Lent is supposed to be a time of increased reflection and devotion. We're supposed to cut non-essentials out of our lives and replace them with more time with God. And yet, the first three days of Lent have, for me, been nothing but a hurried mess of appointments, required conference events and meetings, driving to and fro, preparing for Lenten services, filling out paperwork, responding to emails, and so on. Looking at my calendar over the next few weeks, it only figures to get worse. Part of the busyness is owed to unique events this year, but much of it is the usual grind of additional worship services, a desire to make existing services "different" to signify Lent, and the march toward Holy Week, the most dramatic week in the Christian year. And all it's doing is making me feel busy, tired, and guilty for thinking I'm too important to slow down.
Has our religious activity during Lent become the thing most getting in the way of observing Lent? This may be more of a clergy issue, but I suspect it is not. Perhaps this is part of the Lenten challenge: finding time and energy to meditate when life is a whirlwind of activity. If so, then I am failing tremendously thus far. There's still time to improve my Lenten observance. Ironically enough, I just haven't found it yet.
Peace, Brother Erik. Yet another sign of our hurrying can be our hurry to experience the peace of Lent. Set your goal and then prayerfully move toward it. I am certain that you, out of all the people I know, will get to that place of reflection and devotion - and soon. I don't experience you as "self-important," but rather inspiringly humble.
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