Episcopal Relief & Development’s 2025 LENTEN Meditation Journey . . . A COMMONPLACE Lent

What lies dead and deformed in the letter on the dead parchment comes to life when put into practice. —Peter of Celle, The School of the Cloister

Our youngest child, Miles, took up the saxophone in sixth grade. While he had some natural ability, he, like every other kid in his band class, had to practice to improve. Every student was supposed to practice at home alone, then at school with their “section,” and then, in the days leading up to a concert, they would join the rest of the sections and practice all together as the complete Middle School Band. The first year’s concert was the kind that only a parent or grandparent could love. But, over time, Miles and the students who stuck with the program progressed in their abilities according to their talent and dedication to practicing—together and on their own. By senior year, some had even grown into outstanding musicians, able to pick up a piece of sheet music for the first time and play.

Over the years, I have come to think of the work of spiritual life as akin to being in a school band program. We start badly. Yes, some of us may have an initial natural talent for things like contemplative prayer or fasting but becoming proficient in the spiritual life so that things like stillness, forgiveness, self-reflection and study of Scripture become as natural as breathing requires hours and days and years and lifetimes of practice—on our own and together. It requires practicing our spiritual scales over and over. It requires small group “section” work with folks in the same place or season who can help us feel less alone in our blunders. And it requires practicing with the larger community, with those who have gone beyond us and who can help us when we miss a note or a beat.

For REFLECTION:

What spiritual practice might you need to bring to life by practicing more regularly, alone and with others?

Click here to read the introduction to the 2025 Lenten Meditation “A Commonplace Lent.”

The Lenten Meditations prepared by Episcopal Relief & Development invite readers to deepen their spiritual practice during the season of Lent, the time of preparation leading to Easter. Our 2025 meditations explore the idea of “A Commonplace Lent.” This concept reflects Episcopal Relief & Development’s tagline: “Working Together for Lasting Change.” We share in common the work of advancing lasting change in communities impacted by injustice, poverty, disaster and climate change.

We also share in common spiritual practices that strengthen our faith—prayer, worship, love, grace, service and so much more. The author explores another meaning of common in the  meditations: finding God in the common and ordinary as well as in the extraordinary mountain-top moments. Each day begins with wisdom from desert mothers and fathers, monastics and other spiritual leaders who offer insight into our common path of faithful discipleship and service. Each meditation concludes with a question for deeper reflection.

Episcopal Relief & Development is the compassionate response of The Episcopal Church to human suffering in the world. Hearing God’s call to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to respect the dignity of every human being, Episcopal Relief & Development serves to bring together the generosity of Episcopalians and others with the needs of the world.

This Lenten Meditation Journey is provided courtesy of Episcopal Relief & Development and was authored by Jerusalem Jackson Greer, co-executive director and agrarian minister for the Procter Center, an Episcopal farm, camp and retreat center in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. As former manager of evangelism and discipleship for The Episcopal Church under Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, she co-founded the Good News Garden movement and oversaw Way of Love and Evangelism initiatives for the wider church.