A Dreamer's Advent Calendar

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed. Hallelujah!

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:00:32 GMT

Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026

For this last blog of the Lent Calendar, we focus on Easter Day. Easter arrives with a quiet but radical promise: what looks finished is not the end. The stone is rolled away not just from a tomb long ago, but from our assumptions about what is possible. Resurrection is not an escape from this world; it is a declaration that new life can break through right here, even when we feel stuck, weary, or out of options.

We often live as though our failures, fears, or circumstances have the final word. Easter tells a different story. God brings life out of places we thought were sealed shut—grief that seems endless, relationships that feel beyond repair, systems that appear too strong to change. The risen Christ bears scars, reminding us that new beginnings don’t erase the past; they transform it.

Easter invites us to imagine new options where we assumed there were none, new paths where we believed the way was closed. It dares us to trust that love is more stubborn than despair, and hope more durable than death.

As Julian of Norwich wrote, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”

So I find myself asking: where in my own life might resurrection be waiting, if I am willing to believe again that something new is possible?

Have a happy and blessed Easter!

A Lent Calendar

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:00:14 GMT

Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026

“He descended to the dead.” Tucked quietly into the Apostles’ Creed, this line pulls us into the hush of Holy Saturday—the day between loss and hope, when the tomb is sealed and heaven seems silent. First Peter dares to imagine that silence broken, as Christ proclaims good news to the spirits in prison, reaching even into death’s locked rooms (1 Peter 3–4). Before resurrection glory, there is a descent.

This confession matters because it insists there is no place beyond God’s reach. The psalmist trusted this long ago: even in the depths, even in hell, you will find me. Christ’s descent tells us that God does not wait safely on the other side of our suffering. God goes all the way down—into grief, trauma, addiction, despair, and the places we are ashamed to name.

In contemporary life, Holy Saturday feels familiar. We know what it is to live between diagnosis and healing, between injustice and change, between burying dreams and daring to hope again. The good news is not that we must climb our way back to God, but that God comes looking for us.

Even in the worst circumstances, when God feels painfully far away, love still reaches out—embracing, healing, forgiving, and supporting us onto a new path.

So I find myself wondering: where might I be invited to trust that God is already present in the places I fear most?

A Lent Calendar

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:04:39 GMT

Good Friday, April 3, 2026

God's Friday. The death of Jesus was not an accident of history or a divine thirst for violence. It was the predictable outcome of a world threatened by radical love. Jesus healed the sick, challenged religious gatekeeping, confronted economic injustice, and named power for what it was. When love exposes systems built on fear, those systems often respond with nails.

We like to imagine that humanity has changed since Golgotha, yet history tells a familiar story. Again and again, we silence the voices that call us toward compassion and liberation. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed for resisting a regime that baptized hatred. Archbishop Óscar Romero was murdered while celebrating communion because he dared to speak for the poor. Their lives echo the pattern of Jesus—truth spoken, threat perceived, sacrifice demanded.

The cross reveals not only who God is, but who we are. It names our tendency to protect comfort over conscience, order over justice. As Jesus said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how often have I desired to gather your children together… and you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37).

Yet the story does not end in death. Resurrection insists that love outlives violence and that God stands with the crucified, not the executioners.

So here is the question that lingers: when love disrupts our world today, will I recognize it—or resist it?

A Lent Calendar

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:00:51 GMT

Maundy Thursday (April 2, 2026)

It’s Maundy Thursday, when we remember the occasion of Jesus’ celebration of Passover with his disciples. Passover is a celebration of liberation, the liberation of the Jewish people from the slavery of Egypt specifically (remember Moses). In the millennia since then it has been the celebration of liberation in general.

Maundy Thursday gets its name from the words of Jesus to his disciples, his commandment to love. Commandment is Mandatum in Latin. This is Commandment Thursday. Through the miracle of linguistic variation over the ages, Mandatum became shortened to Maundy.

Maundy Thursday also commemorates Jesus’ betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane. I reminds us that though there were dark days ahead, in celebrating Passover with his disciples, Jesus was celebrating this past liberation of Israel, but also looks forward to a future liberation. A liberation that included freedom from all that constrains us as people, a liberation for the breaking in of God’s dream for the world and ultimately freedom from death itself. It encourages us in realizing that liberation will come no matter what barriers it may encounter.

What liberation am I looking forward to?

A Lent Calendar

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:51 GMT

Wednesday of Holy Week (April 1, 2026)

You are certainly aware that unlike Christmas, Easter is a moveable feast day. It is because it is tied to the cycle of the moon and the date of the vernal, astronomical, or spring equinox. The vernal equinox is when the sun is sort of half way between the North and the South poles. The vernal equinox was on March 20th in 2026. In Western Christian traditions, Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of astronomical spring*. If you look up into the sky tonight it will be a full moon.

