The Lenten Season is a time of cleansing and releasing as we prepare ourselves to be open and receptive to the teachings of Jesus. It is a time for casting off the chains, the pains and the games of the past. It is a time for shrugging off the burden of old memories and thought patterns, what we often refer to as "old tapes".
Disappointments and failures of the past must be left behind--"let the dead bury the dead." We must release the negative energy of toxic emotions, flush them out of our system and return them to the purifying fires of Spirit. It's a bit like transforming debris into natural mulch and amendments--the more we work into the garden, the richer the soil becomes as we create a foundation for a beautiful garden to nurture mind, body and soul.
The Lenten Season is also about purifying the body and the mind. We fast from those things which do not nurture our bodies and focus upon that which strengthens and heals us. Good food, good friends and physical exercise improve the quality of life and encourage positive attitudes and a desire for spiritual growth. We nurture our soul through prayer, meditation and study.
The biblical tradition of a unique or special birth applied to both Jesus and John the Baptist. While Jesus grew up in a more traditional family setting, John followed the path of the ascetic, living in solitude as he prepared himself for God's calling. In a sense, he served as the 'opening act' for Jesus, calling people to a conscious awareness of the Presence and Power of God and the coming of the Messiah.
Anchored in the traditions of the Prophets, John the Baptist set out to transform the Chosen People. His was a fiery vision and passion for the Kingdom of Heaven which demanded repentance with fear and trembling among the people. He insisted that being descendants of Abraham wasn't enough--the Chosen People must choose the path of righteousness and justify their lives by giving of themselves in service to God.
John the Baptist saw the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of Heaven as an imminent Judgment Day. Where John taught the fear of God, Jesus proclaimed the love of God for His creation. He envisioned a gradual transformation and spiritual growth within His followers, leading to the Kingdom of Heaven consciousness, drawing all people to His Father.
Disappointments and failures of the past must be left behind--"let the dead bury the dead." We must release the negative energy of toxic emotions, flush them out of our system and return them to the purifying fires of Spirit. It's a bit like transforming debris into natural mulch and amendments--the more we work into the garden, the richer the soil becomes as we create a foundation for a beautiful garden to nurture mind, body and soul.
The Lenten Season is also about purifying the body and the mind. We fast from those things which do not nurture our bodies and focus upon that which strengthens and heals us. Good food, good friends and physical exercise improve the quality of life and encourage positive attitudes and a desire for spiritual growth. We nurture our soul through prayer, meditation and study.
The biblical tradition of a unique or special birth applied to both Jesus and John the Baptist. While Jesus grew up in a more traditional family setting, John followed the path of the ascetic, living in solitude as he prepared himself for God's calling. In a sense, he served as the 'opening act' for Jesus, calling people to a conscious awareness of the Presence and Power of God and the coming of the Messiah.
Anchored in the traditions of the Prophets, John the Baptist set out to transform the Chosen People. His was a fiery vision and passion for the Kingdom of Heaven which demanded repentance with fear and trembling among the people. He insisted that being descendants of Abraham wasn't enough--the Chosen People must choose the path of righteousness and justify their lives by giving of themselves in service to God.
John the Baptist saw the coming of the Messiah and the Kingdom of Heaven as an imminent Judgment Day. Where John taught the fear of God, Jesus proclaimed the love of God for His creation. He envisioned a gradual transformation and spiritual growth within His followers, leading to the Kingdom of Heaven consciousness, drawing all people to His Father.
The author of Luke 3:4-6 saw John as a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy:
The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare ye the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Prepare ye the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
If we study this verse from a metaphysical view point, we find the inner path to change and personal transformation. We are called to clear the paths of the Lord, becoming open and receptive to His message. As we fill the valleys and level the playing field, we are lifted up from ignorance and poverty of Spirit. Bringing the mountains and hills of pride and prejudice low opens us up to a more teachable mind set. Straightening the crooked places, again, clears the mind of the twists and turns of duplicitous thinking and bargaining with God. Smoothing out the rough places clears away resistance to change and brings us back to God consciousness.
We must eliminate every physical, mental and spiritual block--anything which stands in the way of our personal growth--and become more attuned to the teachings of Jesus. The good we performed yesterday belongs to yesterday. Each day we must choose again to reach out to learn, to serve and to grow into our full potential as the children of God.
John the Baptist focused on the Baptism of Repentance as the key to salvation. During the Lenten Season, we focus on changing our mind and behavior, fasting from negative thoughts, words and actions. We must let go the belief in lack and limitation in preparation for Easter.
John created a fiery expectation in the minds and hearts of those he baptized, building to a crescendo of anticipation for the coming Messiah and the Kingdom of Heaven. Many have questioned why Jesus, who was without sin, should be baptized by John for remission of sins. The baptism with water preceded the baptism of Spirit and the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and proclaimed the beginning of the His ministry.
Unity's Spiritual Preparation for Easter 2009 has this message for the first Sunday of Lent:
We must eliminate every physical, mental and spiritual block--anything which stands in the way of our personal growth--and become more attuned to the teachings of Jesus. The good we performed yesterday belongs to yesterday. Each day we must choose again to reach out to learn, to serve and to grow into our full potential as the children of God.
John the Baptist focused on the Baptism of Repentance as the key to salvation. During the Lenten Season, we focus on changing our mind and behavior, fasting from negative thoughts, words and actions. We must let go the belief in lack and limitation in preparation for Easter.
John created a fiery expectation in the minds and hearts of those he baptized, building to a crescendo of anticipation for the coming Messiah and the Kingdom of Heaven. Many have questioned why Jesus, who was without sin, should be baptized by John for remission of sins. The baptism with water preceded the baptism of Spirit and the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and proclaimed the beginning of the His ministry.
Unity's Spiritual Preparation for Easter 2009 has this message for the first Sunday of Lent:
Listen, My Beloved,
I am the wisdom of your heart.
You are wise beyond measure. You are so wise
that only loving, helpful, kind words are written
in your heart.
Your mind writes only the melodies of harmony
and understanding.
Your life is like a book, filled with stories that
inspire others to be their best selves.
Let the wisdom of your heart flow through your
thoughts, words and actions to bless
each life you touch.
Look within for peace. Look for My presence always.
Look for My love in every expression.
Live each day knowing that I love you, My Beloved.
Give yourself completely to Me in this moment of
sweet silent communion, and let Me show you
the way.
I am the wisdom of your heart.
You are wise beyond measure. You are so wise
that only loving, helpful, kind words are written
in your heart.
Your mind writes only the melodies of harmony
and understanding.
Your life is like a book, filled with stories that
inspire others to be their best selves.
Let the wisdom of your heart flow through your
thoughts, words and actions to bless
each life you touch.
Look within for peace. Look for My presence always.
Look for My love in every expression.
Live each day knowing that I love you, My Beloved.
Give yourself completely to Me in this moment of
sweet silent communion, and let Me show you
the way.
Excerpt from Sunday Lesson
Rev. Claudia Naylor
