Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
                                                                                                                                   Isaiah 43:19
 
It seems like light years ago, the COVID lockdown. Those early days of fear and confusion, of being caught between the strangeness of the present and the uncertainty of the future. Still, as those days stretched into months and the danger was identified and categorized, something was becoming clear---potential.

With totally unanticipated free time and unforeseen personal freedom, a new life was in the making. Who could have imagined, in our world of never-ending “things to do, people to see, places to go,” that we would be afforded a pause, a break in the non-stop routine.

We all have our stories of that period, the things we did or didn’t do and how we found something thought lost to time. Now, as those days fade further into the folds of memory, many have found that they have changed more than they had realized. It has become obvious that some changes were deeper than imagined and we are just now realizing what that might mean.

It is always this way with change, it happens fast, but not deep--it happens deep, but not fast. The change we think we know is really more shock and response than anything else, oh, there is true change there, but it is shallow at best. It takes time for the true abiding change to be made known, the change that was rooted deep down and required time to press its way to the surface. We become aware of it in little ways, small awarenesses. Like a tender shoot poking up through the undergrowth, mostly missable and unimportant, this change grows.

We are miraculous creatures, able to encounter and overcome incredible adversity. We adapt and maneuver through our lives, instantly recognizing, prioritizing, saving and jettisoning new stimuli by the millisecond. When these small shoots of change grow large enough for true notice, they are delt with quickly, nurtured or trampled underfoot. We are vaguely aware, however, that those we dispatch with abandon are never truly gone, having timeless roots.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
                                                                                                                                   Isaiah 43:19
God not only exists in the change that brought about the roots, but in the roots, the shoot and our moment of awareness. In fact, God is present through and through every moment of every encounter we have ever had and will ever have. Remember? God is. It is the truest thing that will ever be true, forever and for always. God is showing us the way through every way to God’s self and trying to teach us to slow down.

God does not orchestrate crisis or chaos, God did not create COVID. No matter what the events of life, God uses every moment to create the possibility of change within change. God also creates the opportunity to recognize and prioritize at a slightly lower rate, with a bit more deliberation so as not to jettison that which should be fostered.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
                                                                                                                                   Isaiah 43:19
After all we have been though, where is God showing us the blessing of the new thing? How we see and know God in the every moment of possibility is, in fact, the new thing God is talking about. Everything is connected. The all and the every lead back to God. If we dig down, delving to find the root of that little shoot, we will find a mighty root nurtured by a divine hand.
​
We have had the experience, forced to slow down. Use what you know, slow down and dig, embrace the new thing.

Slowly digging,
Fr. Bill†

Each Sunday we read from scripture the lessons and witness of God interacting with humanity. As we follow the life and ministry of Jesus the church emphasizes certain events and times of his life so that we can focus more intently on our own. To draw our attention to the different lessons, the church changes the color of the season as a visual reminder and spiritual touchstone.

The living colors of the church year are important for us, especially if they are mixed, as they are right now as being red and green. More than just aesthetic choices, deep with spiritual significance, the colors are a witness of the rhythm, life and mood of our growth in Christ. They serve as an exterior sign that invites us to an interior reflection. As we explore the meanings behind these colors, we’ll see how they can deepen our understanding of our faith.

The Significance of Colors (note: I have separated the reds and purples into
their appropriate sub colors)
 
Royal Purple or Royal Blue: Repentance and Preparation
Following the tradition of the Sarum Rite (an old English rite), Royal Blue is the color for Advent. During the Middle Ages, when blue was too expensive to reproduce, “royal purple” (purple mixed with blue) was often used instead. This is why you still see some churches using purple in Advent (though usually not the correct royal purple). Theologically blue reflects tranquility, hope, anticipation, expectation, and confidence and a shade of blue is associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Royal Blue in Advent is appropriate as we emphasize Mary’s journey as she awaits the arrival of the Incarnate God. 

White: Purity and Joy
White is probably the most recognized of the liturgical colors. It is used during the most joyful times in the Church calendar, such as Christmas and Easter. It is also worn at baptisms, weddings, and funerals to symbolize the Resurrection. In the Bible, white garments are often associated with purity, holiness, and new life. In the book of Revelation, we find, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14)

Green: Ordinary Time
After the Christmas and Easter seasons, the Church returns to what’s called Ordinary Time. This period, represented by the color green, isn’t “ordinary” in the sense of being common or mundane. Instead, it’s a time for growth and maturation in our faith, much like a plant grows in the natural world. As the Holy Spirit blows across the world, Green signifies this hopeful, unfolding journey of discipleship.

Orange Red: The Holy Spirit
Orange Red is the color of the fire of the Holy Spirit. It is used on Pentecost, when we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Orange Red brings to mind the Holy Spirit, who gives us the courage to witness to our faith, even to the point of sacrificing our lives. The Bible tells us, “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.” (John 15:26)

Red or “Blood” Purple: Royal Sacrifice
Blood Purple is traditionally associated with royalty and suffering, making it an appropriate choice for Lent. It reminds us of Christ's passion and the sovereignty he claimed through his suffering and resurrection. In the context of Lent, Blood Purple also symbolizes penance, repentance, and renewal. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:17-20)

Rose Candle: Joy Within Preparation
Rose is used just twice a year: once during Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and once during Lent (Laetare Sunday). On these Sundays, the Church takes a brief pause from her penitential posture to rejoice in the coming joy of Christmas or Easter. The rose color signifies this sense of joy and anticipation within a season of preparation.

Black: Mourning and Remembrance
While not commonly used, black can still be worn for services of mourning, Lenten services and for All Souls’ Day. It is a stark reminder of human mortality and the transient nature of earthly life. While it may seem bleak, it is also a reminder that our ultimate hope lies in the Resurrection. As St. Paul writes, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.” (1 Corinthians 15:19-20)

It’s essential to remember that the use of liturgical colors is not a matter of divine command but a tradition developed over centuries to enrich our worship. The colors are not strictly necessary for the seasons, but they hold a cherished place in the Church’s life, offering visual cues that lead us into a deeper experience of the mysteries of faith.

The liturgical colors are a vivid tapestry that marks the ebb and flow of the Church’s life. Like the rich symbolism found throughout Scripture and Tradition, they invite us into a more profound and meaningful relationship with God. Through them, we are drawn into the beauty and depth of the liturgy, which is the corporate expression and offering of God’s people to God. In this way, something as simple as color can lead us to contemplate the inexhaustible richness of God’s love and mercy.

In Living Color,
Fr. Bill+