The second in a series of weekly Lenten reflections. Some have called the season of Lent the time of “bright sadness.” This is such an interesting phrase. What is bright about sadness? We tend to think of sadness as gloomy or dark or gray. Brightness doesn't tend to come into it. And when something is bright, it usually has light around it, it energizes and excites. In sadness we might think of looking down. With brightness we might think of looking up. How can these two things be connected? And … [Read more...] about “Bright Sadness”
“Remember You Are Dust”
The words “remember you are dust” came across my screen the other day when someone commented on it being close to the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. I am reminded that on Ash Wednesday, as the mark of the ashes is put on our foreheads, someone will say “remember you are dust.” I have to say, I don't love thinking of myself this way. Dust? Seriously? I can hear all the therapists and counselors I have known protesting that this is no way to address ourselves! I can feel the resistance in myself at the idea … [Read more...] about “Remember You Are Dust”