The Last Alleluias

This coming Sunday is the last of the season of Epiphany. In a few short days, the words, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return." will be uttered over those who receive the imposition of ashes to mark the beginning of the season of Lent. From Ash Wednesday through the Great Vigil of Easter one word will be noticeably absent from our liturgies -- no "Alleluias" will be chanted, sung or said.

Along with the sparseness of the hymnody and the penitential tone of the words we will use during worship, the absence of any peep of an "Alleluia" will remind us that we are, indeed, in a VERY different season. Lent is meant to be wilderness-like...to grab us by the heart and usher us into a time of contemplation and yes, even repentance.

Contemplation and repentance can seem counterintuitive as the season of spring breaks out all around us. The lenten journey toward Easter is arduous and marathon-like. We do not journey alone, but with the blessed company of all faithful people. The journey begins in less than a week. Get ready. And this coming Sunday? Let those last "ALLELUIAS" ring!

Sent from my iPad