Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian tradition, a 40-day journey through Christ’s life and Passion. This is also the season when Jews celebrate Passover Seder and remember their journey from slavery to freedom. Muslims mark No Ruz, a celebration of the New Year that occurs around the Vernal Equinox and recalls the beginning of life. Many traditions honor this season as the time when the sun returns, the days grow longer and the Earth warms.

Wisdom and the Word:

This year, we offer short weekly reflections inspired by the rich symbols of the Maya and informed by the challenges of the contemporary Tseltal Maya living in Chiapas, Mexico. We invite you to walk with us, to begin our sacred journey. 

When the Tseltal Maya prepare for ritual and prayer, they make the place where they gather sacred. The location of their prayer need not be a church; anyplace can serve as a sacred temple, even a rustic house with a dirt floor. First, the Tseltal Maya cover the floor with “juncia,” green pine needles gathered from nearby forests. Before we enter, we take off our shoes and feel the earth beneath our feet, covered with a soft carpet of tender pine needles. The fragrant aroma of the pine needles rises to greet us, inviting us to remember this space is a bit of heaven on Earth. Someone blows a conch shell to call us to this sacred time. We sit on tightly woven straw mats, symbolizing our interconnection. We are asked to bring all of our senses to this experience, to open our hearts to this sacred moment. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Psalm 51

“Mother-Father-God, let my heart be at home, nakal ko’tan.” Tseltal Maya

Poetry for Meditation:

We don't build many temples anymore.

Maybe we learned that the sacred can't be contained.

Or maybe it can't be sustained inside a building.

Buildings crumble.

It's the spirit that lives on.

If you had a temple in the secret spaces of your heart,

What would you worship there?

What would you bring to sacrifice?

What would be behind the curtain in the holy of holies?

Go there now.

~ Tom Barrett ~

(Keeping in Touch)

Questions for Reflection:

How might I open my senses to prepare for this sacred journey? What will I bring to my holy temple? What will I let go? 

Prayer: Open my heart to create a sacred space within as I begin this journey.