Reflections on the trip from the Mountain to the Valley

As we journey the three short days from Transfiguration Sunday to Ash Wednesday, we make a journey that has much in common with the trip that Peter, James and John made down the mountain, after they saw a transformation in Jesus and heard God identify Jesus as God's son. The disciples had the spiritual "high" of being in the presence of God. Only too quickly, they were back down with the crowds in the valley, and reminded of their inability to cure a little boy and chastised by Jesus for their lack of faith. From a spiritual pinnacle they dropped back in to everyday life with all its problems, difficulties and failings. As if that were not enough, they kept hearing Jesus talk about his death. They didn't quite understand it, but they knew enough to be unsettled.

Now we, for the past six weeks, have been celebrating the Epiphany season: enjoying the Feast of Epiphany with its lights, singing and joy, hearing the stories of how Jesus came to be known early in his ministry, and savoring this time of his early miracles. With the disciples, we marveled at Jesus transfiguration. We have enjoyed this season of light that brightens the darkness of our winter season.

Now, only too quickly Lent approaches. Quickly we are moving from the joyous time of Epiphany into the time of reflection, prayer and spiritual preparation of Lent. For those of us who live in northern New England, this is still a dark time of year. Although the sun is brighter and higher than in December, it is still very much winter. We know that it will be weeks until we see the first crocus. This descent into Lent, in a northern winter climate, is sometimes very difficult both mentally and spiritually. We would like to transit quickly to spring, Easter and the resurrection. But just as Jesus lingered in the wilderness for 40 days, being prepared for his ministry, we are called to linger for 40 days in Lent. We linger for 40 days in the valley of Lent. While we are in this valley, we slow down, but are not idle. We slow down so that we can pray and reflect--so that we can linger and listen. God told the disciples to listen to God's Son. God tells us also to listen. In order to listen, we have to slow down and quiet all the voices that are demanding our attention.

It may be easier and more fruitful to think of Lent as a time of quiet and listening rather than fasting and deprivation. In our rushed, busy, frenetic culture, having a time to linger and listen may be a gift that calms our spirits and makes us even more ready to enjoy the celebration of the resurrection. May you approach Lent with a longing to listen and reflect and may you sense, ever more deeply, the presence of God in this time.