Easter is the holy day in Christianity that is tied to the rhythm of creation and to Christianity’s Jewish roots. According to the Bible, Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples. Passover is tied to the first full moon of spring, which means that Jewish people around the world will begin celebrating Passover tonight with a large meal that will include family and special guests.

Check out that moon tonight (known as a pink moon). In Anishinabek tradition, April is symbolized by the Sucker Moon, a time when life begins to bloom anew and the rhythms of nature guide us through a period of transformation. It is a time to honour the earth, reflect on personal growth, and embrace the renewal of the spirit.

What will I reflect on this day?

*In case you are interested, in Eastern Christian traditions Easter falls on the Sunday after the completion of Jewish Passover, which will end on April 9th, so Orthodox Easter falls on April 12th this year.

A Lent Calendar

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:56 GMT

Tuesday of Holy Week (March 31, 2026)

Another story that takes place somewhere around Palm Sunday is one that has a complicated history. According to the some Gospels, Jesus goes to Bethany to visit his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. While he is there Mary offers him some traditional hospitality reserved for the most special of guests. Travelling in desert climates puts a lot of stress on one's feet. When a guest arrives, they are customarily offered water to wash their hands and to wash and sooth their feet. They may also be offered some oil to ease the dryness of their feet. Mary went a step further and bought some special oil (ointment) for Jesus' feet (after all he raised her beloved brother from the dead).

Judas and maybe some other followers thought that she had gone too far. The money could have been used for something else. Jesus reminds them that the problems of the world are always around, we can deal with them any time. The special people in our lives are here often for a short time, they should be treasured. Mary was not only comforting and soothing his body, unknown to the complainers and Mary, she was also saying farewell to him as Good Friday was looming around the corner.

Who are the people in my life, that I might want to give some special attention?

A Lent Calendar

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:07:01 GMT

Monday of Holy Week (March 30, 2026)

Based on the stories in the Gospels, Jesus was very busy from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. Depending on the Gospel, Jesus taught, he held conversations, he healed, he made some changes to the kind of activities that took place in the temple, he told stories and predicted many different events, including the coming of God.

One of the stories about Jesus that takes place around or after Palm Sunday (depending on the Gospel you are reading) is the turning of the tables of the money changers. Jesus is upset that a sacred place set aside for contemplation and prayer had become filled with din of making deals, and in some cases exploiting the faithful to line the pockets of the establishment. Importance was taken away from what is God’s to the concerns and dealings of the world (remember the story of the images found on the coin from last week?).

When I think about my faith life, are there things that are distracting me from paying attention to the sacredness of thinking about God’s dream for me and the world?

A Lent Calendar

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:03:49 GMT

Palm Sunday (March 29, 2026)

Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week. On this day we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. There were two very different groups of people in Jerusalem at that time. Those who followed Jesus, his teachings, his compassion. They knew who he was for they experienced the love he shared.

Then there was the ruling class of Jerusalem and their followers. They were afraid of Jesus, what they believed he represented. In some way I suppose you could say that they could not experience him the way his followers did because they had already made up their minds, and anything he did would be interpreted in the light of their prejudice.

There is something to be said here about being in the present with an open mind, about trying to see beyond what we want to believe about anyone, including Jesus, God, creation and even the ruling class of that or our present time.

Where might I have jumped to a conclusion about someone or something? Where might I need to step back and look at things with a non-prejudicial lens?

A Lent Calendar

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 04:00:18 GMT

March 28, 2026

“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” is not a compromise; it is a reorientation. Systems may claim loyalty, but they do not get our hearts.

Faith communities help us remember that distinction. Alone, we can slowly give God what rightly belongs to the world—our compassion dulled by cynicism, our courage traded for comfort. Together, we remind one another who we are. As Walter Brueggemann writes, “The prophetic task is to keep alive the ministry of imagination.” Community does that holy work—imagining lives rooted in love rather than scarcity.

Faith doesn’t withdraw from the world; it engages it without surrendering its soul. Surrounded by faithful companions, we learn to live inside systems without being owned by them.

Who helps me remember what belongs to God, what is valuable to God?

A Lent Calendar

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:20 GMT

March 27, 2026

Sometimes the world we live in wants us to see people as commodities or consumers. It asks us to value what we can get out of others. The challenge we may find ourselves in is remembering that each person we encounter bears the image of God. That each person we meet is beloved because of who they are, not what they offer. Reflecting on the people I have encountered, how did I see them? How can I get better at seeing God’s image, God’s love flowing through them?

