes out each year during this time before Easter,
and our response is usually no more than an acknowledgment of a quaint – if not somewhat ancient, antiquated tradition – that we may give a passing nod to in church,
but having very little to do with anything in our home, or at work, or how we spend our time.

Most of the days of our lives we are pretty much self absorbed in our lives and our obligations and our health and perhaps in the caring for another or two or three or four or . . .

We live in response to stimuli from outside of ourselves.

Lent calls us to take time for a time out from all of that.

Take time now – just commit to only 40 days – this time leading up to Easter –
take time each day to focus on something other than on what we usually spend our time on.

It is important to take the time.
Jesus did it.
Moses did it.
Isaiah did it.
Many many others did it.
And, today many many others are doing it.
You can do it as well.

Traditionally, Biblically, there are some specific things we can do with this time,
but it what we do is of less importance than to commit to taking the time –
to get closer with our God.

The pattern is,
the experience is,
the promise is,
that when we do,
we become more aware of God’s presence
and more aware of God’s purpose
and more aware of what we are to do with the rest of the days of our lives.

And, of course, that’s the scarey part, isn’t it?
Because we’re not sure we want to discover that we should be doing something we aren’t doing, right?

For years I have been compiling a file of stories of people who after a time out,
changed the direction of their lives because it became clearer to them that this is what God would be having them do.
It’s a thick file containing many many stories.
Someday it would be worth sharing in some way just to see the stories one after the other after an other after an other.

Taking time for a time out can have a powerful affect on a person.
Norman Vincent Peale – and many other preachers – was convinced that by taking time out to concentrate on certain scripture lessons, folks could experience a power and wholeness and wellness that they never knew possible.

Of course, I think that, too.
Each Sunday between now and Easter, I will be focusing on specific practices that have proven to put us more in tune with the ultimate power and purpose of the universe.
Aligning our lives with the moral direction of the universe is probably the most primal of all our activities –
and that is something we cannot do with a compass or a clock.
It is something we can only do in a community like this one.

For your sake, each day during this time before Easter, take time for a time out.
And be here next week as we explore certain practices proven to lead us in the right direction.
Amen.

This is a portion of a sermon delivered from the pulpit of Christ Presbyterian Church in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, USA, on February 28, 2010, by Clyde E. Griffith.

A Lenten Awe-roebic Exercise: Pray (Preferably in Private)

We need more awe-robic exercise in our world.

We meet God daily in all we do and all we see.

All we have to do is to open ourselves to God's welcoming Presence.
When we do that, we have begun to pray.


So, here we are: now the fourth Sunday in Lent.

In just two weeks we will be remembering and celebrating Palm Sunday
Easter is now just three weeks away!

Of course, Christians have been remembering and celebrating the Resurrection – Easter – since day one.
It is the single most important event of our faith.
It is the defining moment – of our faith,
of our understanding of the world,
of our lives.

It was an event that was truly awe-inspiring to all those who experienced it.
It was awe-inspiring to all those were told of it, as well.
It was so awe-inspiring that grown men and women turned their lives around
and started living for a cause far grander than the empire,
and far more intimate than the family.

But, as Lily Tomlin noted, today, you and I seem to living a world that devalues inspiration,
and arouses little awe in us.
So, she concludes, and I agree with, we need more awe-robic exercise in our world.

And, so that really what we’re about here during these days of Lent, this time before Easter.
We are about promoting certain Lenten Practices, Awe-Robic exercises, really.

We began with the admonition to Take Time to Observe Lent.
We were encouraged to do like Jesus did,
take some 40 days to think about the big picture.
Spend 40 days to become more aware of the awe-someness of the world around us.
We were encouraged to start a daily awe-list – at the end of each to think back on what was truly awesome, to recount the awe-inspiring events of the day.

Last week, we heard about another Lenten Practice: Fasting.
Fasting can be a real eye opener – it was for Jesus,
it was for countless individuals throughout history,
and it is for many people today.
But, we discovered that what we think of as fasting is not the same as what God sees as important.
It is when we fast as God instructs us, that our eyes are opened in new ways as awe events literally explode before us.

