I’ve started watching a new program on Sunday nights about the origins and workings of the universe entitled, “Cosmos: A Space-time Odyssey”. These are great mysteries—even for the Christian who believes that “God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen”, life’s origins and the beginning of the universe itself is, scientifically, a mystery, although there are very compelling theories that support an answer to these eternal questions. (Remember, a “theory” does not mean a shot-in-the-dark guess. A theory is scientific knowledge based heavily on gathered data. The theory of gravity, for example, is undisputed).
Besides the fact that the study of the universe and of the origins of life fascinates me, the program “Cosmos” is regarded by its host, Neil deGrasse Tyson, as a journey. A journey through space and time. In the program, Neil travels in a fictitious spacecraft called, the “Spaceship of the Imagination”, that can travel far beyond the solar system or shrink down so tiny as to enter the bloodstream of a black bear. The program really takes the viewer on a journey to explore the vastness, the intricacies and the mysteries of life.
One of the things that I love about being an Episcopalian—and there are myriad of reasons—is that we follow a liturgical year. We begin a new church year when secular society ends one each Advent. We ponder the mysteries of the Incarnation through the season of Christmas; followed by the observance of the Word made flesh dwelling among us, performing acts of love and works of mercy as God manifests God’s self in the person of Jesus Christ. We call this season Epiphany, meaning, “to manifest” or “to make known”. Then we enter the holy season of Lent, where we find ourselves now (Lent, meaning, the lengthening of days).
Lent is a well known season, even in secular circles. Many celebrate Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, perhaps not always for the reason of beginning a fast, but nonetheless, there are many that do recognize the sooty smear of ashes on our foreheads on the Wednesday that begins the season. A server at a restaurant told me one Ash Wednesday that he always remembers it’s Ash Wednesday when he sees so many people come into his restaurant with a black smudge on their foreheads: “Ah, it must be that time of year again”, he says.
What I am describing to you is a journey. The liturgical year is a journey and so is the season of Lent in itself. It is a season that ‘bids us cleanse our hearts, and prepare with joy the Paschal feast” (Easter). Although there are facts along the way on our journey, there are still mysteries and unresolved accounts within the biblical narrative. For instance, if you recall the story of Nicodemus’ conversation with Jesus about being born again from above by water and the Spirit, Jesus shares the mystery of the Spirit as he says, “the wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes” (John 3:8). Or the mystery of the redemption of the world through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus: ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him’ (John 3:16-17). Life in the Spirit and the redemption of the world find their answers in the saving work of the Son, but they are ultimately, mysteries that we are called to live into as followers of the way of Jesus.
We are embarking once again on the holiest of journeys as we conclude the Lenten season, climax within the context of the Holy Week liturgies and remembrances, and die and birth in Christ once again through his death and resurrection on Easter morning. The journey has twists and turns, challenges and blessings, facts and mysteries; all that enrich our life in Christ and serve as opportunities for transformation. I strongly encourage you to make room in your life for the journey this year.
God bless you and keep you this holy season and always,
Bob+
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 219, Collect for Palm Sunday)
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