Lent is Here—What’s Different?
Dear Friends,
I pray that your Lent has gotten off to a good and holy start. If you missed my reflection earlier this week about why we observe Lent with special discipline and intention, you can find it here.
Because it is Lent, this Sunday you’ll notice a few different things.
You’ll see lots of purple. Purple has long been associated with penitence, central to this season of self-examination and repentance. Purple is also associated with royalty, and Jesus was clothed in a purple robe while being tortured by the Roman guard before his crucifixion. And thus, purple reminds us of our king who suffered for us.
We'll start the service with the Penitential Order, which foregrounds the confession of sin and repentance. We say the confession every week all year long, but during Lent we move it up to the front of the line.
We won’t say “Alleluia.” And yes, I do mean you, you 9 am worshippers who say it at the Dismissal whether it is printed or not. It’s not that we pretend in Lent that the Resurrection didn’t happen, but that leaving that acclamation of joy out of our worship makes the Easter shout all the brighter. Christ’s gift of life really is a stark contrast with the world of death, and the changes to our liturgy highlight that.
For the same basic reasons, there will be no flowers in the niches during Lent. Life, we remember, is a gift of God, given us through Christ – not something we have by our own merits and ability. At Easter, there will be lots and lots of flowers – again contrasting life with and without the promise of the Resurrection.
Between the services on Sunday, I want to invite you to participate in HODOS. HODOS (ὁδος) is the Greek word for “the way.” The earliest Christians were known as followers of “The Way.” Our Lord, after all, said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” This was well before the Mandalorian took the same phrase over. HODOS is our Sunday morning adult opportunity in Lent, a time to talk about God. It’s open ended, in a way, but also directed by the readings and scripture. I really believe it will be a great opportunity to enrich and deepen your walk as a follower of The Way this season. Come to Michie Hall at 10:15 am on Sunday to learn more.
There are a lot more opportunities during Lent here at St. Andrew’s. Read more about our Lenten quiet day, weekly Morning Prayer, Adoration, and Dinner and Discipleship series on Wednesday nights below.
God wants to draw you closer to him this season. Do what it takes to let God get a hold of you.
In Christ,
Fr. Andrew