And so, today, we hear about another Lenten Practice: Pray (Preferably In Private).

James wrote:
The prayer of a good person has a powerful affect.
The Apostle Paul left us a clue when he said: Pray Unceasingly.
Jesus gave specific instruction:
When you pray, do not be ostentatious, like the hypocrites!
Do it in private and don't use a lot of meaningless words.
(God already knows what you need before you ask.)
If you forgive others, you will be forgiven.

Maybe you saw the cartoon in the funny papers:
Two little kids were standing there in their pajamas beside their bed with a toy telephone between them.
One is instructing the other in the finer arts of saying their bedtime prayers.
He says: "Now, remember you don't have to worry about God being too busy when you call, because God has "Call Waiting".

And you don't have to worry about nobody being home, because God has "Call Forwarding".

And remember, it's always a Toll Free Call.

And God never puts anyone "On Hold."

Don't hang up, your call will be answered in the order in which it is received.

And Operators are standing by ready for your call."

And that's about it, isn't it?

Again, James proclaims, what most of you in this room know: The prayer of a good person has a powerful affect.

Over 6000 scientific studies have been published in the last ten years!

Over half of these studies show under laboratory-controlled conditions, prayer does something truly remarkable. My file of references gets thicker every year!

While the belief that prayer heals is older than recorded history, you should know about some of this very recent research.
I have talked about some of these studies before, but just a few months ago, Time Magazine had cover stories on the power of faith to heal.

Universities all over the country – and all over the world – are devoting major efforts to document what people of faith have believed for years and years.
The University of Pennsylvania has a whole department dedicated to the study of Spirituality and the Mind.

Of particular interest to me is the discovery that it can be demonstrated that prayer actually invokes changes the brain – and some of these changes can be permanent.
Prayer actually improves memory – Time Magazine, February 23, 2009, Dr. Andrew Newberg, How God Changes Your Brain.

One study at the University of Virginia, showed that orthopedic patients in the hospital that were visited by chaplains needed less medical care than those that weren't visited by chaplains.
They made fewer calls to the nurse for help,
they got out of the hospital an average of two days earlier than those who didn't receive spiritual support,
And they needed much much less pain medication, than those who never saw a chaplain.

Another study was done among coronary patients in a VA hospital near Boston.
Patients were undergoing care for heart attack and chronic heart disease, and endured bypass operations, valve replacements, and open heart surgery.
An experimental group was selected randomly to receive daily visits from a chaplain.
The other group received less frequent visits, or none at all.
Again, those who received regular care from a pastor, went home one or two days sooner than those who did not.
Now, the VA attached some dollars and sense to this study, and concluded that providing a chaplain visit for a patient cost no more than $100 a day, and resulted in savings as much as $4000 a day.
Total savings from a robust and prayerful chaplain's program could amount to several million dollars a year for each hospital.

Another study was done at a hospital in San Francisco (General Hospital) of people who were admitted to the coronary care unit suffering congestive heart failure, heart attack, low blood pressure and other heart problems.

Half of these patients were assigned to a group of regular churchgoers who were asked to pray regularly for the health and recovery of the patients – whom they never met.

None of the patients, none of the doctors, none of the nurses, knew they were on anyone's prayer list. And what they found out was startling:

● The patients that were prayed for were far less likely to require antibiotics – they had fewer infections from their surgery.

● None of those who were being prayed for needed help with breathing while a dozen of the patients who were not prayed for required mechanical breathing support following the surgery,

● and (Fewer of those chosen for prayer died – but the difference wasn't statistically significant.)

The results of this study caused quite a stir when they were published in the Southern Medical Journal.
One physician at the time wrote: "Maybe we doctors ought to be writing on our order sheets, 'Pray three times a day.'"

I am sure that if this study went one step further, and told the patients they were being prayed for, the results would have been even more dramatic.
As some of you know from your experience, there is something invigorating knowing that you are being prayed for.
Knowing that you are connected to a network of prayers is buoying to your soul – and it brings peace and confidence.

Prayer works.

