By Brea Cannon
Liturgical Rhythm of Life
“You made the moon to mark the seasons, the sun that knows the hour of its setting” (Psalm 104:19).
Our lives are measured in many ways; years, moments and events. One measure of life that seems to always tug at me is seasons. Here in the Midwest, our time is broken up by seasons — physical seasons. The seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter, come so naturally to us from the youngest of ages.
We can hear the pitter-patter of the spring rains, feel the warmth of the summer sun, smell the decaying leaves of fall, and see the majestic white of the fresh snow in winter. It is in the seasons that we also measure time — when our children were born, our grandchildren graduated high school or when a close relative or loved one died. We often remember the season of big life events like weddings and anniversaries. We move in these seasons, we work in these seasons and our prayer is affected by these seasons.
There was one particular day this past winter when the sky was extra gray, the air was bitterly cold and the ground was covered with patches of mushy dirty snow. The day looked dull and it certainly made me feel the same. After the long dreary day, it occurred to me that despite the gloom I felt from the weather, six months from now when summer is in full swing, and I would be up early with the day filled with yard work, gardening, little league and the heat of summer, I would probably appreciate a slow dreary day.
Upon realizing the gift of my gloomy day, I decided to simply embrace it and enjoy the cold quiet evening with my family.
“…in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts” (Acts 14:17).
Not every day can be sunny and 75 degrees — the same applies to our liturgical calendar. There are many liturgical seasons that give us new life and hope, like the Easter season. I love the joyous Alleluia and the bright spring colors associated with Easter. The empty tomb replaces the dark purples and red of Lent and the images of the desert, the crown of thorns or the three crosses; Easter brings us hope and joy. But before we get to Easter, it is necessary to have a time of prayer in what can appear to be a gloomy and dry desert.
God orients our lives with order and seasons, both liturgical and that of the natural world. God created all things, including right order and seasons, to help us — to draw us closer to him. We know there are times or instances in our lives when we get set in our ways and need change. The liturgical seasons are a natural flow of change and grace that keeps us from becoming stagnant in prayer or in our own routines. Moving and changing with the liturgy allows God to be the navigator and it gives us less of a dependence on our own plans and ideas.
The liturgical calendar is more than saint feast days or holy days, though those are important. Each liturgical season draws us closer into the life of Christ — we walk with Jesus in his life on Earth. In Lent, we are with Jesus in the desert. We pray and fast with him. We know Easter will come, and we can live in the joy of the resurrection, but first, we have to experience the desert with Jesus.
There are many paramount feast days and holy days in the month ahead — some of the most significant days in all of the year. These days are important, but so are the seasons they rest in — both Lent and Easter. Let’s look at both the days and the seasons to see God’s big picture.
As we look to April, take some time to focus on the purpose of both of these liturgical seasons. What is God calling you to in each of them? How do we walk with Jesus? Living the liturgy is ultimately about knowing God and allowing him to lead your life with his divine will as your guide.
Brea Cannon is a Diocese of Evansville native and member of St. Peter Parish in Montgomery with her husband, three children and extended family.