A Lent Calendar

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:23 GMT

March 26, 2026

We all live in the tension Jesus names—between the demands of the world and the call of God. The question is not whether the tension exists, but how we live within it. Jean Vanier once wrote, “To love someone is to show them their beauty, their worth, and their importance.”

Hassan, a newcomer to Canada, volunteers to help other immigrants navigate housing and employment systems. He knows the weight of bureaucracy, yet he chooses generosity over bitterness. His life is a testament to giving Caesar what is due while giving God what is sacred.

Our community does the same—holding one another in love, reaching toward the vulnerable, and choosing God’s dream even in the midst of the world’s demands.

A Lent Calendar

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:22 GMT

March 25, 2026

The world often tells us to accept things as they are. Jesus challenges that resignation. His answer is a reminder that God’s imagination is always larger than the world’s. Environmental activist Autumn Peltier, from Wiikwemkoong First Nation, embodies this truth. As a young water protector, she speaks to global leaders with a clarity that exposes the limits of political imagination.

Our congregation shares that same holy stubbornness. We refuse to believe that loneliness, hunger, or exclusion are inevitable. Through community celebrations, inclusive worship, and ministries of care, we insist that another way is possible.

A Lent Calendar

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:00:25 GMT

March 24, 2026

Mark 12 reminds us that faithfulness is not abstract—it is lived in the small, daily choices that reveal our priorities. Jesus invites us to ask: What belongs to Caesar, and what belongs to God? Nelson Mandela once reflected, “There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”*

I think of a local teacher who quietly buys winter boots for students who need them. She fills out the required forms, follows school policies, but her deeper loyalty is to compassion. Our community seeks to mirrors that same everyday faithfulness—offering meals, showing up in grief and celebration alike.

In what ways am I living out everyday faithfulness, acts of kindness or support?

A Lent Calendar

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:00:34 GMT

March 23, 2026

Jesus points to the coin and asks whose image it bears. The implication is clear: Caesar’s image may be stamped on money, but God’s image is stamped on us. That truth has fueled countless movements for justice. I think of Viola Desmond, who challenged segregation in Nova Scotia not because she sought fame, but because she knew her dignity came from God, not from discriminatory laws.

When we remember whose image we bear, we find courage to resist systems that diminish human worth. Our congregation lives this out in prayer shawls offered in love, in youth learning empathy, and in worship that proclaims every person’s sacredness.

What does living out the dignity of each individual, indeed every part of creation, mean for me?

A Lent Calendar

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 04:00:19 GMT

March 22, 2026

This week we look at the story of Jesus being challenged around to whom faith filled people should give their allegiance. He is set up by his questioners with a question that has a basic fallicy: to choose between two things, Caesar or God. Jesus’ response in Mark 12:13–17 is more than clever rhetoric; he provides a third option, it is the refusal to let others define the terms of faithfulness. The Pharisees want a yes-or-no answer, but Jesus offers a deeper truth: you can live in the world without being shaped by its distortions. Dorothy Day once said, “Our problems stem from our acceptance of this filthy, rotten system.” She lived in Caesar’s world—paying taxes, navigating laws—but her heart belonged to God’s dream of mercy and justice.

Our community carries that same spirit. We live within systems, but we refuse to let them shrink our compassion. Every act of kindness is a quiet rebellion against the false choices the world tries to impose.

How am I living faithfully in the world today?

A Lent Calendar

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 04:00:16 GMT

March 21, 2026

Communities often spiritualize suffering without addressing its systemic roots—poverty, racism, homophobia, colonial histories.

A faith informed community emphasizes collective healing. When one member struggles with housing insecurity, mental health, or exclusion, the whole community is affected. Mutual aid is not trend but theology.

Where is the Spirit inviting me to move from sympathy to solidarity?

A Lent Calendar

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:00:27 GMT

March 20, 2026

Paul lists early church roles: apostles, prophets, teachers. Today, these ministries need fresh interpretation. Apostles may be community‑planters or activists forging new paths. Prophets may be climate justice leaders, poets of resistance, or truth‑tellers naming harm. Teachers may be facilitators of deconstruction groups or creators of sacred content online.

The Spirit keeps expanding the job description.

Paul continues: miracles, healing, helping, guidance, tongues. A progressing faith perspective sees these not as rigid categories but as invitations to discern where Spirit-energy shows up today. Healing can include therapy, advocacy, somatic care. Helping might be logistical support, emotional labour, or creative problem-solving. Guidance may come through community organizing or pastoral accompaniment.

Paul’s list is descriptive, not exhaustive. God’s imagination is vast.

Where do I experience the Spirit’s movement in ways Paul may not have named, but surely would have celebrated?

