Jesus' life, death, and resurrection unfolded under the rule of the Roman Empire, whose military, economic, and social control amounted to the biggest empire the world had ever seen.  Into this repressive environment, Jesus-followers instituted 'Love Feasts' - weekly meals where the sacrificial love of Jesus was remembered, practiced, and subversively chosen by those who sought a new way of being in the world.

Being chosen by God is often interpreted as being given elite status. But Jesus turns this understanding upside-down in through the parable of the great banquet.

The joy of the resurrection is all around us...the world turned upside down!

Jesus' command to love each other includes using our prayers as a method to love our neighbors. What can this look like? How do we love others through prayer? Our final prayer practice of Lent is the practice of intercession as we join Jesus in Jerusalem with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna!

Anger, sadness, disappointment. When we think of what "Christian folk" look like (in worship, in daily life) these are not often the expressions or emotions we associate with Jesus-followers. Shouldn't we be shiny and happy all the time? And yet. The Jesus story is a story of wholeness: including the full expression of all the things we feel and experience. This Sunday we experience the prayer practice of Lament.

We're busy. We know it. There is so much we don't get to - including paying attention to what's happening in our inner world. How do we slow down enough to hear the heartbeat of God in us and in our lives?

We're consumers. On a fundamental level we need to consume food, water, nourishment. And we also consume goods, services, and activities. Curiously, the life of Jesus invites us to challenge and even give up the basics we consume in order to grow. How does making room in this way DO THAT?

Our Lenten practice of prayer will draw us into our skin - reflecting and experiencing what it means that prayer is deeply connected to our lived, physical lives.

Lent has begun! This Sunday we set ourselves toward Jesus' cross and resurrection beginning our journey of Lent together though prayer. We'll set our posture and begin our practices with journaling and listening for the heartbeat of God.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent which is the 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. Lent is traditionally a penitential season and we will be focusing our hearts and minds in the practice of prayer.