Lent 2026: Mystic Musings

Dear Friends and Readers,

I think my transition and transformation began over two decades ago while serving as the bereavement coordinator for a hospice organization. My lens on life changed. My lens on death changed. While I didn’t know it at the time what was happening was that I was beginning to look at the experience of life through a “mystical lens.” All that means is that I began to see that all of life (that is, life and death, positive and negative, good and evil) is infused with a Divine Presence.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans (photo courtesy of LibraryofCongress@libraryofcongress

Today is Shrove Tuesday (often called Fat Tuesday), the last day before the 40 days of Lent. I spent more than three decades in professional Christian ministry. But, my spiritual worldview continues to expand far beyond that. This year I will attempt to honor both by using the Christian practice of Lent to offer musings based in the mystical experience and writings.

I invite you to use this as a daily practice—whether early in the morning, at midday or late in the evening. All posts will consist of a single quote and then a very short reflection. Sometimes a single line, other times a few short sentences. The goal is not so much to explain something as it is to give you something to ponder in your heart and soul.

Lent runs from Ash Wednesday (February 18) to Easter Sunday (April 5). You will receive a post daily to use as your own Lenten discipline. I encourage to set aside about ten minutes. One or two minutes to read the post and a few minutes to breathe and ponder the richness that emerges from deep within you.

Now, enjoy those last robust and indulgent hours before Lent and “Eat, drink and be merry!” (Ecclesiastes 8: 15)

Tonight we party. Tomorrow we go deep.