A Lent Calendar

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:00:52 GMT

March 19, 2026

“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.’” Paul challenges spiritual elitism. He pushes back against the professionalization of ministry that sidelines lay wisdom, queer wisdom, youth wisdom, or the embodied wisdom of disabled members.

Theologian Shane Claiborne notes, “The Kingdom works from the bottom up, not the top down” (The Irresistible Revolution, 2006). Leadership, then, is not about importance but interdependence.

Paul flips societal values: “Those members… that seem weaker are indispensable.” Modern disability theology beautifully reclaims this verse as a critique of ableism. Thomas Reynolds reminds us that vulnerability is not a deficit but “a site of profound relational possibility” (Vulnerable Communion, 2008).

A faith filled response honours those historically pushed aside, recognizing that God’s image is revealed in dependence and interdependence.

Whose “indispensable” wisdom do I overlook because of cultural bias?

A Lent Calendar

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:22 GMT

March 18, 2026

“If the whole body were an eye…” Paul’s vivid image invites expanding our understanding of spiritual gifts. In a modern ministry landscape, leadership looks far different than in the first century. Today we might recognize digital creators, social justice advocates, mental health companions, trauma‑informed listeners, artists, climate activists, and disability theologians as expressing the various gifts of ministry to the world around us.

Each reveals a facet of God’s presence. The Spirit still gives as she chooses (v.11)—often beyond traditional expectations.

What gifts do I carry that I’ve undervalued because they don’t look “churchy” enough?

A Lent Calendar

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:00:38 GMT

March 17, 2026

Paul imagines a foot saying, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong.” These verses resonate with anyone who has felt out of place in faith spaces—those who were told they were “too much,” “not enough,” or “not the right kind.”

Today, many who are deconstructing or healing from spiritual harm read themselves into this text. Progressive theologians ask: "What creates these feelings of non-belonging? Who benefits when some voices are diminished?" The gospel calls us to listen especially to those who feel unseen.

Whose voice in my community might be saying, “I do not belong,” and how am I called to respond?

A Lent Calendar

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:00:19 GMT

March 16, 2026

Paul emphasizes that the body is one, yet has many members. This isn’t a command for sameness; it’s a celebration of holy difference. As part of a faith filled response, we recognize that unity built on uniformity is fragile—true unity happens when people bring their whole selves without fear. As theologian Letty Russell wrote, “Hospitality is the practice of God’s welcome” (Just Hospitality, 2009).

In modern contexts, this means embracing diverse spiritual expressions—traditional, contemplative, charismatic, deconstructed, neuro-inclusive. Each brings gifts the others cannot. The body doesn’t erase identity; it harmonizes it.

Where may I have mistaken conformity for unity, and how might I honour the Spirit’s diversity more deeply?

A Lent Calendar

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 04:00:12 GMT

March 15, 2026

Our reflections this week focus on 1 Corinthians 12:1-28, the one body of the community expressing itself through various different parts. In our Affirming community, PIE Day—Public, Intentional, Explicit—celebrates the kind of welcome that Paul gestures toward when he writes, “For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body… and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13). In crafting circles, every piece of fabric, bead, or stitch matters. Leave one out, and the design weakens. Paul’s vision reminds us that the church—like a collaborative quilt—is strongest when every unique piece is visible and valued.

As part of a faith filled response, we don’t see belonging as something people earn; it’s an inherent truth woven into creation. When the church becomes intentional about affirming every identity and every body, we finally begin to resemble the diverse tapestry Paul imagines. Faith communities that honour gender-diverse, queer, neurodivergent, and physically challenged members embody the Spirit’s artistry.

How have I shifted from passive welcome to intentional inclusion in my own circles?

A Lent Calendar

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:00:10 GMT

March 14, 2026

The Canaanite woman’s faith pushes through barriers designed to keep her out: ethnic boundaries, gender expectations, religious norms. Her child’s suffering makes her plea even more urgent, highlighting how layered identities intensify exclusion. Jesus’ change of heart reveals a God who continually breaks through the lines we draw. Inclusion becomes not an abstract ideal but a lived practice shaped by real human need. Her fierce advocacy demonstrates that faith insists on belonging for the most vulnerable.

How might I challenge systems—or my own habits—that limit who receives dignity, care, and welcome, especially those who live at the intersections of marginalization?

A Lent Calendar

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:00:27 GMT

March 13, 2026

The story of Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman offers an intimate look at allyship as a journey rather than a fixed posture. Jesus moves from silence to engagement and ultimately to solidarity. The mother’s advocacy for her child—who represents layered forms of marginalization—becomes a moment of honest challenge and growth. Allyship requires this kind of humility: a willingness to shift when confronted with realities we hadn’t considered. The woman’s courage pulls compassion forward, reminding us that love must evolve.

