Counting

There are lots of things we count. Today is the last day of February and anyone who knows me well knows that on my birthday, February 17th, I count my cards. When I started this crazy and nonsensical tradition I would get only paper cards. Now, of course, there are a myriad of ways to send greetings – I still count. I have just broadened my acceptability – 47 paper cards, 14 email cards, 7 texts, 147 Facebook wishes. Pretty good for an old broad, eh? It is a fun and silly accounting each year.

There are more serious things that we count. Last week we counted that it is one year since the invasion of Ukraine. Such terrible violence destroying their country. My Syrian family reminded me last week that March 17th will mark six years since their arrival in Canada. More recently they have counted the days since the terrible earthquake tore apart the earth in their home country and in Turkey, devastating the population and demolishing homes, villages and cities. A couple in this congregation are counting that it is now 11 days since her stroke. Initial recovery is so important. Another couple, who have covid, are counting the days of their isolation. As we turn the calendar to March tomorrow, students and teachers will be counting the days to March break. And accountants are just beginning their countdown for tax season.

In the church we began the season of Lent last week. Pancakes and syrup were enjoyed on Tuesday in order to begin the fasting season on Ash Wednesday. Now we count the forty days of Lent. I wonder – do 40 days seem like a long time to you? The number 40 has strong resonance throughout scripture. Noah and Ms. Noah were on the ark for 40 days and 40 nights. Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days waiting for the ten commandments. The people of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty days. Elijah journeyed for 40 days and Jesus faced great temptation after 40 days of deprivation. You get the picture. In the Bible 40 represents a long time, a time of waiting, a time of contemplation, a time of holding on, a time of patience, a time to be open enough to hear God.

Often during the 40 days of Lent people choose to ‘give up’ something as a spiritual practice. Others choose to ‘take up’ a new habit. Giving up something leads to some kind of denial of a usual pleasure so that we can consider the sacrifice of Christ. Think alcohol, tv viewing, FaceBook, or chocolate, – regular habit that brings pleasure. The notion of taking up something is to add a new practice that might lead to a good habit – exercise, letter writing, reading, something that will strengthen self and relationship. In either case 40 days can fly by in an instant or seem like an eternity depending on your perspective. We are already on day 6. Oh yes, I should mention that if you count the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter there are more than 40. Each Sunday is considered a ‘little Easter’ so you can break your fast on Sunday and have that piece of chocolate or that glass of wine.

I wonder what you are doing to mark these 40 days? It is a spiritual time, a time of discipline, ( a word I am not good with!) a time of reflection.

Blessings to you as you count the days of Lent.