Maybe it's because I feel like I've been living that other kind of Lent for so long even when it wasn't Lent that this year Lent is speaking to me in an entirely different way. I don't know, but I love it! It started on Ash Wednesday when I remembered and then preached that not only were we wearing ashes on our head symbolizing mourning, mortality, and penance, but they were in the SHAPE OF A CROSS. A cross on our foreheads symbolizing we belong to Christ--sealed and marked as Christ's own forever at our baptism and reminded on Ash Wednesday. We belong to, are beloved children of God, now that's happy stuff! (Please tell me someone else giggled just a little bit reading the Gospel admonishing us to beware of practicing piety before others right before we had ashes put on our foreheads to be seen by everyone throughout the day....)
Then on the first Sunday of Lent as I chanted the Great Litany. (yes, I did and not only that, I did a decent job if I do say so myself, and my husband said so too! He came in late and wondered who it was chanting...I'm okay with the fact he was surprised it was me; I was too!) As I chanted every line came alive to me in a way it never has before. I was overwhelmed with a peace that despite the sins of the world God is indeed in control and God is actively participating with us on a daily basis in all that we do so that the Kingdom of God will continue to break through.
So much joy!!!
But perhaps what has given me the greatest joy this year is Lent Madness. I've participated for five years, but this year it has taken on a deeper meaning for me. (Not to mention it is great fun talking Saint smack with my parishioners. Being on the V Show on ESPN wasn't too bad either--don't you think I should be a regular guest? Let's get that vote going...) Anyway, this year Lent Madness has helped me to grow in my hope for the world. This year I am reminded every day that individuals--flawed individuals, individuals with sketchy pasts, individuals others considered worthless, individuals who were just living their lives where they were in the best way they could, have made a difference in the world and so I am strengthened and inspired to try to do the same in this little corner of Louisville Kentucky where I live and work and play.
For example (you knew I'd have examples) Moses the Black--as my friend and senior warden said, "That was one bad dude!" He was the leader of a gang of bandits terrorizing the Nile Valley and HE CHANGED!!! Why is that hope for today? I'm so glad you asked. Back in the 4th century there were gangs, there are gangs today. Back in the 4th century a leader of a gang was changed and then went on to become a spiritual leader (and to defeat John Wycliffe which did not make me or my bracket happy). Hope my friends, hope! People can and do change even people we think are hopeless, are too terrible to change, people we in our humanity write off as just bad people, they can change---I've added praying for members of gangs to my daily prayers.
Or how about David Oakerhater a Native American warrior and spiritual leader who became an artist and Episcopal deacon. Oakerhater was taken captive during the Red River War. Captain Pratt, who was in charge of the prisoners, wanted to assimilate the Native Americans into mainstream society and have them totally give up their culture. But guess what!?!!?! As he got to know the prisoners and as trust was built, HE CHANGED HIS MIND!!! He changed his mind and he convinced his superiors. Over time the Native Americans, led by Oakerhater, taught the townspeople about their culture, art and dance and the townspeople taught them. Hope, hope hope!!!! People can change; cultures can learn to live together even enhancing one another's lives. That's not somber, that's exciting!!!
One of my favorites is Amelia Bloomer (I have her going all the way to the finals where she alas will be defeated...). Why do I love her? Well because she's awesome of course (minus that whole temperance movement thing--I am living in the great state of Kentucky which in addition to basketball has some of the finest bourbon...), but I love her because she was a major proponent of all women's rights and although this is not her only or perhaps anywhere close to her most important work--she cared about women's fashion and even more importantly, at least to me, she believed women should be able to wear what they want! YEAH!!!! I can wear what I want and my beloved grandmother can rest in peace knowing her warning to me right before she died to "not become a dowdy priest or I will haunt you" wasn't necessary--Amelia Bloomer said so!!
But the Golden Halo--Franz Jaegerstaetter of Austria. Born to a chamber maid mother and a farmer father, Franz was a little on the wild side as a teen. (Some would say I should be able to identify with that...I plead the fifth). I suspect he just pushed the bar a little further than most. When he became an adult, he married, had 3 children very quickly (I can definitely identify with that), and was a farmer and miner. Ordinary stuff, BUT WAIT!!!! He was the only one in his village to vote against uniting with Germany and he remained openly anti-Nazi--even his priest and bishop wouldn't stand up against the Nazis, but Franz did--this young man with a checkered past who lived an ordinary life doing ordinary things, made a stand for what he believed was right even though he stood alone. He was called to active duty and refused to fight for the Third Reich. Again his priest tried to get him to change his mind knowing if he didn't he would be executed, but again this ordinary man living an ordinary life did something extraordinary--he stood his ground and for that he was killed.
Franz encourages me; Franz inspires me to want to make a difference. Franz lived in a little village and lived his faith right where he was. He didn't go to a big rally; he didn't need a pulpit; he didn't need a posse of supporters telling him he was right; he just did what he believed was the right thing right where he was. I can almost hear him saying, "Go and do likewise..." (which I know actually comes from the Good Samaritan, but I bet Franz knew that story!)
I take it back--I'm not going to feel guilty about being joyful during Lent. I'm going to take my joy, all the things I'm learning and I'm going to try to make a difference right here in my little corner of Kentucky. Thanks Lent Madness for leading the way. Now back to studying my bracket...
And when I get home, that spring china is coming out!!!
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