Dear PPPC,

I’ll say it again, our theme for Lent this year: We’re giving up.

Last week we began by considering what it means to give up the convenient, in search of what is most faithful. This week, a real doozy, we’re giving up the need to be right. Yikes. I just love being right, don’t you? This one will be a challenge….but more about that on Sunday….

…

What’s something else we give up in Lent? The “Alleluias!” Throughout Lent, Christians give up saying, singing, proclaiming, praying, “Alleluia!” Sometimes it’s called “burying the alleluia.” Why? Why do we do that? It’s such a small thing to give up. Some of us probably don’t even notice that the church does it. So why even bother to give it up?

The theological answer is that it is a way of recognizing the solemnity of the season and anticipating the praise to be sung in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday.

A more practical answer (and still theological) is this: Why don’t we keep our Christmas lights up all year round? Or your nativity? Or the star? Because things become more meaningful to us when they are not used constantly. When we retire something familiar for a season, recovering its use has a way of making it “new” for us. It has a way of giving emphasis to what precedes it and follows it.

Have you ever been at PPPC during Lent, when during the benediction, someone exclaims, “Alleluia! Amen.” instead of “Amen and amen.” If that person is you, please don’t be embarassed. I kind of love when this happens because it draws attention to the fact that in this season, something is different.

Taking a rest from something gives shape and rhythm to life, to worship, to relationships – even to our relationship with God.

A good reminder, then, that there are somethings that God calls us to give up entirely, others, just for a season.

May grace surprise you, kindly, along the way,
Pastor Molly

PS. For your devotionals/prayer time this Communion week: Fill My Cup by Cece Winans. Youtube