Forgiveness Sunday is an Eastern Orthodox holiday that marks the start of Lent. The Western and Eastern churches usually celebrate Lent and Easter on different dates - the Western dates are calculated with the Gregorian calendar, and the Eastern dates use the Julian Calendar - but this year they are very close together. Western Lent begins this Wednesday, March 4, and so I'm celebrating Forgiveness Sunday now, on its proper date, to help become prepared for a time of Lenten reflection.Agenda Today:
1. Ask forgiveness and offer forgiveness
2. Read "Everyday Simplicity"
3. Make tyropita (cheese pie)
4. Light a candle
Each person asks forgiveness from, and offers forgiveness to, each other person, then exchanges the kiss of peace.
Quakers don't usually go in for any kind of ceremony, but I can imagine that it's a powerful moment. Wesley J. Smith says "The service is a healing balm. It is hard to bear grudges when all have shared such an intimate mutual humbling. Indeed, Forgiveness Vespers is emotionally intense, tears often flow and hugs of true reconciliation are common."
As a Quaker, I have had to figure out simple ways to ask for and offer forgiveness and feel that humbling moment, and I do it as often as I can, with honest words, a note, or a silent prayer. A wise man said to forgive our neighbors even when they sin against us repeatedly, even until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). So, today I offer this prayer:
I bought myself this little book, by Robert J. Wicks (2000), as a birthday treat. The subtitle is: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth.
What I get from this section: During this dark chapter of our country's history, I can remain open to the hope for peace, joy, and wisdom even in the midst of chaos. I can adopt a discipline of releasing expectations each morning, and being awake to the surprise of life in the now.
Forgiveness Sunday is also known as Cheesefare Sunday; it's the last day before Lent that dairy products are permitted. Sweet or savory cheese pies are popular traditional Greek foods today.
This recipe is pretty easy to make, and very, very rich and good. You can use your favorite cheeses and herbs, and either store-bought puff pastry or home-made pie pastry. The recipe is here.
1. Ask forgiveness and offer forgiveness
2. Read "Everyday Simplicity"
3. Make tyropita (cheese pie)
4. Light a candle
1. Ask forgiveness and offer forgiveness:
The traditional theme of the Lenten fast is repentance and reconciliation with God. The Eastern Orthodox Church reminds us that we can't have that without first being reconciled with one another. On Forgiveness Sunday they have a special Forgiveness Vespers, and at the end everyone takes part in the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness-- each person will bow down, first before the priest, and then each other, asking, “Forgive me, a sinner” and the proper response is “God forgives you”.
Each person asks forgiveness from, and offers forgiveness to, each other person, then exchanges the kiss of peace.
Quakers don't usually go in for any kind of ceremony, but I can imagine that it's a powerful moment. Wesley J. Smith says "The service is a healing balm. It is hard to bear grudges when all have shared such an intimate mutual humbling. Indeed, Forgiveness Vespers is emotionally intense, tears often flow and hugs of true reconciliation are common."
As a Quaker, I have had to figure out simple ways to ask for and offer forgiveness and feel that humbling moment, and I do it as often as I can, with honest words, a note, or a silent prayer. A wise man said to forgive our neighbors even when they sin against us repeatedly, even until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). So, today I offer this prayer:
I offer forgiveness to those in my community who have wronged me this year, and ask forgiveness for those I have wronged. I pray that we can start fresh, with open hearts.
In offering forgiveness, I hope to be able to set down this burden of indignation and rage, and move on to mitigating the problems we have created.
2. Read "Everyday Simplicity":
Chapter 4 is Openness, the 2nd of eight themes that will help us to "soften our souls and allow us to experience and share the gift of God in simple ways during the day".
He talks about the natural response to alienation - to close ourselves in defense. This is what many of us are doing now: Protecting ourselves from the onslaught of hate and chaos.
While I think we can find healthy ways for defense that don't involve drinking, withdrawal, or frenzy, I agree with the author that, "While our dominant emotion may be despair, if we can be open to the possibility of hope, something wonderful can begin to happen. ... we may experience a softening of our soul, a change of heart, a paradigm shift. ... We may appreciate each day more humbly and take less for granted."
He suggests that openness requires discipline; I must remain awake to see the grace in the world around me, and to notice the gifts and new possibilities.
What I get from this section: During this dark chapter of our country's history, I can remain open to the hope for peace, joy, and wisdom even in the midst of chaos. I can adopt a discipline of releasing expectations each morning, and being awake to the surprise of life in the now.
3. Make tyropita (cheese pie):
Forgiveness Sunday is also known as Cheesefare Sunday; it's the last day before Lent that dairy products are permitted. Sweet or savory cheese pies are popular traditional Greek foods today.This recipe is pretty easy to make, and very, very rich and good. You can use your favorite cheeses and herbs, and either store-bought puff pastry or home-made pie pastry. The recipe is here.
4. Light a candle:
On Forgiveness Sunday evening in Russia, the whole town gathers to throw the Maslenitsa effigy doll onto a huge bonfire. The doll symbolizes winter; they hope that all their problems will leave along with winter.
When I have this fire with children, we talk about the symbolism of burning away the winter so that spring can return. And because most of us have a primitive love of burning things, it takes only a minute for my students to be gleefully on board. We march together out to the fire circle, say a few words of thanks, stick the doll into the ground and watch it burn.
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| 2017 Maslenitsa Fire |
On Forgiveness Sunday evening in Russia, the whole town gathers to throw the Maslenitsa effigy doll onto a huge bonfire. The doll symbolizes winter; they hope that all their problems will leave along with winter.
When I have this fire with children, we talk about the symbolism of burning away the winter so that spring can return. And because most of us have a primitive love of burning things, it takes only a minute for my students to be gleefully on board. We march together out to the fire circle, say a few words of thanks, stick the doll into the ground and watch it burn.
We won't burn our little cloth dolls this year, but I will take a moment to light a candle and say goodbye again to winter.
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