This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our Lenten journey is about to begin. Next week, we celebrate Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras, and then begin to make our way toward the cross and Easter. Christians have observed a period of fasting and reflection since the second century; this makes the observance of Lent one of the church's oldest traditions. It is a time when the church calls us to evaluate our lives, our walk with Christ, and our walk with those whom we love. What's interesting to me, though, is that while the church "calls" us to this time, it does not order us. Instead, the Book of Common Prayer is explicit; the priest is to invite the congregation into a holy Lent. The observance of Lent is a choice we each get to make.

As I look at my own life, I want to choose to be a better husband, father, and friend. I want to become a better priest. To live into these choices more fully, I suspect I need to cut out some of the noise that often distracts me. I wonder if the same applies to you? On Tuesday night, we will celebrate Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday, and then on Wednesday, we will be invited into Lent. I pray you choose to journey the next 40 days with your church family as we make our way to the cross.

Peace,

Mitch