By James A. Weathersby, Chaplain II,
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9Matthew 5:21-37, Psalm 119:1-8
People’s lives are about seasons and times. These stages of development mark successful transition from an earlier functioning to the next stage or phase of growth. These transitional points serve as steppingstones into our future, into the next experience of our lives. This is true for life, for our lives, and the Christian Church. The seasons of the life of the church are marked on the liturgical calendar. This calendar allows believers to anticipate, participate and fully observe the seasons of the Christian church. The first season we enter into with excitement is Lent.
The word lent is not included in the Christian Bible. It is a season of teaching and preparation for new believers and a time for reflection and discipline for older participants. This time is preceded by ‘Strove Tuesday’ or ‘Mardi Gras,’ a time of indulging temporary, worldly pleasures as we prepare for forty days of discipline, examination, and realignment of our lives to follow our beliefs. All this information is to remind us of our faith: for many their faith is new and exhilarating, for others faith is a reminder that life is not permanent. What we do with our lives among others counts. We are not alive to live for our own pursuits or appetites. Lent calls us from outside distractions, to inner disciplines of prayer, humility, and charity. Lent helps participants of the Christian faith a measurable step in their maturation.
I remember the words of Ash Wednesday, which follows Mardi Gras. The palm branches from last years’ Palm Sunday are preserved all year and burned to ash. These cinders are combined with a light mixture of oil or fragrance and made into the sign of the cross on the foreheads of Christians. The words are powerful and a good stepping stone for humility; “from dust you have come, to dust you shall return…remember the Gospel.” When I live as if this life were permanent, I recall Ash Wednesday. When I feel my angst in life is intolerable, I celebrate Lent and the liturgical steps of the Christian church.
The Rev. James A. Weathersby M.Div., BCC was born in Chicago, product of a dedicated single mother and the Public-School system. He is a genetic Baptist and a historic Democrat; spirituality in his veins for generations. His family valued Education and the Black church; there are four generations of ministers in his family, serving as Pastors of congregations and Chaplains in Institutions. His Bachelors of Arts came from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois from the Reformed Churches of America tradition. His Masters of Divinity Degree (specialty in Pastoral Care and Counseling) came from the southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville Kentucky, from the Southern Baptist tradition. His professional career as a Chaplain includes serving populations in Hospitals, Hospice, both Men’s and Women’s Corrections (Death Row Chaplain) in several Midwestern states. His time in Maine has included Chaplaincy at a Youth Development Center, Pastor to an island congregation and lately, Chaplain (II) of the State Forensic and civil Psychiatric Center. He has been honored to be married for 27 years and enjoy writing, yoga, and reading.
Reflections, painting by Valerie A. Clemons.