The prayer of a good person has a powerful affect.

Measurements show that a hospital visit by a pastor reduces stress hormones, produces a calming effect, and stimulates the production of endorphins in the patient.

Now, understand what is being said here.
Bad things happen to good people.
Good people get ill.
Bodies wear out.
Good people die.
But, prayer lets you face your illness squarely, actually producing a strength in your body and psyche to face your situation and get through it.
Prayer prepares you for what is to come.

The prayer of a good person has a powerful affect.

It may not change the situation we find ourselves in and it may not give us the miracle we want,
but what happens is, prayer changes us.
As one writer put it well, "Through prayer, we find inner resources of strength and hope and courage we didn't know we had.

Through prayer we are no longer facing our fears and pains alone;
God is there beside us,
renewing our spirit,
restoring our soul,
and helping us carry the burden when it becomes too heavy for us to bear."

Prayer has a powerful affect:
on our bodies, on our minds, on our lives.

To really clue in, to really experience change,
to really know what prayer can do for us, Paul tells us, to "Pray unceasingly."

But, what does that mean?

Standing at a prayer wall all day from morning to night?
Kneeling at the foot of the cross 24 hours a day?
Reciting a mantra over and over and over again?
No.
Pray unceasingly means to live in a state of prayerfulness.

Wherever you are,
whatever you are doing,
whatever is going on around you,
know that God is with you,
and is in conversation with you –
helping you through the events,
guiding the way,
providing strength and support you know you never had alone.

I’ve mentioned it before, and many people have no idea what I’m talking about, but I will try again:
In a very real way, my prayer mentor is Tevye.
Do you remember Fiddler on the Roof?
In this marvelous story, you remember the old man, the papa, Tevye, was constantly talking to God.
There was a comedic effect as he constantly was getting his Bible facts confused, but Tevye is depicted as being in constant prayer with the Almighty.
He prayed when he delivered his milk,
he prayed when his wife got on his nerves,
he prayed when he rejoiced with a daughter,
he prayed when he met people.

Prayer helped him get through the difficulties and tragedies and joys of his life.
O, for sure, God didn't "smite him with riches" as he jokingly talked to God about, but Tevye didn't really expect that to happen.

The point is: there was never a moment when Tevye did not know that God was with him.

Tevye was sure and certain of his relationship with God.
And Tevye gives clues to us as well.

There is an ancient parable that speaks to our situation.

There was a bunch of fish swimming in the sea.
And this rather young fish swam up to an older and wiser-looking fish and asked, "Excuse me, but I have heard of this wonderful place called the Ocean where all manner of living creatures and colorful things live?
I have decided to go there where life is much richer.
I have been searching everywhere.
But I can’t seem to find the way.
Can you help me?"

The older fish said, "Son, This is it! You're in the ocean now.
It doesn't get any better than this. This is the ocean."

The young fish put his nose up, and said, "Silly old man, what do you know.
This is only water. I'm looking for the ocean."
And off he swam to continue his search.

It takes a wise fish indeed to perceive the ocean in which it lives.
Not knowing a life outside the ocean, it is hard for it to see the environment in which it lives.
Like the fish, whose relationship with the ocean is a given, so is our relationship with God.

God surrounds us with love every moment of our life.

There is power in this love.
And there is a standing offer of friendship and communication on God's side.
All we have to do is risk believing in the offer and open ourselves to God's welcoming Presence. When we do that, we have begun to pray.

As Tevye did.

As James did.

As Paul did.

As Jesus did.

Prayer can take many forms – sometimes we attempt to communicate in a communal way, like we do here in church;
sometimes we attempt to communicate in a personal way behind closed doors;
sometimes we attempt to communicate in a traditional way by using words that have inspired people through the ages.

But, praying unceasingly means doing it right in the midst of our daily activities.
Whether we are writing a letter, playing golf,
talking with someone on the telephone,
bandaging a bruised knee,
or challenging an unjust policy,
we make it all prayerful by recognizing the presence of God with us in what we do,
when we do it, where we do it.

