Hope Springs Eternal
February 28, 2008
Amid the doldrums of mid-Lent, hope is on the horizon. Yes, there’s the “sure and certain hope” of the resurrection. We’re Christians; we get that. Easter will arrive and we’ll be bathed anew in the warm glow of new life.
But hope abounds on this day because the Baltimore Orioles play their first spring training game. Sure, they haven’t had a winning season in a decade. And, no, they haven’t won the World Series in 25 years. But like the Phoenix, this year they will rise from the ashes. Or maybe next year. Or eventually. I hope.
Being a devoted fan of a lousy baseball team builds character. Though at this point I think I’m way beyond my character quota. Of course I don’t have anything on Cubs fans — that’s a real cross to bear. I’m bearing more of a “cross-ette” (that’s French for ”little cross” — okay, I made that up but you get the point).
Nonetheless, it’s an exciting day and I think this really will be their year. Fortunately I’m not a gambling man.
An Actual Lent Wreath?
February 28, 2008
It turns out some companies are actually marketing a crown of thorns Lent Wreath for liturgical use. Check out priest and blogger Scott Gunn’s post on this http://www.sevenwholedays.org/2008/02/26/lent-wreaths/. He includes a picture of a Lent Wreath complete with pink candle. Are you kidding me? How dumb do they think we are? I’m sure they’ll tell us it’s a little-known tradition from the Middle Ages that’s being revived (for $36 plus shipping and handling).
Plus, I have enough trouble finding candles to fit our family’s Advent Wreath. It’s a small silver-plated thing — not your standard size. We got desperate a few years ago and I’m pretty sure we were the only family on our block with blue Menorah candles in our Advent Wreath.
