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The kickoff to the season of Lent can raise many different images, and not all of them forward-looking. From my youth Lent meant purple-shrouded statues, solemn Stations of the Cross, and an overall notion of sacrifice and self-denial. This year Ash Wednesday even marks the release of Mel Gibson's controversial and gory "The Passion of the Christ" dramatizing the suffering and execution during the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus. On my way home from Ash Wednesday observances at SJA I heard a reviewer refer to the movie as "Jesus Chainsaw Massacre", and realized how that differed from what I had just witnessed from our community.
The theme for Lent at SJA this year was pronounced by Father George as "See Beyond". The choir sang a prayer to..."Open my eyes Lord, Let me see your face. Open my eyes Lord, Open to Love". This supplication asks us to indeed look forward; to strive to see in a new way in this season; to transform the illusions of Materialism and see the real wonders of life.
The evening starts, as many years of tradition at SJA would have it, with a celebratory soup supper held in Hospitality Hall. I had heard of past years' bounty, variety, and largess, and decided to witness it myself. My pot of soup joined a wide variety of other soups...including chowders, peas, beans, noodles, herbs, vegetables, chilis, grains, and yes some recipes that included meat items. It was a remarkable smorgasbord of varieties, all obviously prepared with love and attention. There were no less than two-dozen pots in two-gallon or larger size with eight or ten hot and available for serving at any one time.
The bowls of soup were accompanied by plates of assorted breads placed at the tables. Peanut butter, jelly, and butter/spread was available as well. The breads I tried certainly needed no help as they were tasty blends of grain, herbs, and other joys. The usual apple cider or water were available to quench thirst. The soup supper serves upwards of 600 people on this night, but lines moved swiftly and a deft team of volunteers kept bowls washed, spoons ready, and tables cleared. It was a wonderful mix of faces, tastes, and flavors which served as a start to an evening which had much in store.
From Hospitality Hall people migrated to the upper church to join Steve Kremer and crew for a sing-along. The joy and mirth which always accompanies SJA music offerings was evident as people prepared for the main service which began in the Gym at 7:30. The full SJA choir was in attendance and most all seats were filled. Father George introduced the idea of "See Beyond" and invited us to use Lent to look at things, people, and life in a new way. Michael Hennessey and a group of parishioners interpreted the fable "The Emperor Has No Clothes", while stories were told of life events that inspired people to gain new perspective and insight. The whole theme was a poignant reflection on looking beyond illusions. With the blessing of the ashes we were invited to reflect on our desire to grow and find the truths of what it means to believe in Jesus.
The ashes used at SJA are gathered in the usual Roman Catholic tradition...they are the product of the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. The distribution and anointment occurs in a slightly different manner, however. As lines of participants come forward, people are anointed by the member in front of you. You then ask the name of the person behind, and using their name place a cross of ashes on their forehead while saying "Open your eyes and your heart".
These following weeks of the Lenten season will allow us to develop further the "See Beyond" idea during Sunday services and also during the regular Wednesday night soup suppers.
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