February: From Epiphany to Lent

labyrinth and peace pole and bench

The month of February 2021 spans two seasons in the liturgical church: Epiphany and Lent. The Season of Epiphany began January 6, as we celebrated the magi’s gifts to the Christ child. The name Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance.” The season celebrates the light of Christ going out to the world – the whole world. The manifestations of that church is as wide as varied as the people who comprise our beautiful planet. How can you help share the light in a new way this month?

The season of Lent is, to my mind, the most unusual season of all. Advent, Christmas, & Epiphany are filled with expectation, warmth, and wonder. Easter is full of joy. The Day of Pentecost is filled with excitement. Ordinary Time (the time between Pentecost Sunday and Advent) describes much of my life — ordinary.

But Lent is different; it’s a paradox. On the one hand, it is a quieter, more subdued season. The music is softer, the words are measured, the faces are reflective, the ashes linger. On the other hand, the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter is the most intense Christian time of all as we explore deep questions like:

· What does it mean to be me?
· What does God want me to do with my life?
· How do I become a better person?

Lent is also a time for the church to meditate upon the meaning of the cross in Christian faith and life. The height and depth of Easter joy is directly proportional to the intensity of our awareness of the cross. To help us begin our journey to the cross, we will be gathering virtually with our sister churches on Wednesday, Feb. 17, for Ash Wednesday. We will gather virtually with them again on Maundy Thursday, April 1, and on Good Friday, on April 2.

In whatever the manifestations we gather (virtually, over the phone, via written pieces), I am glad to be journeying with you. Namaste.

Shalom, Paul