How Long Until Something New?
This past weekend, I went to Galveston with our Diocesan Council delegates to be a part of the work and ministry of the broader church in the Diocese of Texas. Many things take place at this annual meeting of people from all across the diocese. We worship and pray together. We hear about various ministries like the college chaplaincies, mission teams, and outreach endeavors. We elect people to diocesan boards and hear financial reports. The part of council I always find moving (dare I say the MOST moving?) is when congregants of new parishes proudly process into Council together. They take turns ringing the mission bell to celebrate that they are officially becoming a new part of the life of our church and there is a long held standing ovation. There is something about the new life and hope that comes when witnessing the birth of a new worshiping community.
At the beginning of Lent every year, I am always compelled to point out why the number 40 is so prevalent and important. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Jesus was in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights. Our Lenten season is also forty days and nights. For the Israelites they were being delivered into a new way of life from slavery in Egypt to the promised land. Jesus is taken out into the wilderness for forty days after his baptism in anticipating of the beginning of his new ministry. Forty is a period in which something new comes into being. These events bring to mind the gestation period of a baby coming into the world after 40 weeks (obviously an approximate average). This is about new life. Lent is a season of forty days and nights because it is a gestational season. Lent is the amount of time it takes for something new to be born in you. At the culmination of this season we will hear the Good News of new life given us through the resurrection.
Just as God knew of all the wonderful people who would come together to form the new parishes we celebrated at Diocesan Council, God knows about all the ways new life will come to you this holy season. God knew you as you were formed in the womb and His greatest desire is for you to have the completeness of new life in Him at the fulfillment of this Lenten journey. I am praying for you as we walk the way of Lent together and when we arrive we will know that God has been with us every step of the way.
We love you and God loves you,
Josh Condon+