Giving In

 Our Lenten Journey begins with the ashes being made into a cross on our foreheads; an ancient ritual of the church. In one sense it is a sign that we understand ourselves as creatures not the creator. An acknowledgment that we are not in control.  And we have to admit that we grudgingly admit this.

You have heard we repeat that this past year has been the longest Lent we have experienced in our lifetimes. We were asked to stay home and stay safe last March, during Lent. And here we are, still staying home and staying safe. At this point it seems to be good advice for us just to "Give in."

Give in to the fact that we are not in control. Give in to the reality that we are all interconnected. Give in to our nature of being vulnerable. We need to give up the false notion that we know the future. We need to give up the idea that it is only about me. We need to give up trying to be strong and stoic in the face of deep sadness and struggle.

This Lent we have a simple work. We are asked to just sit and experience what is going on around us without trying to understand, or trying to control, or trying to overcome. To just give in and be. If we are able to do this we may then see something that we may have missed. If we let go of the distractions and the worries maybe God will be glimpsed in our midst showing us a healthier way of being in the world

This is my prayer.