A Season of Oranges and of Ashes

From Feb 21

Lent comes to Luther House - Feb 2010

The following are a series of guiding images from the message I delivered in worship on February 21:

+ Red & Gold, Fellowship and Feasting indicate that this is a season of celebration and abundance.

+ The Black Stains of Soot and Oil, lingering since Wednesday, indicate that this is a season of reflection and restraint.

Oranges on the one hand, Ashes on the other. Prosperity and Mortality standing side by side. Both lay a claim on our identity as signs and symbols of our cultures, our creeds, and our shared humanity.

Into this mixing of Chinese New Year and Lent comes our text for the day - even more stark and bare than an ashen cross upon the brow. Through it we are led to the deeper source of our identity, to the Word and to the Water.