Take Up Your Cross

Second Sunday in Lent (Year B)

Mark 8.31-38

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 24:10)

 

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Excuse me? You want me to . . . to do what?

 

These words of Jesus to his disciples, and to the entire assembled crowd, are admittedly a bit startling. Particularly to a group of Jews in first century Palestine. The image of taking up a cross would have naturally brought to mind crucifixion. The preferred form of torture and execution for the occupying Roman forces. Something Jesus’ audience rightly feared. And while we may not live in fear of the prospect of crucifixion in our own time, we still cringe—even if only slightly—at the prospect of having to 1) deny ourselves, and 2) to take up our cross. That does not sound like something any of us would willingly do. And yet, in this Lenten season, and indeed in our ongoing lives of faith, taking up our cross is precisely what we should be doing.

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Lenten Renewal

First Sunday in Lent

Genesis 9.8-17; Mark 1.9-15

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 30:00)

 

With a smudge of ashes on our foreheads and the recitation of a litany for penitence, we began our Lenten journey this past Wednesday. As noted in the Invitation to the Observance of a Holy Lent, by these acts, “the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.” While there are many images from scripture and the unique prayers for Ash Wednesday that help frame what Lent is about, these words, as well as any, serve as a statement of purpose for our annual commemoration of Lent.

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Our Valentine Gift to God

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6.1-6, 16-21

St. Thomas of Canterbury, Long Beach (8:00 AM) and 

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach (7:00 PM)

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 18:20)

 

Because of the way that the date for Ash Wednesday is calculated (determined by the variable date of Easter), there are 36 possible dates for Ash Wednesday—February 4^th through March 10^th. With that many possible dates, it’s pretty rare that Ash Wednesday falls on any given date, let alone on February 14^th—Valentine’s Day. In fact, it only happened three times during the 20^th century; and will only happen three times this century. It already happened once in 2018; it is happening this year; and will happen again in 2029.

 

This confluence of Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day creates a bit of a disconnect as we try to hold the two in our hearts and minds; as some try to find a place for both in their lives. Ash Wednesday being a religious commemoration focused on the sorrow at our sinfulness, with the need for penance. Valentine’s Day being a secular celebration focused on the joys of love. The practices associated with Ash Wednesday (and the Lenten season that follows) being almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. The practices associated with Valentine’s Day being the giving of flowers, cards, and chocolates. Ash Wednesday being viewed as a time of abstinence in many forms, and Valentine’s Day being associated with extravagance in many forms.

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The Transfiguration Transition

Last Sunday after the Epiphany (Year B)

Mark 9.2-9

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 14:10)

 

Here we are at what is designated as “the Last Sunday after the Epiphany.” A name that I have always thought rather odd. Probably because I am one of those people who delights in picking apart grammatical oddities and errors—a result of having prepared technical reports for a living in my previous career, plus having a sister who was an English major in college. I find the designation of this day as the Last Sunday after the Epiphany odd because, at least to me, it sounds as if this is the last Sunday ever. That there should be no more Sundays after this. Which obviously is not the case. Unless the world happens to end sometime between now and next Saturday. No, we know there are more Sundays to follow. Now, I get why this Sunday is named as it is, due to the variable number of potential Sundays in the season after Epiphany, which can be anywhere from four to nine, depending on when Easter falls. So, alas, we are stuck with this seemingly odd designation.

 

But in some ways, it is the last. As we move from the last Sunday after the feast of the Epiphany and prepare for the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, there is a profound shift in the tone of what we have experienced over the last six weeks, to what we will experience over the next six weeks. That this is a point of transition—a pivot point, if you will—in our liturgical calendar to be sure, but also in our faith journey.

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Model for Ministry

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year B)

Mark 1.29-39

St. Gregory’s, Long Beach

Live Streamed on Parish Facebook page (beginning at 23:55)

 

Throughout our Epiphanytide journey, we have focused on the various ways that Jesus is manifest as the Son of God. This is primarily accomplished through the actions at the beginning of his public ministry. We first looked at the calling of his disciples to be partners in ministry, and those who will be charged with taking up this ministry after his death and resurrection. Exploring two accounts of this calling, each of which revealed something of who Jesus is as the Son of God, but also what it means to be a follower of Christ. And then last week, exploring Jesus’ first day on the job—the first day of his public ministry. Again, these actions of teaching, healing, and casting out demons in the synagogue providing greater insight into who Jesus is as the Son of God; to what his public ministry will be about, and what it means for us to be his companions in his ministry. In today’s Gospel reading, we continue with Jesus’ first day of public ministry, with what happens after the events at the synagogue. Here again, what we see continues to provide glimpses into how Jesus will more fully be revealed as the Son of God.

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