Mid-Lent, Celebration in Masks, Charlevoix Franklin Arbuckle 1945
This morning as we arose, groggily, we sat with our morning coffee and I commented that it seems as though we have been living in a two-year-long season of Lent. This is the third Sunday of the six-week period of preparation for Holy Week and Easter and while there is always a sombre and reflective tone to the season, this year it weighs even heavier.
It's strange because at least we have the option of in-person worship whereas the last two years most congregations were restricted to online services. We can see the Lenten candles being extinguished, one by one, and sing our mask-muffled hymns.
This Thursday is the actual mid-point of the Lent and next Sunday is Laetare, or Joy Sunday, with a rose candle rather than purple. It's an invitation to come up for air, liturgically speaking. There is also a French-Canadian celebration called Mi Careme, and I was reminded of it by the painting above which was included in the wonderful Twitter account called Canadian Paintings. It seems to be much like the mummering tradition of Newfoundland where people wear masks and costumes and go door-to-door seeking treats.
After two years of masking for public health and what I feel is now the ominous choice by governments to abandon mask requirements, have we missed the opportunity to combine what has been an unprecedented necessity with a note of Lenten revelry. Who knows?
I will continue to wear a mask in public settings in keeping with the recommendations of epidemiologists and the provincial science advisory table.I'll pray for kids in schools who will be more vulnerable to COVID as the masks come off, and for all those who are immuno-compromised so will end up more isolated.
Maybe, though, I can yuck it up a bit on Thursday by rummaging around for one of the Christmas themed masks in the basket by the door? Hmm. I could end up seeming loonier than I already am!
What is a Wild Church and what does it have to do with the beginning of Spring. Today's Groundling blog groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-wild
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