Dean's Corner -Spring 2006

This is the last of these articles that I will write for Saints Alive.   It is always tempting on such occasions to say too much about too many things, as a sort of “last kick at the can.” But, as always, the timing of this issue is meant to coincide with our observance of Lent, and I cannot think of anything better than to leave some last thoughts on what Lent can and should mean for us as faithful pilgrims in the Way of Christ.

Awhile back I was praying about “renewal.”  There is a wonderful prayer we use both at ordinations, and, more importantly, at the celebration of the Easter Vigil, which speaks beautifully about what renewal is.  The last few lines say “let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (BAS p.328)  This prayer, prayed on Easter Eve, just before we sing the Easter Acclamation, “Christ is risen”, celebrates the reality of God’s saving love for humanity and the whole of creation, brought to its climax in Jesus’ resurrection and the conquering of death.  It comes at the end of that time we call Lent, which is given to us as a special time to focus our hearts and minds more intentionally on God’s work in Christ and our need to make it more and more a reality in our own lives and the life of our Church.  That ongoing work of Jesus is accomplished in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Lent then, is all about renewal and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Now you might ask how all of this fits with the traditional Lenten disciplines of fasting, prayer, almsgiving, self-examination, penitence, and study.  It’s interesting that in nature we are coming to understand that forest fires, which we previously had thought of as destructive, are actually a natural process of renewal.  Without them new life becomes choked off and stunted.  As I was praying about renewal that while back an image came to mind which I think illustrates it beautifully.  I saw an image of a thick tangle of old, dead wood; branches twisted this way and that, blocking movement and choking out the light.  Along with it came an image of cleansing fire, a fire that could consume the wood.  The image seems destructive from one perspective; old things destroyed and turned to ash.  But another view sees that the fire itself turns old and lifeless things into a source of warmth and light, while clearing away the obstacles, bringing freedom to move and the possibility of new growth

The disciplines we are encouraged to take on in Lent are really about allowing the renewing power of the Holy Spirit to cleanse the tangle of our worldly concerns, priorities and values, and give us that room to move and grow by which that same Spirit will transform us and make us like Jesus.  This is true, both within ourselves as disciples of Jesus, and amongst ourselves as the body of Christ. 

This is a particularly important Lent for All Saints’ Cathedral.  As God leads you forward into the next stage of your pilgrimage in faith, I pray that you might be open to, and even invite that renewing fire of the Holy Spirit.  And God, “whose power in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” will sustain and strengthen you in the years ahead.