I think of my father during the season of Lent. He would always try to take something on rather than give something up. He felt that by practicing his faith more fully during Lent, he would grow in strength. He was a reader and a thoughtful theologian.
I have joined my church’s Wednesday evening service and study group. We are reading Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. Some people in the group are having a hard time getting used to her language which can be profanity, yet that is one of the things that attracts me to her. She has spunk!
For Lent, Nadia is promoting the hashtag #40daysofgoodshit. When I used it on a few posts, I certainly got the attention of my friends. I am not one to curse, but one of my favorite sayings is “shit happens” because it’s so true.
So I am leaning in to the idea of noticing good stuff this Lent. A gallery of good shit:
Kim Johnson is writing Cento poems during the March Slice of Life Challenge. Cento poems use lines from other poems. Here I am attempting to create a poem with lines from Accidental Saints.
You are Not “The Blessing”
Silence
felt holy and grave
I am defenseless
So there I was
Christ’s presence in the hungry being fed
No one gets to play Jesus
We experience Jesus
When did we ever feed you, Lord?
All we have is a promise that our needs are holy
His kingdom is here(Cento of words and phrases from Accidental Saints chapter 5)
Reflections on the Teche 
Really like the cento poem but what I am thinking about is the idea of taking something on during Lent – not giving something up! Love this switch in thinking and doing. Also interesting in the book you mentioned – Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber. I will look her up. Thanks
I too am focusing on trying to be kinder and acknowledging acts of mercy. It has actually been easier than I thought; however, far more challenging than giving up chocolate!
So much to contemplate in this beautiful post. Like you, I am taking on this Lent rather than “giving up.” I’m reading a wonderful book , “Jesus, the Pilgrimage” by Rev. James Martin and trying to be more prayerful. Your Cento poem is beautiful. The line, “No one gets to play Jesus,” really stood out for me. Thank you.
Margaret, Lent is certainly the time to grow in spiritual strength. I have thought for many years that during Lent it is better to do more than to give something up.
I saw your hashtag, and I’ll admit, I was surprised! 🙂 But now it makes sense. These lines in your poem are what stuck with me:
No one gets to play Jesus
We experience Jesus
Love your cento, especially these lines:
”All we have is a promise that our needs are holy
His kingdom is here”
i adore your gallery of good stuff! Heaven knows we need them.
I read this earlier today. I needed to come back (resolving not to be distracted by thinking about profanity…) Your gallery is so lovely, lots of good to think about! The cento just goes to show how much meaning is there in Accidental Saints.
Margaret: Thanks for your post and your collection of good things. I had a funny experience with a bit of profanity last Sunday. I got to church early and decided to call my husband about something. We had been getting a lot of robo calls, so when he picked up the phone and didn’t hear me right away, he responded “It’s Sunday, so (bleep) ” then he hung up. I had to laugh as I called back. Sheesh! Anyway. Sometimes we have to laugh at the world. Your poem makes me think, and that’s a good thing. Blessings…
What a funny story! I’m getting more comfortable with the f word in my old age. Someone told me it was because I watch too much Netflix. Ha!!
Margaret, your gallery of good shit made me laugh but it is really good too. I adore your new trellis for the garden. It is lovely having the cross amongst your flowers. It is unique and a great post to use for meditation. I was also thinking of creating a cento poem but that will have to wait until another time. Your choices set up a perfect thought for a Lent. Opening with “Silence felt holy and grave -I am defenseless leads to Jesus. May each day of Lent bring you peace.
Margaret—Thank you for this book rec. My mantra has often been “Everyone’s got shit.” Your/Nadia’s penultimate line says it far more eloquently :
All we have is a promise that our needs are holy.