For Valentine's Day I bought Ginger orchids – her favorite flower. After displaying them, she put them in a container and set them on the windowsill in the kitchen. Since then, a caterpillar took up residence and spun itself into a cocoon on one of the leaves (see photo). Not sure where this little guy came from, but we’re thinking it moved to the orchids from an herb she bought recently which she also had placed on the sill.

Of course, caterpillars, cocoons and butterflies are often used as a metaphor for transformation. But I had never heard of it applied to Lent before until my wife mentioned the parallel this morning. Thinking about it for a bit, I realized what a great point that is.

In our readings for Lent, we walk with our Lord through the desert and eventually in Holy Week to the cross where he died. All of this happened according to the Father’s plan so as to triumph over Satan, sin and death. And the pinnacle of Jesus’ passion was the resurrection – the greatest transformation the world has ever known – one that took him from death to life.

As we reflect on this, I think it’s helpful to remember that our Lenten efforts are not arbitrary simply in terms of what we decide to fast or the disciplines we decide to enact. Rather they are meant to be tied to Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. And we prepare not for the sake of self-discipline or to earn anything, but rather our fasting is meant as a means of connection to the Lord through the Spirit whereby we experience his presence as we take up our cross and follow him.

If we allow him, I believe the Holy Spirit will take what we offer regarding our Lenten devotion and use it to weave our hearts into a cocoon of sorts. The point, of course, is not to stay there but rather through his Spirit to experience the transforming resurrection power of our Lord. In the desert (and in the cocoon) then, there is purpose and a destination that is more glorious than we can imagine, both in this life, in terms of what God is working out in us, and in the one to come where we will be transformed into the glorious likeness of Christ.

May that be an encouraging thought as we begin this journey of Lent together.

Blessings,

Fr. Darin+

Priest-in-charge