The mystery and beauty of God

Two readers kindly pointed me to an MSNBC article Evangelicals' new twist on Lent: Catholic traditions adopted as 'worship renewal', which says in part:

This increasing connection with Christianity's classical traditions goes beyond Lent. Some evangelical churches offer confession and weekly communion. They distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday and light Advent calendars at Christmastime.

Now I have never lit an Advent calendar and I doubt that is the new twist on catholic traditions the article is interested in. I imagine they are lighting Advent wreaths and opening Advent calendars to find the chocolate they now give up for Lent. But I find the trend interesting. As to why the change is taking place? I think it is put well by John Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship who is quoted in the article saying,

I definitely sense a hunger for acknowledgment of life's mysteries and of the mystery and beauty of God. There's a hunger for deeper engagement—Don't just sell me a product at church, but really put me in touch with the mystery and beauty of God.

At least they see not as a chore but as a joy. It is to be a time of taking on spiritual practices and disciplines that help you be more intentional about being a spiritual being and finding ways to nurture that side of you. I couldn't agree more.

At King of Peace's website you'll find more on Keeping a Holy Lent.

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor

Our hearts are restless
until they find their rest in you.
—Saint Augustine of Hippo