Where is God inviting me to move from passive goodwill to active, humble allyship on behalf of those whose struggles I may not fully grasp?

A Lent Calendar

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 04:00:31 GMT

March 12, 2026

The Canaanite woman stands outside every circle of privilege: she is a foreigner, a woman, and a desperate mother advocating for her child—who bears the weight of spiritual, social, and cultural exclusion. Yet her voice becomes the catalyst for transformation. Jesus listens, learns, and responds with healing. Progressive faith calls us to center such voices, not simply welcome them. Listening deeply to those at the intersections of struggle reveals truths we cannot see alone.

Whose experience—especially that of someone advocating for a vulnerable child—am I overlooking that could reshape my understanding of justice and grace?

A Lent Calendar

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:00:19 GMT

March 11, 2026

Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28) is the second story we reflect on this week. It is a story which reflects intersectionality. Intersectionality are all the layers of exclusion experienced in one person. Jesus encounters an outsider, a woman, a mother, and possibly even a single mother. The one she is advocating for has the additional vulnerability of being a child. This story unfolds at the margins—where ethnicity, gender, and outsider status collide. Her plea is not for herself but for her child, whose suffering represents an even deeper intersection of vulnerability. Her persistence pushes Jesus—and us—toward broader compassion. Jesus’ shift shows that even sacred traditions can expand when confronted by real human need. The circle widens because a marginalized mother refuses to be dismissed.

Where might I need to allow someone else’s lived experience—especially from the margins—to stretch and reshape my compassion today?

A Lent Calendar

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:00:38 GMT

March 10, 2026

Not everyone can be like Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—some people may not have the capacity or wherewithal to advocate for themselves, their voices may be quiet or silent. These are the people who are most especially in need of allies. When you think of where you live, or the people around you, are you aware of the quiet voices? Who might they be? What would being an ally look like?

A Lent Calendar

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:00:42 GMT

March 9, 2026

Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah--the daughters of Zelophehad--chose to believe that God would not abandon them, that the promise of God was to them as well as their father, and gave voice to their concerns. They were strong self-advocates. Who are the self advocating people that you admire? They could be people you know or people in history, like Violet Desmond. Where do you think their strength came from?

A Lent Calendar

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:00:18 GMT

March 8, 2026

Today is the Third Sunday of Lent. There are two stories that we will be reflecting on. The first is the story of the four daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11): Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They accompanied their father for the 40 years that the Israelites wandered through the wilderness. They and their father were faithful to the community. Unfortunately, their father died before they made it to the promised land. The land was to be divided among those who had survived the journey. Unfortunately, due to patriarchal thinking, it was to be divided among the male survivors, and since their father had made it with them, they were to be excluded from receiving any land. They appealed to Moses and the elders, but where refused. Moses decided to ask God, who agreed with the daughters of Zelophehad. The covenant of God was with all the people, not just the men.

Think about a time where you listened to someone and it changed your mind about what you believed or how you were going to act. What was it that changed?

A Lent Calendar

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:00:53 GMT

March 6, 2026

God’s dream for the world takes time. As much as we would like to be in harmony with everyone, like any prayer the answer can be yes, no, or wait. We have to be aware of our own capacities, our own health. What is true about our fortunes in the beatitudes, that ebb and flow of life, is also true about our relationships—there are times and seasons. Waiting is the hardest answer, it is where we have to entrust someone to God’s care. For those who harmony is not a possibility, we know they are loved by God and this may not be the time for this blessing.

How do I feel about that? How good am I at letting go, if needed?

A Lent Calendar

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:01:09 GMT

March 5, 2026

5God’s dream for the world, as expressed in the Sermon on the Plain, is one where people live in harmony, where how we react to people is not based on how they present themselves, but how God sees them—how much God loves and cares for them.

How good am I a seeing people that way? Are there examples where I could do better?

A Lent Calendar

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:00:18 GMT

March 4, 2026

Toward the end of this section of the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus encourages his listeners to do good to those who have no intention of doing good to them. When you think of challenging interactions you have had with others, how did you respond? Do you think responding by matching their emotion or energy would have been helpful? What Jesus was suggesting is what we today call de-escalation. How might reacting in a helpful or positive way change the dynamic of situations where there are challenges?

A Lent Calendar

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:27 GMT

March 3, 2026

In the second part of this sermon on the plain, Jesus proclaims 4 woes. Woe to those who are rich, full, laughing and praised. He reminds them of the impermanence of life. It is the nature of life that it has ups and downs. With the collection of Blessedness and woes, Jesus is telling his listeners that God’s favour is not bound to the ups and downs of life, but God’s favour, God’s love, is with them all the time.

