To Every Season, Turn, Turn, Turn

Yesterday was Zacchaeus Sunday in the Orthodox Church. Next Sunday will be the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee. And then two weeks after that, we begin Great Lent. . .the most severe fasting period in the Church's liturgical year. The season of repentance is near. Of course, I'm only speaking of a "season of repentance" in terms of an ecclesiastical calendar. . .our whole life is given to us to repent. But something I am learning from the Orthodox Church is a better appreciation for the power of "seasons".

I think we all know this instinctively. For example, our culture has its own "seasons". . .more or less concerned with making this life comfortable. Seems to me two seasons in particular predominate, at least in western culture. There is the season of "education" (pre-school through graduate school), followed by the season of "settling down" (perhaps getting married, making your "mark in life" via career or passionate hobby, and acquiring stuff). I know I'm over-simplifying. . .but you probably get my point.

For good or bad, seasons tend to dictate the flavor of life. Just think of the difference between life in Alaska as opposed to life in Jamaica. I grew up in Southwest Virginia, and the changing of the natural seasons provided a rhythm to life that produced anticipation, changes in attitude, and a natural momentum that synchronized the whole culture there. As a kid, Fall meant mountains ablaze with color and football. . .Winter meant strep throat, playing in the snow, and Christmas. . .Spring meant the bare mountains got re-clothed in leaves and flowers. . .Summer meant mowing the grass and summer vacation and swimming. Maybe that's one of the purposes of seasons. . .they synchronize us and provide a context for community. Perhaps that's the wisdom of the liturgical year imposed by the Church. . .it builds community which in turn provides a “place” for the Spirit of God to dwell and work.

The Orthodox Church imposes its' own set of “supra-natural” seasons, based on events from the earthly life of Jesus and to a lesser extent, his mother. These seasons are marked by "feasts". . .the two most prominent being Nativity (birth) and Pascha (resurrection). I’ve been Orthodox long enough now that when the season starts to change, as “Zacchaeus Sunday” signaled yesterday, I find myself wistfully thinking about the coming changes. I find myself mentally starting to change my wardrobe and doing all the chores necessary to prepare for the coming season. There is something comfortable in this. . .even though Great Lent is a very demanding season.