Do you remember Lent 2020, at the beginning of the COVID pandemic shutdown? We joked that it was "the Lentiest Lent ever". We had no idea of just how much more Lenty Lent could get...
Maybe you're feeling like me: overwhelmed, anxious (okay downright terrified), paralyzed, powerless, wondering where to find hope.
If you are, then maybe Lent really is the right season for us right now, after all.
I preached on the Transfiguration last Sunday, and I noticed for the first time, that the transfiguration of Jesus itself, is actually not the climax of the story! The climax, as far as I can tell, when Elijah and Moses leave, and the cloud descends, and the disciples are terrified.
Then, the Voice says, "This is my Beloved, my Chosen. Listen to him!"
God's voice and power, promise and presence, are made known not only in the brilliance, in the glowing, in the radiance. But also, just as crucially, in the middle of the cloud, in the moment of terror and confusion.
We know we are in for a rough ride, politically, economically, ecologically. The clouds are looming over us, and the rest of creation.
And, it turns out, that is exactly where God speaks to us, to reassure us, and to call us, to listen to Jesus.
Yesterday I woke up anxious, scrolled the news feed, raced to the office, and immediately had a chocolate emergency. I hustled to my local indie coffee shop down the street before my first Zoom meeting, stepping in dog poop on the way, and blurted out ALL of that to the barista behind the counter.
They took a deep breath, looked so kindly at me, and said, "You know, all of that (waving hands around), is not in your control, right? What is in your control? Your family, your friends, your neighbourhood, your community, your actions." Then they went on to invite me to a training they were holding the next day on civil disobedience.
This beautiful person really was the voice of God for me yesterday, when I was spiralling, and I left not only with my London Fog and pain au chocolat, but with a renewed sense of hope, community and trust that I was not alone in all of this.
I pray that this Lent, God will make themself known to you too, in large and small ways. I pray that you will be opened to the presence of God, in the moments of brilliance, and in the cloud of tumult, anxiety, and distress. And, I pray that we may be channels of God's voice and presence to one another, when we are feeling overwhelmed.
Knowing you may be embarking on book studies, discussion groups, special liturgy, and more for this Lenten season, you are in my prayers – for strength, sustenance, and deep peace, on the road to Jerusalem.
Deep blessings in this hard, holy, life-giving season ahead,
Michelle
