Lent can feel like a personal observance. We individually pray and meditate on the coming death and resurrection of Jesus. We each wrestle with what to sacrifice or set aside during Lent, as well as how to use our time and what to incorporate into our spiritual practice.
As I reflect back on Lenten seasons my cherished memory is of two people who unintentionally worked together to use a Lent gathering to bless each other.
As I reflect back on Lenten seasons my cherished memory is of two people who unintentionally worked together to use a Lent gathering to bless each other.
I was leading a Lent retreat with the focus on prayer. We used interactive sensory stations to help us with our focus. One of the stations involved weaving ribbons to form a community prayer wall hanging. The retreat attendees were asked to write the name of a person they were committing to pray for this season and then add the ribbon to the weaving. One retreat participant wrote down a name and wanted to weave it into a spot on the top of the weaving, but she could not reach it. She asked a tall retreat attendee, a man who happened to have a developmental disability, to weave it in for her. He did and they exchanged a hug.
Their simple task of working together created a relationship which they both needed. She committed to pray for him during Lent and sought him out throughout the season to affirm their friendship.
The individual task of praying brought these two people together and guided them to pray for each other. Their friendship extended beyond the 40 days of Lent as they are now committed to praying for each other long after the season ended.
About the author
Lida Merrill
Lida Merrill, a 2006 graduate of Northeastern Seminary, dedicated 26 years to leading the spiritual life team at Heritage Christian Services. As part of her work, she led an interactive Ash Wednesday service at East Rochester United Methodist Church, where members of the congregation joined a group of individuals with disabilities in worship. This reflection comes from one of those meaningful gatherings.