Pastor’s Notes

T.S. Eliot famously wrote “April is the cruelest month,” but he never visited Chicago in February. February is a gray, dreary month, without the boost of the New Year’s holiday—and in my case, the excitement of new classes starting—that January offered. February felt like a four-week extension of January. There were only two bright spots that February offered, the days were starting to get longer and Spring Training began. For baseball fans, Spring Training is the rebirth of Hope. As a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs Hope is often the best that the baseball season had to offer.

Spring Training led up to Opening Day, the first day of the baseball season. Every team starts with a clean slate on Opening Day, no runs, no hits, no errors…yet.

Spring Training is a clear, even obvious analog to Lent. They both begin when the days (in the Northern Hemisphere) are lengthening. “Lent” comes from the Old English word “lencten” which means “lengthen.” They are both seasons of preparation. For Christians Lent is a season of repentance and self-denial, preparation for our journey to the Cross with Christ. For baseball players, Spring Training is a season of getting ready for the baseball season.

For pitchers and catchers Spring Training begins between February 10 and 13. For Christians Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18.

Whether the Season of Preparation ends with “We’re born again; there’s new grass on the field,” or “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” look for signs of Hope and New Life in this season.

See you in church, 

— Pastor Tom