The Pilgrimage of Faith: Living a Holy Life, Dying a Holy Death
In Lent 2008 we will explore together the question, “What does it mean to live a holy life and to die a holy death?” Further, “what does it mean to see our life as a pilgrimage of faith?” From birth through death and beyond we are pilgrims. Sometimes we feel close to God, sometimes far. Sometimes the path is easy and sometimes it is difficult. Sometimes we are in good shape and other times each step is painful and belabored. What does it mean to live a holy life and to die a holy death?
Creating space for reflection on what it means to live and die in God’s presence and in the fullness of life God intended for us is something in which the church should be actively engaged. All of us go through various stages of life, some joyful, some painful, most a little of both. We were all born and we will all die. Yet we seldom reflect together on life through the lens of death, and death through the lens of life. Through our Lenten focus I hope that we will all be able to reflect theologically on the many stages of life – ours and others – seeing clearly the gifts and challenges of each stage.
All of the sermons in Lent will focus on the theme of pilgrimage, beginning with the aptly titled “Sound the Alarm!” on Ash Wednesday (see the fuller schedule of Lenten sermons and offerings in this issue of Tidings). On the first Sunday of Lent we begin with baptism, and then move through the many experiences and challenges we face in our life and faith including following God’s call, seeking reconciliation, walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and living the resurrection. A Half-Day Lent retreat on February 16 (1-4 pm in the Library) will examine the major stages of life through a Celtic lens: birth and holiness, childhood and innocence, adolescence and awakening, early adulthood and passion, middle years and commitment, old age and wisdom, and death as return.
Three evening Lenten Community Gatherings on February 28, March 6 and March 13 will begin with a soup supper at 5:30. On February 28 all ages will engage in an intergenerational art project and theological reflection from 6-7 pm. On March 6 and 13 child care will be provided from 6-7:15 pm so that the adults, including young adults, can reflect on and discuss what it means to live a holy life and to die a holy death. Our discussions will reference two books available at Micawber’s Bookstore (across from the Finnish Bistro on Carter Avenue), James Woodward’s Befriending Death and Richard John Neuhaus’ book As I Lay Dying: Meditations Upon Returning. Each evening will end with worship.
Our Adult Forum every Sunday at 9:15 in the Library will help us further explore these themes through sessions focusing on forgiveness, discernment and doubt (February) and “Why did Jesus have to die?”, “What happens when we die?”, and the reflections of analyst, former hospice therapist and parishioner Mahinder Kaur on what it means to die a good and holy death (March).
Finally throughout Lent special Lenten services of Taizé Candlelight Prayer will be offered every 1st and 3rd Thursday at 7:30 pm, Compline every Sunday night at 7 pm, and Holy Eucharist Rite I (10 am) and Noonday Prayer every Wednesday. This is in addition to our Sunday Lenten liturgies at 8 and 10:30 am. I encourage you to make worship, prayer, reading, and community reflection and discussion part of your Lenten discipline.
