Can a person intentionally experience true inner transformation? Can a person welcome that transformation with joy? Metanoia is a Greek word meaning a spiritual and transformative change of heart, and it is the exact word for Lent. Based on the narrative of Jesus’ extended period of temptation in the wilderness, when he struggled to define his goals and ground rules, Lent is the classic time for self-examination in the church year. We are asked to retreat from our everyday routines, to do some inward examination, and to take stock of the direction of our lives. The great French philosopher Jacques Maritain said there are only three questions that must to be answered: "Who am I?" "Where am I?" and "Where ought I to be going?" Do you know? Are you sure? Or are you out of focus, your goals and pathways fuzzy and ill-defined?

Just as in the time of Jesus, most people are pulled in many different directions and don’t take the time to ask the big questions. But, Jesus took the time. If we are to be in solidarity with him, we too must take the time. With God’s grace we will experience a transformative change to a more focused direction and a sharpened resolve that will put us, like Jesus, in touch with those in our world who are in desperate need. As Easter approaches, we will have looked inward and reevaluated who we are, where we are going, and where we ought to be going. And when that Easter sun rises, the day will indeed be one of transformation and new paths. Come! Let us journey together.

The Reverend Lorna Grenfell

Our Lord,

who is in us here on earth,

holy is your name

in the hungry

who share their bread and their song.

Your Kingdom come

which is a generous land

that flows with milk and honey.

Let us do your will,

standing up when all are sitting down,

and raising our voice when all are silent.

You are giving us our daily bread

in the song of the bird

and the miracle of the corn.

Forgive us

for keeping silent in the face of injustice,

and for burying our dreams,

for not sharing bread and wine,

love and the land,

among us, now.

Don’t let us fall into the temptation

of shutting the door through fear;

of resigning ourselves to hunger and injustice;

of taking up the same arms as the enemy.

But deliver us from evil.

Give us the perseverance and the solidarity

to look for love,

even if the path has not yet been trodden,

even if we fall;

so we shall have known your kingdom

which is being built for ever and ever. Amen.

Central American Lord’s Prayer (shortened)

Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4