This Ash Wednesday, I did not go to the usual place of worship, but not because I was intentionally delinquent. I was scheduled to minister to the faithful in the parish of St. Ann, and looked forward to what God would have done via that experience, but alas, I was hit by a bug that afflicted me with upper respiratory challenges, compounded by severe pains in my chest, each time I cough, and an overall weakness, which made me unable to keep that commitment. Sigh!

To say that I was overcome by an initial sadness, does not tell the whole story. I had to pull myself back from an aimless wander down self-pity lane, and instead, listen to the still small voice of calm, which while refusing to increase its decibel, was relentless in its intensity. I paused long enough to listen, and what I heard, moved me…to write.

It has been a while since I did this, and I will not try to offer a reason. I have found, and believe it may be the same for you, that God’s ability to break in upon human consciousness, is never early or late, but rather, always on time!

Having planned to use the Old Testament reading from the minor prophet Joel (2:1-2; 12-17) as the springboard from which I would launch the sermon I wanted to preach, the Spirit moved me this morning, to listen to a reading of it.

Do you find that sometimes when you think you know a particular scripture text, when you have read and re-read it to the point of knowing it from memory, God turns the tables on you, by pointing to the most un-spectacular word or phrase, communicating via said medium, a divine word…a truth, you never thought of before? Well, that is what happened earlier, when I listened to rather than read for the umpteenth time, the earlier referenced text.

As I listened a second time, prompted by the narrator, I opened the ears of my heart, for a word or phrase that spoke decisively to me. The phrase was Even Now. Really God…how much more unflattering could those two words be? But, as they began to beat a syncopated rhythm upon my heart, I was prompted in listening, to allow the dance of my thoughts, to be directed by the divine conductor.

I have no intention of boring you with minutiae, so I will just get to the point by saying that what I heard in that phrase, was the message that as bleak and bothersome, as unfathomable, and uncertain, as the times seem to be, and in fact are, there is still time. God is still holding out, for you and for me. Hallelujah!

Even now: in other words, situations (individual, global, ecclesial) notwithstanding, our ever-loving, all-compassionate God, is willing, ready, and able, to save us, even from our very selves. But, how, rather than why, was the immediate question that my mind asked. In an instant the response came. The latter has already been answered, by the indisputable reality of the being of an ever-loving and compassionate God. So again, how? As I stilled myself and listened further, I heard the further response.

A couple of weeks ago, I read in one of the daily meditations from the Centers for Action and Contemplation (CAC), Fr. Richard Rohr’s very poignant and pertinent reflection on the parable of the New Wine and the Wineskins (Matthew 9:17). Below is a quotation from his reflection.

“Without new wineskins—changed institutions, systems, and structures—I would argue that transformation cannot be deep or lasting.”

That quote, having sat within the recesses of my heart’s chamber, came rushing to the front as I listened to the reading from Joel, and it assumed a spirit all its own, as the narrator’s voice hovered over verse 17.

I would never lay claim to any prophetic gifting and yet as I listened, what became crystal clear, is God saying to the Jamaican Church, especially to the Anglican diocese, caught as it is at this time, at a very busy intersection of decision-making, that will determine not only who will lead it into the new season, but how such leadership ought to be engaged, is that the ordained need to learn again, tutored by none other than the Blessed Holy Spirit, how to pray!

Yes, you read/heard right the first time. We who are called to shepherd God’s flock to safe pasture and pleasant grazing in the company of the chief shepherd, must learn again the fine art of intercession, the form and content of which will be written daily, upon our surrendered hearts, as we stand before the Almighty, on behalf of a bewildered and beleaguered people.

The preceding verse 16, provides some insight into the breadth of such intercession. In sum, it ought to cover everyone, from the cradle to the grave, with no exceptions. As I listened, I understood the prophet Isaiah’s declaration of woe (6:5). I felt my own unworthiness, a woman of unclean lips, dwelling among a people with similar characteristics. But this was the message that lodged deep in my gut, and I knew that if I were to keep it to myself, like yet another prophet, this time Jeremiah, it would, like a raging fire, consume me (20:9).

This Lent, therefore, I shall use this medium to encourage all who will read these notes, especially those of the household of faith, within the diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, to begin the process of discarding the Old Wineskins: the traditions, customs, attitudes, and behaviors, that have been rendered redundant, and therefore, cannot…will not hold the New Wine, of God’s effervescent joy, which is meant to strengthen us for the journey that is ahead. Let us, also, who are privileged to have been given a vocation to lead God’s flock, remember that for such a time as this, were we called. Therefore…

Even Now, God is waiting for us in partnership with the Trinity, to lead the flock towards a celebration of Easter, beginning with this Lenten observance of fasting and prayer, so that reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20b), we may facilitate others with us, to store up treasures, where neither moth, nor rust, nor thieves, will be able to attack or steal them.

Until next time, stay safe and well, as you remain in God’s grip!

Grace+