What are your reflections on what Jesus has to say for you or for those you encounter, whether they are going through good times or bad?

A Lent Calendar

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:00:38 GMT

March 2, 2026

In Jesus’ time there were many who believed that a sign that you were favoured by God was that you were well off. On the flip side, they also believed that if you were going through challenging times then you were in trouble with God. In the Beatitudes, Jesus challenges that narrative by telling those who are poor, the hungry, the weeping that God is indeed with them and is working with them to find the answers they are looking for.

There are many stories of faithful people who have felt closer to God when they were going through difficult times. Sometimes God works through those people who are comforting angels that remind us of God’s presence. Have you had that experience?

A Lent Calendar

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:04 GMT

March 1, 2026

Today is the Second Sunday of Lent. This week we will reflect on the Beatitudes as they are found in Luke 6:20-36.

What does “being blessed” mean to you? How are you blessed, what are you blessed by or with?

A Lent Calendar

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 05:00:51 GMT

February 28, 2026

Sometimes angels come to us, other times we are the angels others need. We are the ones who reach out and provide solace, comfort and encouragement.

Write your name in the middle of a piece of paper. Now around your name write down the names of people, animals or places that you take care of, include the names of those for whom you have provided a word of comfort and encouragement. Draw an arrow from your name to the others and then another arrow back to your name. As you draw the arrow to and from each name, ask God to continue to bless them. Now draw a heart encompassing all the names.

A Lent Calendar

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 05:00:58 GMT

February 27, 2026

At the end of his time of testing, we are told that Angels came to Jesus to attend to him. They provided comfort and care after the challenging time.

Draw a heart on a piece of paper and write down the names of the people, creatures and/or places that offer you solace during or after a challenging time.

A Lent Calendar

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:01:16 GMT

February 26, 2026

In the third temptation, the devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for one act of allegiance. At first glance it seems like a temptation about power, but at its core it is about identity. The offer invites Jesus to become a different kind of Messiah — one defined by dominance, visibility, and immediate success. It is a shortcut to influence, a chance to “be someone” without the slow, faithful work of love, service, and sacrifice. But taking the deal would mean losing himself. It would mean grounding his identity in power rather than in God. It would mean becoming the kind of king the world expects, not the kind God calls him to be.

Jesus refuses because he knows who he is. He doesn’t need the world’s approval or authority to validate his calling. His mission flows from worship, not ambition.

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

With this, Jesus chooses integrity over influence, faithfulness over fame, and the cross over shortcuts.

When or where am I faced with a choice to base my worth on achievement or influence instead of the identity God has already given you as one who is beloved as I am, called to be all I am and live with compassion in the world?

A Lent Calendar

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:12 GMT

February 25, 2026

In the second temptation, the Tester urges Jesus to throw himself from the pinnacle of the temple, insisting that angels will rescue him. The lure here is not thrill-seeking—it is certainty-seeking and the introduction of doubt.

I f Jesus were to jump, the danger wouldn’t be the fall—it would be the self‑doubt that pushed him to it.

It would mean accepting a view of his identity as something insecure, something fragile, something that needs constant testing. If Jesus jumps and God rescues him, then the path ahead does not necessarily become easier. In the moment there may be no ambiguity, no trust required—just proof. But what happens the next time a small doubt comes up, a challenge to self-confidence. Faith for the short term is not the goal. It is precisely the opposite of faith. Jesus refuses to entertain doubt or manipulate God for reassurance for what he already has been told, what he already knows. His mission is rooted in relationship and promise, not spectacle. He walks forward with confidence and trust rather than a constant need for reassurance.

The temptation reminds us how often we ask God for signs to make life foolproof, when what God asks of us is confidence and faithfulness even in uncertainty.

Where do I need to be confident and not shaken by uncertainty? Where in life do I feel pressured to prove my worth or identity instead of resting in who God has already declared me to be-a beloved child with gifts and inherent worth—both spiritually and in your daily living?

A Lent Calendar

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:21 GMT

February 24, 2026

The wilderness is a place of stripping down—of letting go, listening deeply, and rediscovering who we truly are before God. Jesus enters this solitude with purpose: a forty‑day fast meant to prepare him for ministry, clarify his identity, and tune his heart to God's voice.

So when the Tester whispers, “Turn these stones into bread,” the suggestion is not merely about hunger—it is about shortcutting the spiritual work.

The wilderness fast is meant to clarify Jesus’ purpose and deepen his confidence in his calling. Yet the tempter’s question tries to make Jesus doubt not only his mission, but the very reason he is in the wilderness at all.

