The Progressive Reverend

 My very first Lent at Parkdale, I thought I would be a little clever and write on the church sign, “Lent, it’s not just for belly buttons.” I don’t think anyone got the joke.  When I was a child and I first heard someone speak about  Lent,  I thought I heard the word  lint . Like the lint that collects in one’s belly button after wearing a newer t-shirt. Like the stuff that accumulates in the filter of your clothes dryer. I asked for clarification.  Why does the church observe lint?  I asked.  As I have explained on numerous occasions, Lent is a season for the church worldwide. It lasts 46 days, from Ash Wednesday until Easter (40 days plus 6 Sundays). This ancient tradition mirrors the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness, preparing for his public ministry. Thus, we are encouraged to give something up for Lent to mimic Jesus's ministry and grow closer to God.  But Lent is also a season for gratitude and thanksgiving...

Last week, as we began our Lenten journey, I encouraged each of you to give up something  for Lent. Not to push ourselves into suffering but to bring clarity to the rest of our lives. Whatever you choose to give up, I wanted you to realize it’s a small start that may lead to a bigger goal . For example, if you want to live a healthier lifestyle, perhaps giving up putting sugar in your tea might be a perfect place to start. Yes, this is a small step; however, it could encourage you to make even more choices to help you reach your goal.  As we continue to the next stage of our Lenten journey, I ask you to take a step back from the busyness of your everyday life and examine your faith. What can you add to your life to help you develop your spirituality? Are you missing something that you used to do at church? Perhaps you are missing a spiritual practice you used to do or need to carve out more time to pray.   Mental, physical, and spiritual health are all...