Our prayer can start from our work,
the important relationships of our lives,
the things we wonder at,
the restlessness and loneliness of our hearts,
our experiences of success and satisfaction,
a painful conversation, a recent gift of love.

We meet God daily in all we do and all we see.
Our prayer rises spontaneously in the presence of mountains or sea,
in park or woods,
at sunrise or sunset,
on fishing and camping trips,
at the sight of beautiful flowers, birds, animals, or persons.

Enjoying something fully – even something as basic as food, drink, a bath or shower, a hug, a nap – if it is done with an awareness of God – can be prayer.

When we understand this basic truth about prayer, few people can walk away un-awed by the relationship and the power that resides within that relationship.

That’s what prayer is.

And that’s why it is an important part of our Lenten Awe-Robic exercise program.

You won’t want to miss next week for part 5 of our Lenten Awe-Robic exercise program.
Amen.

This is a portion of a sermon delivered to the congregation of Christ Presbyterian Church, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, USA, on March 14, 2010, by the Reverend Clyde E. Griffith.

During Lent This Year:

Fast from fear;
      Feast on faith.
Fast from despair;
      Feed on hope.
Fast from depressing news;
      Feed on prayer.
Fast from discontent;
      Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger and worry;
      Feed on patience.
Fast from negative thinking;
     Feast on positive thinking.
Fast from bitterness;
      Feed on love and forgiveness.
Fast from words that wound;
      Feast on words that heal.
Fast from gravity;
      Feed on joy and humor.
Fast from gossip;
      Feast on the Gospels.
Fast from junk foods;
      Feast on the Bread of Life.
Fast from bad news;
      Feast on “The Good News.”
Fast from darkness;
      Feast on the Light.
Fast from the secular;
      Feast on the sacred.
Fast from despair;
      Feast on hope.
Fast from revenge;
      Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from tears of sorrow;
      Feast on tears of joy.
Fast from getting;
      Feast on giving.
Fast from complexities;
      Feast on simplicities.
Fast from horror;
      Feast on humor.
Fast from listlessness;
      Feast on laughter.

Let No One Suspect

Jesus warns against us doing all pietistic acts in public:
when you pray, go off by yourself and shut the door – and by the way, stop using all those empty phrases.
When you give alms – do it in secret, don’t even let one hand know what the other is doing.
When you fast – that is to say
when you work to break the chains of injustice,
or to get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
or to free the oppressed,
or when you share your food with the hungry,
or when you invite the homeless poor into your homes,
or when you put clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
or when you are available to your own families –
do it on your own time.

These are not things you seek publicity for.
These are not things you should call attention to.
For sure, these things are to be done –
but do it under the radar.
Wash your face and comb your hair.
Let know one suspect.

I think it is clear that we need to pay more attention to these admonitions.
This is essential to the faith that has been passed on to us.
We can choose to ignore it – to our peril.
Or, we can take it to heart and spend these 40 days in Lent to deepen our faith and how it impacts our life – who we are and what we do.

Check it out.

Doing Kosher Acts of Faith

When Jesus addressed the crowd about correct methods of righteousness, everyone knew what he was talking about.

They knew about the three legs on the stool of righteous living.

These days we don’t like to read this passage –
the only time it is brought up in the Lectionary is for Ash Wednesday services.
So folks that never go to Ash Wednesday services never have an occasion to hear this in church, unless their pastor is somewhat eclectic in his or her approach to Scripture.
But, we need to hear these words.

He said: “It is good to put the disciplines of godly living into practice.”
Jesus assumes you will be praying – and even tells you how.
Jesus assumes you will give alms.
Jesus assumes you will fast –
But, he warns about making a show of things when you do these acts of faith –
these acts of godly living.

In fact, Jesus says it is not kosher to do faith acts for show.

Fasting has nothing to do with diet.

Time and time again the prophets and Jesus reminded people in the past –
and reminds us today –
fasting has nothing to do with diet.

Of course, it is a lot easier for us to think that.
But, Micah tells us, Jeremiah tells us, Jesus tells us – what Isaiah tells us:
"The kind of fasting I want is this:
Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.
Share your food with the hungry
and open your homes to the homeless poor.
Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear,
and do not refuse to help your own relatives.”Or, as one translator puts it:
"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.”

