Lenten Writing Project Reboot 2020! Writers' Reflections in the Wilderness of Lent
Words of Faith
Spirit to Spirit Writing Project
The word Lentcomes from an old English word meaning lengthening of days. In Christianity, it refers to the time before Easter, traditionally observed through repentance and learning. It's a season to be intentional about changing and growing. Some people give up items to create space and time for new life and habits to grow. Instead of giving something up, I invite you to try to commit to answering these writing prompts each of the 40 days of Lent. The discipline it takes to set aside time each day to reflect and write about God and your relationship with spirituality is a journey that you will emerge from with a renewed spirit. Every writer has their own special voice to add to this project, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists, or through comments, prayer, and encouragement.
How do I participate? Each day, a writing prompt will be posted. A prompt is a question or statement that is meant to inspire your thoughts in whatever genre you feel moved to write. Post your reflections as a comment under each day's prompt (for further instructions, see 'How To Post' on the right side of the page). It is up to you if you write, read, or pray along with us each of the 40 days of Lent or just drop in from time to time when the spirit moves you to participate. Writing regularly is a discipline that many writers struggle with and this is a way to involve that discipline as a Lenten practice. Through writing and leaving encouraging words for others in this project, we become a supportive spiritual writing community
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Holy Saturday
Today is a day of waiting. What do you do while you wait for Easter? What do you think the Disciples did?
Hastily gathered into a spare tomb, Jesus’ husk lies; Beloved, betrayed, ennobled, he has stepped across. Silence fills this holy day, imaginations, possibility flies. Shroud wrapped, spices roughly applied, body unembossed.
Speculation always allowed, comes to a contemplative spot. Creeds claim a trip to Hell, a visit with the dead. Most likely a depth of mystery to be ever uncaught; Quiet meditation this day, captures joy and dread.
Word Become Flesh ever dwells in Triune harmony. Incarnation proclaims solidarity with the created side. True God - true man, a paradox, a spiritual symphony; This day the sweet solitude preceding Easter’s wild ride.
Once eternity’s base rock is found, Creator renews all. Spirit fills this deep quiet with solemnity, visceral joy. Word Become Flesh assumes a pre-resurrection thrall. Almighty Trinity upholds salvations plan, all hope does buoy.
Satan abandoned by the Enemy, worst nightmare scale, Reluctantly awaits the final act without control; Minions simper, demons lollygag, evil spirits can’t assail. Hell’s an empty Launchpad; Isolation cell without parole.
No victory ever imagined has come to pass like this. Gloating ego relinquished, eternal life’s promise complete. No power play; no battlefield ploy; just assured heavenly bliss. Servants of life, love, forgiveness, grace, mercy replete;
Sooner than time can measure, Word Become Flesh will return. In this moment we meet Him, note his body’s marks real. Our bodies too, capture the truth of life, changes discern. Again we have been led safely, as once the children of Israel.
Sisters, brothers Lent comes to a close once more. Holy Saturday marks its true end, life’s beginning. Creator’s garden of delight, the other side of death’s door; Let us live fully this precious now, Christ has done the winning.
Descending Ascent
ReplyDeleteHastily gathered into a spare tomb, Jesus’ husk lies;
Beloved, betrayed, ennobled, he has stepped across.
Silence fills this holy day, imaginations, possibility flies.
Shroud wrapped, spices roughly applied, body unembossed.
Speculation always allowed, comes to a contemplative spot.
Creeds claim a trip to Hell, a visit with the dead.
Most likely a depth of mystery to be ever uncaught;
Quiet meditation this day, captures joy and dread.
Word Become Flesh ever dwells in Triune harmony.
Incarnation proclaims solidarity with the created side.
True God - true man, a paradox, a spiritual symphony;
This day the sweet solitude preceding Easter’s wild ride.
Once eternity’s base rock is found, Creator renews all.
Spirit fills this deep quiet with solemnity, visceral joy.
Word Become Flesh assumes a pre-resurrection thrall.
Almighty Trinity upholds salvations plan, all hope does buoy.
Satan abandoned by the Enemy, worst nightmare scale,
Reluctantly awaits the final act without control;
Minions simper, demons lollygag, evil spirits can’t assail.
Hell’s an empty Launchpad; Isolation cell without parole.
No victory ever imagined has come to pass like this.
Gloating ego relinquished, eternal life’s promise complete.
No power play; no battlefield ploy; just assured heavenly bliss.
Servants of life, love, forgiveness, grace, mercy replete;
Sooner than time can measure, Word Become Flesh will return.
In this moment we meet Him, note his body’s marks real.
Our bodies too, capture the truth of life, changes discern.
Again we have been led safely, as once the children of Israel.
Sisters, brothers Lent comes to a close once more.
Holy Saturday marks its true end, life’s beginning.
Creator’s garden of delight, the other side of death’s door;
Let us live fully this precious now, Christ has done the winning.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
30.3.13