"Are We There Yet?"

Can you believe it? We are midway through our Lenten journey. In just a couple of weeks, Lent will give way to the celebration of Easter! The Passion and Death of Christ will give way to the Resurrection. And, thankfully, I will once again be able to enjoy the rich, bold and wonderful taste of coffee. Oh, the sacrifices we make for Lent! I hope and pray that this journey has been and will continue to be one of deepening reflection and spiritual examination as you seek to draw closer to Christ.

As part of my personal Lenten reflection, I have been praying the rosary. The word “rosary” comes from the Latin word rosarium, which means “rose garden.” Traditionally, this was a devotion used solely by Catholics. However, the rosary is becoming more and more popular among those of other Christian traditions and denominations. The rosary is a devotion that combines prayers and meditations which focus on the four mysteries of Christ’s life. Each mystery contains five events.

I have found the rosary to be a great way for me to meditate upon the “mysteries” of Christ. During Lent, I have especially been mediating and reflecting upon the Sorrowful Mysteries - those events in Christ’s life that deal with his Passion and Death.

Reflecting is an important thing. It is important to reflect - to remember. I especially love this quality found in older folks. I can remember sitting and listening to my grandparents recall memories from yesteryear. Sadly, my generation has become so busy with life that we seldom make time to recall and reflect upon past memories or events. A lot of times, we choose to forget the past. Perhaps, our past was filled with not-so-pleasant memories. Yet, even then, these memories can help us to grow stronger.

I recall a story that was told of a woman who had an operable brain tumor. The only fear of removing the brain tumor was what she might lose in the process. Depending on the surgeon’s entry into the woman’s brain she could either lose her sight or her memory. When asked to choose between the two, the woman said in tears; “How can I make a decision like that? If I lose my memory, I’ll never remember where I came from; and if I lose my sight, I’ll never see where I’m headed.” What a sad predicament to be in. Through Lent we are called to remember where we came from and we are invited to see where we’re headed. That was the invitation that the Israelites were given in the 5th chapter of Joshua. They were invited to look over their shoulders - to remember where they came from and they were invited to look ahead - to see where they were going.

Despite God’s faithfulness and constant provision, the Israelites wrestled with doubts and fears. They were oftentimes rebellious and contentious. And, as a result, they found themselves wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. But in the 5th chapter of Joshua, the Israelites are standing at the threshold of the Promised Land. This was a special place for them. It was one of those “in-between” times. As a result the place was named Gilgal. It’s kind of interesting that Gilgal is related to the Hebrew word galal which means “to roll.” How fitting. Thus, we find the people of Israel being called “to roll” away the disgrace of Egypt. They are called to leave the disgrace and shame, humiliation and bondage conjured with Egypt and their ancestors. And, as a way of symbolizing this “new life,” they were circumcised. In the same way, Lent reminds us of the importance of rolling away the disgrace and shame of sin, and to remember our spiritual circumcisions - baptism.

Next, the people gathered in their camps and celebrated the meal that marked their deliverance from slavery - the Passover Seder. We find the fulfillment of this meal in Christ who gave us the Eucharist - Holy Communion. If you’ve never had the opportunity to celebrate the Passover Seder, I pray that you will. It is a memorable experience, in which one can’t help but see how Christ fulfills every aspect of the meal. At the Table we find ourselves nourished, fed and strengthen for life’s journey. At the Table we are called to reflect, recall and remember. At the Table we are called to celebrate our deliverance.

Most of us, by now, are looking forward to spring. I’ll admit, even I am looking forward to spring and the transition that occurs in nature. As we approach spring there is a sense of newness in the air. The natural world awakens from its winter sleep - trees will bloom and flowers will blossom. And all around us, signs of life will begin to appear. The preparation of Easter enables us to remember that we too are a new creation through Christ. We awaken from a Lenten sleep, so to speak, and are called to reflect upon the beauty and liveliness of Easter. We are called to live in the light and presence of the Risen Christ.

Can we truly celebrate Easter without thinking of what came before the stone was rolled away? The 5th chapter of Joshua reminds us that we can’t! That is why Lent is so important in the church. Just as the Israelites renewed their covenant with God as they prepared to enter Canaan, so we too are called to renew our own baptismal covenant with God as we prepare to enter Easter. We, like the Israelites, are called through Lent to reaffirm our identity as the sons and daughters of God. And so, no Lenten season is complete without Gilgal.