Time and time again, folks went astray and thought fasting had something to do with diet –
self-deprivation was a whole lot easier to deal with than what the prophets and Jesus said God has in mind.
Fasting has to do with living your faith –
putting flesh on what you say you believe –
enacting your belief.

Remembering to Take Time to Take a Time Out

Lent begins February 10th.
Lent encourages us to look within ourselves to see how we have confused popular cultural values with Christian faith.  

We need Lent!

From the very earliest times, Christians took time out before Easter to reflect on their faith, cultivate it, and prepare for a most joyous celebration of Easter.

Remembering that Jesus took 40 days off to prepare for the beginning of his ministry,
the church sets aside these 40 days prior to Easter for us to get ready.

This is a time for us to explore the mysteries of the universe, looking beneath the surface – within ourselves -- examining our own motives and desires, and ascertaining exactly what our commitment is: to what, to whom, and what it means.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus went out into the desert for 40 days.
For 40 days he lived without food or, presumably water.
For 40 days he confronted his demons.
For 40 days he prayed.
For 40 days he communed with his God.

Suffice it to say, upon completion of his 40 days in the desert, Jesus had a clearer picture of his purpose in life,
of his reason for being,
of his God-given mission.
And he embarked on his course of demonstrating the reign of love on earth.

Traditionally, the church has set aside these 40 days prior to Easter as a time for personal reflection toward discovery of our purpose and renewed commitment to our faith.

Many cultures make a lot over the fasting nature of these 40 days.
Carnival is celebrated in many parts of the world the day before Lent begins as the last chance to eat meat for 40 days!
In this country Mardi Gras is celebrated in New Orleans on “fat Tuesday” – the day before the 40 day fast begins.

Today, we see these 40 days as an opportunity to attend to the parts of our lives that we often neglect.  We are challenged to open ourselves in new ways to the Spirit’s transforming power.

Because Presbyterians rebelled against all things Catholic, Lent was never celebrated in most Presbyterian churches until  recent years.  But, Lent is such a rich time.
It is an excellent opportunity for us to really focus on things that matter.

Lent is meant to remind us that
the days are getting longer –
Spring is right around the corner.  Signs of life are preparing to bud right in front of our eyes.
And,  we need to prepare ourselves to see these signs!

We need Lent!
Lent encourages us to look within ourselves to see how we have confused popular cultural values with Christian faith.
Through a sustained focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, Lent can help us resist the pressures of this culture.
Lent can remind us that we are called to continue his ministry:  "As the Father has sent me, so I send you"  (John 20:21). 
Consequently, Lent prepares us for an Easter that is more than bunnies and eggs,
an Easter that begins a whole new reality – a whole new world.

From the beginning, part and parcel of the Lenten observance has been alms giving. 
The purpose of fasting is not so much a bodily discipline as it is a sharing discipline.  Becoming aware of the needs of others, and responding to them with generous gifts of our time and talents and money are particularly transforming.

During this season, many of our Presbyterian Churches will be emphasizing our One Great Hour of Sharing as a concrete way of self-sacrifice for the needs of others. 
The discipline of a daily gift to the One Great Hour of Sharing jar is a concrete way of focusing our thoughts on our individual purpose for living.
It becomes an expression of the faith we proclaim. 

A Time to Think of Things Spiritual

Traditionally, Christians have taken time before Easter to think on things spiritual.

Taking clues from Jesus who before beginning his ministry took a 40 day hiatus, the church has set aside this amount of time during this season when the days lengthen to concentrate on how the faith we profess affects the life we lead.

Through the years, people have used different tools to encourage such thoughts. 

Recalling that the Bible says that Jesus fasted for 40 days, many people choose a form of that to help place them in the proper mindset to receive and perceive spiritual thoughts.

The idea of “giving something up” for Lent became a substitute for an all-out fast for Westerners living in an increasingly secular society.

