Broken, Exposed, Resurrected: A 12-Step Journey Thru Lent – Unbinding
As we head toward Holy Week, take a moment to check in with yourself and your neighbors and figure out how you can unbind yourself from fear and/or despair by being an agent of Love.
With the school shooting in Nashville and more antiqueer and antitrans legislation and all the other things going on in the world, this week has felt very heavy. In some ways, it is an appropriate feeling for Lent; the brokenness of humanity is on full display. On the other hand, though, it is a challenge to seek God out amidst all the fear and pain.
I’m hoping the Twelve Steps have provided more tools, or enhanced the ones you already had, to cope with the stressors life in these times brings. The Steps provide an excellent spiritual framework to keep us mindful of our own need for God’s love and guidance. We can easily fall into fear and hatred – of our neighbors and/or ourselves – if we do not pay attention.
There is already enough fear in the world and too many people mistake fearful ways with holy ways. We can unbind ourselves from fear before hatred takes root. We know another way is possible if we can trust that holy ways are the ways of Love and they bring hope and healing rather than harm and hatred. Please do whatever you need to do to keep yourself grounded in Love as we approach Holy Week.
Are there smaller wrongs in your life you can set right by addressing them? Are there actions you can take on behalf of your neighbor to bring a bit more hope into the world? Can you be more gentle to Creation in the days to come? Maybe you need to take time and honor your bodymind with stillness, rest, or renewal. Maybe you just need to hold on for the warmth of Spring.
Whatever you need, know that you are not alone in trying to find the ways of Love. Rely on one another. Be patient with yourself and with those around you. Together we are strong enough to be the Bodymind of Christ the world needs in this moment.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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