Lent, like our faith journey itself, is full of valleys and peaks. We begin with ashes and end in glory. Along the way, we encounter signs, actions and words that either humble us or lift us up. The traditional words used on Ash Wednesday, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return," take us back to the story of Creation, in which God forms humans from the dust of the ground. On the other extreme, we hear in Lent's second Sunday the story of the Transfiguration, in which three disciples see Jesus shine like the sun. What do these highs and lows tell us about our own lives as followers?
Jesus is not alone when he is transfigured. Moses and Elijah — long-dead heroes whose presence symbolizes Jesus' fulfillment of the law and the prophets – appear beside him. Perhaps just as important are the three awestruck followers — former fishermen with plenty of human shortcomings — who witness this amazing moment. Jesus calls them from out of the dust to move beyond their fear and go back down the mountain. They'll journey from the glory to gory, but from new fears and suffering will come even greater wonder and joy. Our own dark days, suffering and sacrifice can lead to renewal and transformation.
Provide each student with a penny, business card or any simple, flat object with two distinguishable sides.
Begin by saying: "What we're about to do is a simulation to reflect realities in life. Your results will be random and probably won't be consistent with what's really happening in your life. We'll discuss this later. For now, assign a "high" side and a "low" side to the object you're holding, and let's get started."
- Invite students to drop their object. Then say "If it landed on the 'high' side, pick up your object and raise it high. You have a strong prayer life. You speak to God regularly to ask for help, thank him, praise him or seek forgiveness. If it landed on the 'low' side, pick up your object and raise it high. You have a weak prayer life. You feel distant from God, maybe even disbelieving. You have no clue how to make things better."
- Invite students to drop their object. Then say "If it landed on the 'high' side, pick up your object and raise it high. You'll never go hungry. You have all the food you need and never worry about it. If it landed on the ‘low’ side, pick up your object and raise it high. You live with food insecurity, and hunger often weakens you or keeps you from thinking straight. You're not sure where your next meal will come from."
- Invite students to drop their object. Then say "If it landed on the 'high' side, pick up your object and raise it high. You're rich, and money is no object to you. You could give away much of your wealth and that wouldn't change how you live. If it landed on the 'low' side, pick up your object and raise it high. You have a low income. You don't have enough money to get by. You might want to help others, but you need help yourself."
Begin by saying "As I said earlier, your life might be quite different than the results of your flips or the conclusions I shared about them. My words reflected highs and lows. Life is full of extremes, as well as plenty of time and conditions that fall somewhere in the middle."
Then ask:
- Do you know someone in need of prayer? Why is it important to pray for them? What might be gained by praying withthem?
- Think of a person you know who seems very close to God. What can you learn from them about prayer?
- We sometimes fast during Lent. For people who have enough to eat, what meaning does fasting hold?
- How can fasting build solidarity between those who have food and those who lack it?
- What spiritual benefits can we gain by sharing our material wealth?
- What can low-income people give to improve the lives of others?
Conclude by saying: "Regardless of the conditions that this activity created for you, everyone had to bend down to the ground a few times. Likewise, you had to stretch yourself to answer these questions and, at times, think like others. We are called, during Lent to humble and challenge ourselves in ways that lead to renewal and growth."
Lord, be with us
in the highs and lows of Lent
and of life.
Help us to discover
in our hunger and sacrifice
the peace and abundance
found in you alone.
Amen.
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