Valentine’s Day: Approaching Lent with Love

On Sunday, Kevin preached on the passage from Isaiah appointed for the day, in which God tell his people, “Is this the fast that I chose?” (Isaiah 58:6) Kevin’s sermon went on with the message of Isaiah that God appreciates our worship but the rituals aren’t the main event - to not over focus on the worship but let the worship fuel care for the poor, the hungry, the naked, and the suffering. Isaiah called the people to turn from worship renewed and strengthened to care for those in their midst who cried for mercy and justice. St. Alban’s new mission statement highlights that spirit as we follow the pattern of Jesus, what we witness in his life and ministry in the Gospels: “Gather to worship. Scatter to serve, Love like Jesus.”

Valentine’s Day is this Saturday. It can be kind of a flop for some of us – getting a silly card from someone seemed important as a child but now it can feel a little forced. Or the date that didn’t happen. Or the restaurant at which we chose to celebrate was too noisy, not such a great experience. Or maybe you will have a fabulously romantic day! Red hearts and chocolate! Valentines all-around! What I want to point out is that it can feel like whiplash to go from Valentine’s Day and then to Ash Wednesday.

I am wondering what it would be like, as a spiritual discipline, to imagine Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent as if it were a love letter, a Valentine’s card from our hearts to God? What would happen if we set down our proverbial sackcloth and ashes and take up a renewed sense of love where there is fear, suffering, or need in our community? If giving something up for Lent has been your tradition, what would it be like to offer something of yourself in service instead? As was pointed out in the annual meeting, St. Alban’s has many opportunities to volunteer in a ministry or outreach program. Or there may be an opportunity in other parts of the larger community that need your expertise or abilities. A clergy friend of mine one said,

“The faith of Christ is to carry the cross and believe you are making the world new, despite every outward appearance.”

That sounds like love in action to me. St. Alban’s is a deeply faithful community, scattering seeds of hope and peace in a world that desperately needs those messages. Let your faith move you and make your life a love letter to God this Lent.