Lenten Activities 2010

[GUMC Guam United Methodist Church]

Friends and Family of Guam United Methodist Church:

 

I am not so sure whether I should name this subject in this general gmail, "Lenten Activities 2010."  The title somewhat denotes it is an activity (an action) and we better participate in it. I want to treat this "activities" less of an activity to follow with rigid schedules to make it happen. I want us to see this more of a pilgrim, a slow approach, a meditative journey into the Lenten season. And with caution, pondering, and determined effort to be in Christ, think of the thoughts of Christ as he descends to his death on the cross by our rebelliousness and defiance to God's plan for our lives.  What a long, preambolic sentence I just did!

Decades ago, Lent is an awaited time to be reflective about what's going on with our lives. It was usually the time to keep up with our Bible reading, open to Lenten studies, dressed conservatively, refrain from ostentatious display of wealth, selective of the food to eat, more polite and polished in our speech, and if possible go to a retreat. There is no mistaking I am conservative--with regards to this one.

 

Of course, the above happened during pre-Mall era, less exciting shows to watch on t.v., and both employees and employers realized how important a day or two spent to observe Lent.  Good Friday was definitely a respected day to observe.

 

My daughter, Shalom, reminded me that we don't do those lengthy list of things to do during Lent.  It could be even worse after Lent! We could feel our desires were suppressed during Lent and double our order or supersized them. She said let us observe Lent for the right reason.  Diet or fasting during Lent not to come up with a lower size and acquire a coca-cola

body.  Others go fasting (an excellent Wesleyan  practice) to empty themselves and allow the Spirit to come, give the money they saved from less eating to charity. And vicariously suffer deprivation like what Jesus experienced.

 

Lent season could be an exercise, a trial balloon if you like, or simply an attempt to be religious in an unreligious world.  Could we be more Christ after Lent?  Could our over indulgence with food be challenged during Lent, such that after the season of repentance and remorse, we become more mindful of the world's poverty and our poor health as a result of over-eating, give us a new look, the "new me" and we become healthier?

 

When I was much younger I worked as janitor, secretary, youth worker, and pastor. Just by myself as the only paid staff I served in a suburb of Manila. December was very busy all the time with Simbang Gabi, caroling, Christmas Institute, and a lot of parties.  It was an annual trip for me to go to the hospital.  Not really sick.  I lost my voice, a little bit of cold, and simply feeling exhausted. The United Methodist Hospital in Tondo, Mary Johnston, would take me in for a couple of days just to recover.

 

I hope that this Lenten season, the Semana Santa, the Holy Week, could be something like a trip to a hospital for rest, reflection, and a time to be alone with God.  To give our worn out physical and spiritual bodies some needed rest.  We need that, don't you think?

 

During the War in the Pacific in the Philippines, at the eve of Gen. Douglas McArthur's "Return" to the Philippines, the word was heard about the fabled Gen. Yamashita's treasure.

The treasure consists of gold bars, coins, and valuable metals the Philippine government owned since the Spanish period.  It was believed that this treasure was buried in the highlands, several hours from Baguio City.

 

After the War, treasure hunters made their trips close to where the treasure was believed to have been buried.  A group from United States tried their luck to find those ancient golds and coins worth millions of dollars.  They hired the natives who knew the terrain well and with strong legs to carry their mountain equipment.  The Americans don't want to waste time.  They want to find the buried treasures, sell the find, and realize millions of dollars from the expedition.

 

However, strong and knowlegeable the highlanders were in the mountain provinces of Luzon, they sat and waited after three hours of almost non stop brisk walking and running. This was to the displeasure of the treasurer hunters who wanted no time wasted.

 

Finally, one of the local men talked to the leader of the expedition and said, "We are walking too fast, we want to accomplish our goal in just a short time, and as a result we are leaving our spirits behind."

 

Lent is an opportunity to catch up with our spirits we could be leaving behind.  We are marching toward what we think is progress; and keeping up with the Joneses a race we will never win, and in the process lose our sanity, lose things our priests and pastors, uncles and aunts, and parents, Sunday School teachers, tell us ought not to happen.

 

What profit a person if s/he gains the whole world...

 

 

The Holy Week beginning Palm/Passion, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are some of the highlights of the Lenten season that started during Ash Wednesday.

 

I encourage you to spend more time to meditate and ponder upon scriptural passages, join a prayer group or Lenten study, sign up for our Prayer Vigil on the evening of Good Friday.

 

In Christ,

 

Pastor Fred 

Guam United Methodist Church