I was raised in the Episcopal Church and every year on Ash Wednesday we would put away our “Alleluias” during the time of lent. In an Episcopal service alleluias are a celebration. I’ve always loved the word; it’s a word of rejoicing, a word of excitement as we entered Easter. On Easter Sunday we would practically scream them together.
This year has been anything but just another Lent and, if you are anything like me, you entered with ideas of self-denial and deeper introspection, but this will surely be a Lent you never forget.
Many of us have been left with way too much time for self-introspection- it’s been a time where we are at least anxious, if not worried. But what a time we have been given1 A time to put others before ourselves, to lift one another up in prayer, to pray over the whole world, and to look for and to lift up Alleluias! So I ask you, family, church of Second Presbyterian, where are your Alleluias? Where are you lifting up and rejoicing at this time? Are you seeking them, are you praying for them?
Let’s pray together for Alleluias in the quiet parts of our day, in the moments where children’s school work is overtaking us, when loneliness is creeping in, in the middle of the night when we wonder about the future, when we talk on the phone to our grandchildren, or simply sit down with a cup of tea… where are your Alleluias right now?
Please join me in praying for daily Alleluias and when you see them and when you find them, send them to me and let us, as a church, celebrate with you!
