We are approaching a very early lenten season. In one sense, it is one of the most spiritually profound seasons in the church year. At the same time, it is one of the most demanding seasons for a Christian pastor. Some of you will know that I am offering a brief gift of fiction for clergy and other lovers of the journey beginning Monday, Feb. 11. Each Monday from that day through Easter, I will post an installment of an 8 part story called “The Hypocritical Oath for Pastors” that I hope you will find a fun diversion from all the demand on your time. As I have been developing the flexible theme of Sabbath moments, I hope that you will find this as one of them.
Think about other ways that in a brief moment of time in the midst of your hectic schedule you can nurture your own spiritual life. Lent has been traditionally seen as a season of repentance and re-dedication in your faith preceding the glorious celebration of Easter.
One possibility for you would be to commit yourself to reading a brief Scriptural passage immediately upon entering your office each day and spending no more than 10 minutes in prayer during this Lenten season. You can either choose a random passage and see where that leads you or get a daily lectionary that might provide you a seasonally appropriate passage each day.
Remember that you are not reading in preparation for a sermon or class but simply to pray the question, “Lord, if you wish to speak to me through this passage on this day, what is it you would like me to hear?” You might even want to write no more than one sentence each day of the thought that has occurred to you. Then during holy week, you could review the cumulative way that you have heard during this season.
Let this be outside of all the other demands of your life and let it be only for you.