If Jesus turns stones into bread, the fast ends prematurely. The wilderness journey, designed for transformation, is reduced to inconvenience. The temptation is subtle: “Why suffer? Why wait? Why endure when you could fix this right now by giving up?” The temptation isn’t about bread—it’s about self‑trust. It tries to convince Jesus that discomfort means failure, that struggle means he is off-course, that hardship means he must not be who he thinks he is.

But Jesus refuses to let physical need dictate his identity, his call. He knows that being the beloved Son is not proven by miracles, or ease, or the absence of hunger. It is anchored in God's call, not in circumstances. He chooses purpose over comfort, mission over immediacy. He reveals that God’s calling often requires finishing the wilderness work rather than escaping it.

What are some of the distractions that I find prevent me from going deeper into my faith, or might stop me from moving forward on my life goals? Where in my life do challenges or discomfort make me question my purpose or forget who God has called me to be?

A Lent Calendar

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:00:58 GMT

February 23, 2026

Throughout Jesus' time of testing, he responds to each test with scripture. This reminds us that he was rooted in his faith, his faith community, where he learned what it means to have faith through the experiences of those around him and the stories of his faith.

How does my faith community and the stories of faith support me?

A Lent Calendar

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 05:00:32 GMT

February 22, 2026: First Sunday in Lent

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. Traditionally, the first Sunday of Lent invites us to reflect on Jesus' sojourn in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). In a traditional understanding of these texts people often talk about temptation, the offer to do something that is wrong. But what if we think in terms of testing. The tester begins the tests with "if you are the Son of God" or "If you are who you say you are." The tester is asking Jesus to prove himself. Another way to look at the question would be "who do you believe you are?" How might Jesus' responses be understood as an expression of his confidence in his identity, in who he believes himself to be? "I don't have to prove myself, I know who I am and to whom I belong"

Who am I? What are the values and abilities that make up who I am? Who do I believe I am in relationship to God?

A Lent Calendar

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 05:00:32 GMT

February 21, 2026

Faith isn't always loud or showy, it often shows up in small acts of service and kindness. When you consider the people you have encountered, or those you will encounter today, where have you or are you seeing expressions of faith in small acts of service and kindness?

A Lent Calendar

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:00:46 GMT

February 20, 2026

Pope Leo XIV had some thoughts about a different kind of fasting: “Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities.” He encouraged his listeners take up words of hope and peace.

A Lent Calendar

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:01:04 GMT

February 19, 2026

During Lent, people sometimes choose to fast (take a break or do without something) like food or TV. What is something that you could do without that would make a difference to or benefit you, your community or the earth positively?

A Lent Calendar

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:00:10 GMT

Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

(Matthew 6:21)

What do you think of when you think of what is important to you? Draw a heart on a piece of paper and write three things you treasure inside your heart. What makes a treasure a lasting one?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 05:15:01 GMT

December 25, 2025

Merry Christmas. On this day we celebrate God’s becoming one of us, and in doing God tells each one of us of God’s love and good will toward us. In the yearly celebration of Jesus' birth we are reminded again and again, that love is a bond that transcends all boundaries, connecting hearts across time, distance, and difference.

“Love is the greatest force in the world. It bridges gaps, heals wounds, and transforms lives.” – Maya Angelou

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 24, 2025

The story of Christmas is how God has chosen to come in the form of a child, into the cradle of a family, drawing compassionate beings to himself so that they might know God’s love and compassion. We are drawn into ever widening circles of love and compassion. Active loving compassion is the life blood of the web of life. This is not only the message of Christmas, but also many of the great religions of the world The Buddha reminds us that "In separateness lies the world's greatest misery; in compassion lies the world's true strength." The Dalai Lama develops this though further, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." If you want to get to know God better, practice loving compassion. As the German Theologian, Wolfhart Pannenberg wrote: “The love of one’s neighbour that Jesus preached is nothing other than participating in God’s own mind and activity.”

A Dreamer's Advent Calendar

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 05:15:02 GMT

December 23, 2025

There is a power in unconditional love. It has the power to heal ourselves, our loved ones and the world. Elie Wiesel tells us, "“Unconditional love is an act of defiance against hatred and intolerance, bringing light into the darkest of times.” and Nelson Mandela carries that light forward, as a source of hope. "Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future." What areas of your life, the life of your loved ones, or your community could use a little more light?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 05:15:08 GMT

December 22, 2025

What conditions do you put on loving yourself? Are those conditions reasonable or helpful to your journey? “Unconditional love is a journey of self-discovery, where we learn to love ourselves fully and extend that love to others.” – Osho, Love, Freedom, Aloneness: The Koan of Relationships (1997). Unconditionally loving ourselves opens the doors to loving others.

