From the Rector: Preparing for a Holy Lent

20 FEBRUary 2025

Ash Wednesday is less than two weeks away. Last Sunday was Septuagesima, seventy days before Easter; this coming Sunday is Sexagesima, sixty days before Easter; and March 2 is Quinquagesima, fifty days before Easter. If you are doing the math, you quickly discover these Latin titles are symbolic. These Sundays are often called Pre-Lent, and in some churches the color has already changed to violet, and the alleluias have been removed. 

This coming Sunday, I will offer a Rector's Forum after the High Mass at 12:30 noon, outlining our parish practice for Lent. At the forum I will share and distribute a leaflet entitled The Shape of Lent at St. Mark's, which some of our laity have been working on since last summer. The leaflet invites us into various weekly fasts, and it provides a guide for daily devotions, including the reading of Saint Luke's Gospel over forty days. The leaflet is impressive, and I hope everyone will make use of it.

During Lent we are gifted the space to be evermore intentional about our faith. Last night at our Catechesis Evening, we had our first discussion regarding our parish Lent and Easter Book, Jesus the Bridegroom. The discussion was particularly rich, for people shared how they seek to move beyond mere rule-keeping regarding their faith into a deeper relationship with God. As we seek fidelity in our human friendships and relationships, how do we seek friendship and relationship fidelity with God? As we strive to be in good relationship with our friends, spouses, parents, children, and neighbors, do we place the same energy into our relationship with Jesus Christ? Or do we take advantage of God and God's infinite forgiveness? And what are the consequences of being unfaithful to God? Our discussions will continue over several Wednesdays, extending through the seasons of Lent and Easter.

As we look to Lent, I can also share that our Lenten charity for 2025 is Episcopal Relief and Development. One of the ways in which we observe a Holy Lent is through increased almsgiving. As you might have imagined, due to climate disasters the work of ERD is multiplying. When wildfires struck Lahaina, ERD provided leadership and resources, and they have done the same with countless other disasters for many years. When you make your financial gift, you may do so directly through the giving portal on the ERD website.

It is during Gesimatide that we plan how we shall observe a Holy Lent. I have noticed that this year many more churches are using the Gesima terminology. With the increased distractions and stresses of our modern society, people desire and need larger "on-ramps" than ever before if they are to engage Lent, or any other process, intentionally. My prayer for you is that you shall engage this process. Start preparing now, and be ready when Ash Wednesday arrives.

Father Paul Lillie +