Lent Can Be Awkward

Sermon Notes:

Keep your eyes open for a special “liturgist-in-training” in the service today, 💓a little sweetness and light-heartedness for a Lenten season that may already seem heavier than most, given all we have experienced in the past year.

Lent is a typically an awkward season because it is almost exclusively somber. Even the lectionary reading of God’s promise to Abram and Sarai is cut short, just before Abram (soon to be Abraham) laughs heartily at God’s great promise of a baby to the 90 year old Sarai( soon to be Sarah).

The gospel reading from Mark, the sermon passage, is certainly somber and awkward. How hard must it have been for Jesus to try to explain the upcoming crucifixion to his disciples? Just think of how hard it is to tell a friend, child, or loved one that sad, hard times are at hand.

The Lenten walk of acknowledging our shortcomings and sorrow is rich and worthwhile. It is helpful to remember that we “do Lent” for the sake of our wholeness, and it is fitting to remember that our hearts long for happiness too, that happiness is also part of the journey.

A friend of mine sent the “prayer” below in response to the lectionary leaving out Abram’s and Sarai’s laughter from the Genesis reading. I hope you enjoy it.

“I have had enough

Of sad Saints

And sour religion.

I have had enough

Of sin spotting

And Grace doubting.

I need some laughter, Lord,

The kind of laughter you planted in Sarah.

But, Please, May I not have to wait

Until I am ninety

And pregnant. Amen.”

*Here is the link to our service of worship today. *

https://youtu.be/v3LJMqYNWCQ

Happy Sabbath to you.

And remember – *next week we have LIVE Zoom Worship at 10am.*

Love in Christ,

Jane