Ash Wednesday and Midweek Lent
February 14, 2018
Grace, Mankato, MN
John 10.1-18; Psalm 46
“…the sheep hear his voice.” (John 10.3b)
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46.10)
Wouldn’t be wonderful to take a Sabbath break whenever you want, not having to wait until Sunday, or Saturday or Wednesday or whatever day you set aside? Wouldn’t it be great to make time for our relationship with God, especially when we feel pressed for time, because both time and our relationship to God are so important? Wouldn’t it be awesome—literally—to experience holy, Sabbath moments amidst the good moments of our lives? And wouldn’t it be amazing to think of this Sabbath as a “time-in” rather than a “time-out?” Not to sound like an “as seen on TV” ad, but this kind of Sabbath is already available to you.
About three or four years ago I was introduced to mindfulness meditation and it has had a profound impact upon my life. Because of my hectic schedule and my inability to stop, mindfulness was something I know I needed and wanted to pursue. So when my sabbatical came along a few years later, I decided I needed to go deeper. So, I read books, attended a week-long silent retreat, kept a journal, and entered spiritual direction.
Now, I need to make a disclaimer: I’m not an expert in mindfulness meditation; I’m a pilgrim on the way like just like all of you. Besides, longtime practitioners of mindfulness will tell you that they are simply doing the equivalent of someone selling water to thirsty travelers down by the river.
So, what is mindfulness meditation and how can it help you find Sabbath in your daily life? First, although mindfulness is practiced by a number of Eastern religions, it’s also very Christian. Christians have been engaging in contemplative practices for millennia and the Jewish people before that. It’s in our tradition. Second, although there are thousands of ways you can practice mindfulness meditation, it is quite uncomplicated (though it’s not easy. As Jon Kabat-Zinn notes, mindfulness is simply “awareness, cultivated by paying attention in specific and particular ways, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.”
That’s a lot of words, which makes it seem more complicated than it is, so let me unpack that a bit. Through the simple practice of being aware of your breathing and paying attention to yourself and your surroundings, in the present moment, you open yourself up to whatever God is bringing you. It can be closing your eyes, focusing on your breath, for one or two or twenty or sixty minutes. You can do it standing, sitting, laying down or walking around. You can simply observe the world around you or let a particular phrase roll around in your mind. The idea is to be as present to that moment as fully as possible and when your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a time of reflection leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The ashes signify number of things: they are a reminder of our mortality; they are a sign of mourning and repentance; and they suggest cleansing (lye soap is made from ashes). During this period of reflection, we are being invited to listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice, and to “be still and know that I am God” in the words of the Psalmist. I think that the daily Sabbath of mindfulness may help open up our hearts to hear Jesus’ voice. So, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I invite you to find a way to pause in your life and experience life in the present moment, because the present moment is the only one you have. Amen.
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