Our Lenten Journey to Easter…Come Away and Rest Awhile

It is hard to believe that we are about halfway through our Lenten journey. How are you doing? Are you staying true to your intentions, your sacrifice, placing the nail on the cross lying above the baptismal font as a reminder of your commitment, keeping up with the tenants of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving during Lent? Or do you find yourself stumbling at every possible turn? Have you put yourself in situations where you are attempting to rediscover and find your true self? Are you setting aside enough time for God? These are questions I ask myself during this season of Lent.

Lent is always an interesting time because we are asked to spend time in deep reflection, reinvigorating our relationship with Christ, slowing down, sacrificing, just to name a few. If you are like me, you find yourself doing the complete opposite! Things are moving so fast, this and that needs to get done so you can focus on the next task. I am unable to do this because I need to take care of that, but I also must consider this as well. I must do this, then that, and all I really want is rest and to spend time reflecting on what God’s plans are for me leading up to the beautiful season of Easter. The busy-ness of it all can feel overwhelming. My brain feels like it is moving at a million miles per hour and all I can imagine is seeing Jesus holding a big red STOP sign in front of me and telling me to slow down. Or perhaps, the STOP sign is simply a placemark, an opportunity to consider a different path than the one I currently tread on, to stand at the fork and consider the one that leads me closer to God. I imagine Jesus putting away the stop sign afterwards, and stretches out His hands and says, “Come and follow me.”

How can we actively set aside time to ask God to intercede for us, to lay our burdens at the foot of the cross and leave them there? Where will we find those moments, opportunities to be transformed by the grace and love of God? How do we accept the challenge and invitation that God gives us to say “Yes” during our Lenten journey? How can our ministries guide us to a path of enlightenment and praise?

On Thursday, March 21, as part of the Lenten Speaker Series, the Holy Spirit Music Ministry will present An Evening of Prayer, Music, and Reflection: Come away and rest awhile. This event incorporates the styles of evening prayer and Taizé prayer service paired with a Holy Spirit twist – a mixture of contemporary and contemplative music. We use the style of Taizé music since it is a form of meditative worship, and the nature of simple, repetitive phrases helps refocus our hearts and minds towards prayer. We will offer some scripture readings and opportunities to reflect on the Word of God and the music we sing. There will also be a collective and collaborative component for our community to participate in this candle-lit environment. We hope that you can come away and rest awhile with us, and with the Lord on this spirit-filled night.

Lenten Blessings,

Tim Mascarinas

Director of Music