Worshiping in the Wilderness

You may remember that when Moses first came before Pharaoh, he requested permission for the enslaved Hebrews to go out into the wilderness to worship God, to celebrate a festival, offer sacrifices, and generally enjoy a great national cook-out. “We just need three days!” said Moses. That was a lie, but it the deception contained a kernel of truth. The people would encounter their God more directly, intimately, and unsettlingly than they ever had, but their discomfort was part of their path to redemption.

If you don’t already kneel during worship, you might consider trying it out during the confession or during the Eucharist. If your body won’t do that, what other gesture of humility could you bring into your Lenten worship? At 8am, we’ll be using the Rite I liturgy, which is already a little uncomfortable for some of us. In the 10am, we will substitute a solemn prayer over the people for the final blessing. Deacon Cindy will begin that with a call for us to bow down before the Lord. What could you do in your body or mind to answer that call?

At 5pm, the service will be a little dimmer and more penitential as has always been intended for traditional Evening Prayer. We will continue to use expansive language for God, but lean more into confession and assurance of pardon. The Eucharistic prayer for Holy Communion will reflect more frankly on Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

I am not suggesting we mortify our flesh with pain. Pain is never required to offer God heartfelt praise and thanksgiving. Instead I am proposing we consider how to be a little more vulnerable with God this Lenten Season. Let’s worship in the wilderness together on our way to the celebration of our redemption.

In peace,