The Very Reverend Michael J. Pitts

Dear Friends,

Quite soon this year the cycle of the church’s calendar brings us to Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent.

The story of Lent is the story of Jesus struggling in the desert with God and the devil about the meaning and nature of the ministry on which he was about to embark. As he returned from the wilderness, strengthened both by the contest and by the angelic food that nourished him, he proclaimed the Gospel:

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." (Mark 1:15 NRSV)

Repentance is a key theme of Lent. Over the centuries it has come to mean turning away from sins, and the sins from which we are supposed to turn have been quite narrowly defined. But the original meaning of the word used in the Gospels, is to change one’s mind. As I look at the rest of the Gospel message I suspect that, in challenging their hearers and us to repent, both John the Baptist and Jesus are asking that we “think outside the box”, that we be courageous and ready to move in new directions, not just in our religious thinking, but in our whole framework and outlook on life.

Mark’s summary of Jesus’ message also links repentance with the fulfilling of the times and the coming of the Kingdom of God. It was an apocalyptic message for apocalyptic times. Jesus and the first Christians lived in apocalyptic times, times when the world, with its political, religious and interpretative structures, was shaken. Apocalyptic times are shaking times when, to those who care to see, the real nature of the world is revealed, when good and evil can be discerned, and when decisions have to be made.

We too live in apocalyptic times. The world is shaking, not only with terrorism, but with war and violence, oppression and poverty, and the abuse of the biosphere. Our interpretative frameworks too are shaking, as we are forced to inter-react with people of faiths and philosophies quite different from our own. In the middle of all this we are called to discern the way of God and to make courageous decisions.

Easter has a hopeful message. It speaks of the mysterious resurrection of Jesus. It does not offer us any easy Alleluias or any escape form the struggle. Jesus reached his victory only through his life-long contest, which began that first Lent, and he calls us with the challenge:

"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34b NRSV)

But Easter does assure us that Jesus has already won the struggle in which we are called to be engaged. I believe that today that struggle and the decisions we have to make are about the very future of the world and of humanity. Elsewhere in this web site you can find details of the liturgy of Lent and Easter, through which in word, action and music we shall enter into the struggle. There are also details of opportunities to reflect and discuss these matters. If you are in Montreal during this season, I hope you may be able to join us.

I wish you a Holy Lent and Happy Easter.

Michael J. Pitts,
Dean and Rector