Full to the Brim. Four words we wouldn’t normally connect with the discipline and practices of Lent.

Beginning with Ash Wednesday (this year on March 2), Lent is a holy, liturgical season of preparation for the coming of Holy Week. Traditionally a time of fasting and restraint, the focus has been on practices of self-denial – such as fasting or giving up some guilty pleasure. More recently, modern Lenten focuses have looked instead to adding a spiritual practice like daily prayer, bible reading, meditation, or service. In either case, the focus of Lent has been our own spiritual growth and purification ahead of the great gift of the Resurrection.

This year we are taking a different tack. Guided by the talented folks at “A Sanctified Art,” we have chosen the theme of “Full to the Brim” which focuses on God’s abundance and call to lives of possibility and justice. The Sunday bible readings paint a lively picture of God’s grace and generosity and will ignite our holy imaginations. We look forward to this journey with you.

As you embark on your Lenten journey, both in the company of this community and in your private faith practice, I invite you to an exercise designed to fill you to the brim with God’s lovingkindness. The meditative tradition of Metta is born of Buddhist practice and teaching and can powerfully inform our own Christian practice and centering before God. Metta means “to care and wish well for another being without judging them, to accept them independently of agreeing or disagreeing with them, and without wanting anything from them in return. It is a universal love that can overcome all social, religious, ethnic, political and economic barriers.” Certainly a hope for our time, is it not!

As followers of Jesus, we understand that God is the source of all love: familial, neighbor, romantic. Our capacity to love is part of the image of God in which we are created, and love is the life to which we are called. Love of God, Love of Neighbor.

The Metta practice begins acknowledging our belovedness – never easy, and then extending that love to those closest to us, and ultimately including the “tough customers” in our lives. It is a simple practice that promises to fill your cup to the brim, allowing lovingkindness to spill into the world.

A simplified version of this practice goes like this:

Find a quiet place and about 10 minutes. Even five, if you are just starting.

Settle your breathing. Imagine being bathed in a warm light. Breathe slowly in and out for a few cycles. Then repeat this:

May I be at peace. May my heart remain open.

May I awaken to the light of my own true nature.

May I be healed. May I be a source of healing for all beings.

Now cast your mind to include a few of your most/closest beloved. Turn the meditation toward them.

May you be at peace. May your heart remain open.

May you awaken to the light of your own true nature.

May you be healed. May you be a source of healing for all beings.

Now cast your mind to include that person or persons most difficult for you and repeat the same blessing.

When you feel “done” – which may be five minutes or 15 or more – breathe slowly a few more cycles and come back to wakefulness.

This practice in the presence of God is intended to create within you a well of lovingkindness, acceptance, equanimity, and world-transforming peace. As you imagine God’s love brimming over onto the world, this type of intentional practice allows you to enter into and be a vessel for that love.

In addition, there are proven benefits of meditation: lower blood pressure, reduced anxiety, better digestion, less reactivity to discomfort or conflict, more recuperative sleep.

During Lent we are also offering a congregational book read; My Grandmother’s Hands by Resma Menakem. Beginning March 9, we will gather each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in person or on Zoom for a chance to reflect, learn, and experience other practices that heal our community and our bodies and fill our collective cups.

Bring your empty hands, your open heart and join the journey.

Peace,

Pastor Chris

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Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!