Lent is all about time in the wilderness. Jesus is not only with us in our wilderness, he has gone through it, and is there to show us the way. What is that way? As Bishop Curry says, the way is to “Love God. Love your neighbor. And, while you’re at it love yourself.” What more could I need to remember while I am out here in the wilderness? I do not have to do everything. I do not have to give up caffeine and sugar and flour to have a Holy Lent. I do not have to take on a load of things to have a Holy Lent. What do I need to do? I need to love God—daily and completely.
Thankfully, I have a relationship with God and I already love God. I rely on God and I rest in God’s love for me. The awesome thing about our love is that God is always present for me, always listens to me and always wants what is best for me. How could anything be better than that? I do not always understand God’s ways. I am not meant to. However, God always listens to my cares and concerns. God realizes I am a work in progress and does not give up on me. Now, in my practice of loving God I could add something to my daily rituals that would impact our relationship. It could be a special prayer I say daily or a special intention for which I pray. That is a good start for my wilderness journey. I am working on my relationship with God.
Now, on to what I can do for my neighbor? Again, it does not have to be a big thing. Well, St. Michael’s collects Styrofoam for recycling. I can gather up my Styrofoam and take it to the church. That is definitely helping the world. I can make sure I wear my mask if I go out and make sure to maintain an appropriate distance from others; these are little things, but they are important and help me to respect the dignity of other human beings. Isn’t that what loving your neighbor is all about? I pray that as Jesus travels with me on this journey that he shows me more ways and times I can love my neighbor.
And, finally, while I’m at it, I will work on loving myself. This, to be honest, used to be the hardest for me to do but it is getting better. Accepting God’s love for me helps me to accept that I am love-able and should be loved. So, to love myself I am going to be caring and compassionate to myself along this journey. This past year has been difficult for all of us, and a little compassion goes a long way to making things better everywhere. That is how I am going to travel through my Lenten journey this year—with Jesus to show me the way, infused with love. I pray that God is with you during your Lenten journey and all that you are and do.
The Rev. Ann Murray
St. Michael’s and All Angels, Norman