Lenten Reflections

Christine | February 22, 2010

My inner monk adores this Lenten season, this invitation to walk straight out into the desert and be present to all of the ways my inner demons (those forces that keep me from being free) wrestle inside of me. One of my favorite Biblical passages is the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel and after battling all night long, Jacob is wounded deeply in his hip and he demands a blessing which he receives. I remember the first time I heard this story again after a year or more of grieving over my mother's death. In that moment the story broke open inside of my heart. I could feel the way I had wrestled and been wounded, but also blessed.

I have the privilege of guiding 125 participants through a Lenten journey with the Benedictine Spiritual Practices of lectio divina, centering prayer, and praying the Hours through daily emails, weekly lessons, and guided meditations. Since there is not a discussion component (although several small groups formed to journey together) I rely on emails from participants and links to blog posts to get a sense of how the journey is unfolding. Here are some initial jewels of offering out in the desert. Perhaps something here will speak to your own soul's longing:

________________________________________________

Beth Patterson at Virtual Tea House offers a moving poem about placing ashes over her third eye.

Kayce Hughlett at Diamonds in the Sky with Lucy reflects on what it means to "rend one's heart."

Claire Bangasser at A Seat at the Table has been writing a lovely series of reflections on what is rising up from her prayer.

Louise Gallagher at Recover Your Joy writes this reflection on what it means to enter with her whole heart and some lovely images of what the desert of her heart means.

Sunrise Sister at Mind Sieve reflects on the start and meaning of her Lenten journey here, here, and here.

Terri Stewart at Thotful Spot reflects on her own Lenten wrestling.

__________________________________________

How is your own Lenten journey beginning to unfold?

What are the places of wrestling in the desert you have been called to?

__________________________________________