Lent begins this week, and with it comes a reboot for this blog. "Lights in the Darkness" began last year as a project of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Through the lenses of Scripture and popular culture, the team of writers - mostly Trinity parishioners and staff - examined some of the common themes which seem to be more obvious during this season than in others. While they didn't reach many definite conclusions, the common thread through all 40 days was that being in relationship with God requires our deliberate attention and maybe even some elbow grease.
Most of the team is back for a repeat engagement this year. Along with several celebrity guests, we will be working with the theme of reconciliation. What is forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive myself and others? How are all things possible with God's mercy?
Martin L. Smith, in his book titled Reconcilation (Lanham, Maryland: Cowley, 1985), notes that, "We need not be surprised that people learn more about [reconciliation] through personal testimony than through public discussion. The best way to discover what Christians receive in [it] is to find someone willing to share their personal experience of it" (page 1).
We hope you will find these reflections helpful in framing your own experience of reconciliation - whatever that word means to you - and invite you to join us in this season of renewing our faith. If you are reading this online, feel free to respond to postings using the comments button at the bottom of each. Please keep the discussion polite and on point; comments which don't meet this basic standard will be deleted. If you're reading this on email, feel free to reply. And if you're comfortable with it, we can add your thoughts to this page as well.
We'll be back with the first posting on Wednesday. Happy reading!
The Rev. Amy Spagna, Editor-in-Chief
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