Transitions are as much a part of life as breathing. And, they are so common that often
we may not see them as such. Of course, there are the usual: graduations, marriage
(and divorce), children, job changes (including loss), moving, and on and on.
Transitions mark both beginnings and endings. Some, such as the death of a loved
one, or the marriages of one's children may have a profound effect on us. Others,
those such as moving from one job to another, may not have a great an impact.
Transitions occur in the church as well. They mark the end of one season and the beginning of another. For instance, the movement from what is called "Ordinary Time," or what used to be called Kingdomtide, to Advent is marked by the transition of Christ the King Sunday. Christmas and Easter are what might be termed "high holy days." Ranking just below them, but still considered holy days are the transition points in the Christian year.
In order, these transitional Sundays are: Christ the King Sunday, Epiphany (generally celebrated on the Sunday closest to January 6), Transfiguration Sunday, Pentecost, and, to paraphrase from The Sound of Music, which brings us back to Christ the King. Today marks a transition. We move from the season of Epiphany to Lent. We move from a time in which we've seen the revelation of God in Jesus Christ to a time of great introspection and repentance.
This Wednesday we will observe Ash Wednesday. While today marks the transition, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty days (more about this next week) of Lent, culminating in Palm/Passion Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter. Liturgically speaking, the church moves from God's revelation of Jesus as the "Beloved Son" to the period marking the march to Golgotha and his crucifixion and resurrection. During this time symbolically we have ashes imposed on our foreheads to signify our own repentance. It is a time of great solemnity, and one that begins to prepare us for Lent.
I've heard the church liturgical described as one might a rollercoaster. We move from great highs, plunging down chasms to great depths, only to be lifted again to new heights. The pace from now to Easter, like rollercoasters, can seem to move at breakneck speed. The closer we get to Easter, the more we experience the solemnity of Lent. If truly we're experiencing and living Lent, the greater the joy we'll feel on Easter morning.
Enjoy this day. We won't have another like it until Easter morn. Today we sign "Christ Whose Glory Fills the Sky." Wednesday we'll sing "Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days." On Easter Sunday we'll celebrate joyfully as we lift our voices in "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today." In between, the alleluias will be "put on the shelf" not to be brought back until Easter. I pray you will use the next several weeks to contemplate your place in Christ's church, and how Christ is calling you as a disciple. For Hunt UMC to be what God has both created and called it to be, all of us are needed to join hands and serve. won't you do that? See you on the road.
Grace and peace,
Mike
February 15, 2015