Hallelujah! Happy Easter! He is Risen!
Lent has come to a close and thus ended my daily blogging adventure. I had never before made such an intense Lenten commitment – not only did I spend nearly an hour a day above my normal activities taking photos and writing about them, I also abstained, most of the time, from dairy and grains (I of course had homemade deep dish Chicago style pizza with my extended family last night. Can I get an amen?!). Nonetheless, a dedicated and difficult season.
I have my favorites of the photos (you can see them below). I also have the thoughts that have stayed echoing in my mind – opening our house to those in need, continuing on my journey away from a lifestyle dedicated to materialism and comfort, being more aware and intentional with those in my immediately family, knowing that I DO have time to set aside and BE with God (I just proved it to myself nearly every day for 6 weeks). So rejuvenating and encouraging and exciting!
Honestly, my favorite part of the process was how each post seemed to initiate conversations with someone – a family member, an old old friend, an acquaintance. Writing has been enjoyable, a great practice, but more than anything I desire the intimate dialogue between a few people. Thank you to those who responded, who reached out, who challenged, who encouraged, who prayed, and who participated. I learned from you.
Saturday night, Jeff and I participated in the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. I’ll admit I was not necessarily excited about what was to come, still a bit baffled that we’re participating in the faith family at St. Johns, wondering how our recent, beloved time in a Vineyard community would be followed with life there. Then the Easter Vigil hit me not like a brick wall but like a spray of Easter lilies, literally, engulfing me in beauty and sensory sublimity. My godparents, who’ve loved me well since day one, finally got to stand behind me as a sponsor, hands on my shoulders, praying for the Holy Spirit to fill me and guide me. The people in the church sang their little hearts out in a way I have never experienced at St. John’s—so beautiful and strong! And literally the aroma of the rows of Easter lilies…so good. I am thankful that (and I stand corrected as) God continued to reveal Himself that night, and not just in the Sacrament.
Lent. What an awesome time to step deeper and deeper into God and God’s calling. To ask questions and explore creation, beauty, the sublime, the ugly, the unknown and the unseen. And to think…all this time we spend ends in death-a dark, gruesome, heavy death, but a death only to be trampled over and over and over again by Light and Life. Can I get a real Amen?
Magdalene A.R. Mastin 