But, we all know that negative behavior in itself does little to stimulate Spiritual thoughts.  And, far more important than giving up something for Lent is a proactive behavior specifically designed to encourage thoughts about our faith and the life we lead.

And, so each of us is encouraged to do something specific during this time before Easter:

    •   read a book,  (Meeting  Jesus Again for the First Time, by Marcus Borg, will certainly  generate thoughts and stimulate conversation with others)

    •  use a daily devotional guide to help stimulate your thoughts, (if you already  use one on a regular basis,  add another specifically designed to stimulate new thoughts for the season.)
 
    • pray (set aside a certain time each day,  or place a post-it-note with the word “PRAY” on your computer or in a prominent place to remind you that the proper time to pray is any time, all the time)

    • do something for others  you  have not done before (perhaps write a note to             people on  your Christmas card list –  just think what the recipient  will think  when they hear from  you from “out of the blue”,   so to speak)

    • Come to church every Sunday  until Easter 

Whatever you choose to do, I encourage you to choose to do something during this season. 

You will find your faith stimulated and your life enhanced.

This season, this Lent, can be of tremendous significance to you – if you let it, if you participate in it.

Easter! March 27 this year.

The most important event for Christians the world over.

Easter is of such importance that the Church has set aside 40 days before for folks to prepare themselves and get ready for a proper celebration on March 27. 

This season is called Lent and begins with Ash Wednesday, February 10 this year.

We at NewCelebrations believe that this year could be the most meaningful Easter you, your family, and your congregation have ever had.

Take a look at resources being offered to stimulate your thinking.

And let us know what you will be doing - or what you have done - to prepare for a more meaningful Easter this year. 

  

10 Tips for a Simpler More Meaningful Easter

1. Plan ahead. Instead of going on auto-pilot, hold a family meeting to decide what the group really wants to do and who’s going to do what. Observe Lent for 40 days before Easter, possibly with a study/action/prayer guide or calendar.

2. Focus on relationships with family, friends and other people, and with God, rather that on “stuff.” Spend your time, energy and money nurturing people, not things.

3. For a symbol of Easter, look to Jesus’ resurrection. Bunnies, eggs and candy have been taken over by commerce. Do they tell the story you want to tell? Let’s tell the real stories of our faith and values. Reserve fertility rites for the first day of Spring, March 21st; Earth Day, April 22nd or May Day, May 1st.

4. Avoid debt and gluttony. Refuse to be pressured by advertising to over spend or over eat. Build community with a meal of mostly locally produced food – planned, prepared and cleaned up by the whole family.

5. Avoid stress. Give to yourself. Don’t assume that things have to be the same way they’ve always been. Make changes slowly but persistently. Don’t try to change everything and everybody all at once. The resistance may make you feel defeated and lonely.

6. If you need to give gifts, give appropriate ones. Get to know the recipient. Give what they want to receive, not what you want to buy. Give children one thing they really want, rather than many gifts. Set a price ceiling. Put gifts out shortly before
opening them. Then take turns opening them, not all at once, so that each gift can be admired and each giver thanked.

7. Give alternative gifts. Give at least 25% of what you spend to the needy… individuals or groups locally, nationally or internationally.

8. Give of yourself, not just “stuff” – a coupon book for future services (such as baby-sitting or an “enchanted evening”) or something baked, sewn, handmade, composed, etc. Consider more time for volunteering rather than entertainment. If you need to give cards, make your own.

9. If you need to buy gifts and clothing, buy those from developing countries at alternative gift markets, not from commercial importers, so that the artisans receive a fair price for their work. Avoid mass produced knickknacks, novelties and toys. Fancy,
expensive clothes are signs of status, not respect for God. In church they show an inappropriate blend of culture and faith. Decline to compliment people for their finery. Avoid the “ritual display of plenty” characteristic of the Easter fashion parades prevalent earlier in the century.

10. Choose simplicity of decoration over extravagance, for example, one modest, well-placed display instead of dozens of lilies in church or home. Avoid plastic and imported flowers and trimming.

Note:  This article originally appeared in Alternatives for Simple Living, in 1999 - a publication no longer available.