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 21, 2025

In these last days of Advent, our theme is love, especially, unconditional love. God loves each one of us unconditionally, without reservations, no strings attached, as we are. God loves you without "ifs", "if onlys", or "buts". How does that make you feel knowing that there is someone who stands beside you like that?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 20, 2025

The Joy of community. Beethoven’s familiar piece, “Ode to Joy”, is a celebration of human community and the joy found in nature. I guess you could say it is the joy found in the web of life. The poet Friederich Shiller, who wrote the poem that Beethoven used, saw joy as a unifying and divine force, celebrating the interconnectedness of all humanity (and all things) and the beauty of life. Think about, and make a list of, the times you experienced joy in nature and in the various communities of which you have been and are a part.

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 19, 2025

A special kind of joy are the gifts we give to others. Especially, the gifts of thoughtfulness that we offer to our friends or family, whether it is a phone call, gifting someone with their favorite food, or sharing in a favourite activity. Who in your life could use a little joyful surprise?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 18, 2025

Joy is a gift we can give others. The acts of kindness that we often talk about,--like paying it forward, smiling when interacting with others, helping someone by opening a door--are all small joy moments. They not only offer a bit of joy to another, but in the bringing of joy, we ourselves get a little spark of joy. Joy is infectious. Think of bringing some small joy to the people you engage with today.

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:15:05 GMT

December 17, 2025

Have you ever thought of joy as being revolutionary. In the stories of Mary and Elizabeth, they experienced hope-filled joy, even though they faced many challenges in their lives. They could have worried about the political and social circumstances that they found themselves in. Instead, they chose to see the blessing and the hope that came with knowing that they were loved and cared for by God and that they were God’s agents in the world.

The fact that we have the ability to experience joy, to choose to experience joy in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, tells us that we have control over our lives. When was the last time you experienced joy, even small joys, in spite of whatever else was going on in your life? How have you chosen joy, to be joyful?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 05:15:02 GMT

December 16, 2025

Anticipatory joy. Have you had that feeling of joy where you are doing something, buying or making a gift for someone, and imagining their reaction to the gift? It’s like you are celebrating your connection and looking forward to deepening that connection. What are some examples of anticipatory joy that you have experienced in your life?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 05:15:03 GMT

December 15, 2025

Simple joys found in simple pleasures. If we are open to life, we can experience joy in some simple things. Perhaps its that first cup of coffee in the morning, a break in the middle of the day, a quick hello with a friend or neighbor, or even a good deed done for another. Have you felt joy in any of these things? What simple joy can you introduce into your life today?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 14, 2025

Joy. What does it mean to you? Where do you experience joy? Joy is often experienced as part of connection with someone or something else. Like hope and peace it has many different definitions. Who are the people in your life who bring you joy?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 13, 2025

Peace is always a work in progress. Andre Gide reminds us that it is easier to goad and lead people to combat by stirring up passion. It is much harder to restrain people and direct them toward the patient labours of peace. How do you relate to this idea? In what ways are you engaged in being a person of peace?

A Dreamer's Advent Calendar

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 05:15:04 GMT

December 12. 2025

Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is a state of mind, a condition brought about by a serenity of soul. Lasting peace can only come to peaceful people, people who are willing to be compassionate and open to understanding. To disarm the world, we need first disarm ourselves. We can approach the world with a fist, or an open hand. Can you think of example where you found reaching out with understanding resulted in a peaceful outcome?

A Dreamer's Advent Calendar

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 05:15:05 GMT

December 11, 2025

The word "peace" has many different meanings, and there are many different approaches to peace. Today we look at peace in terms of calm, or quieting the mind. Nature has a unique way of calming the mind and restoring balance, even in the coldest months. Winter’s stillness invites reflection and mindfulness, offering a quiet escape from life’s constant motion. The crisp air, soft snow, and serene landscapes remind us of simplicity and resilience—qualities we often overlook.

Take a slow stroll through a snowy park or forest. Listen to the crunch beneath your feet and notice the silence around you. If you find it too cold, take a look out your window and These observe winter birds. Their vibrant presence against the stark landscape is a gentle reminder of life’s persistence. If you can go outside, bundle up and find a scenic spot. Sit quietly, breathe deeply, and let the winter air refresh your spirit. Even a few minutes can bring clarity and calm. Winter doesn’t have to feel isolating—it can be a season of peace and renewal if we choose to embrace its quiet beauty.

A Dreamer's Advent Calendar

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 10,2025

There is a connection between hope and peace. Hope makes peace possible. Hope makes room for the soul to breathe. We can be at peace because we know that there in every moment of life we always have options. Viktor Frankl expressed this opportunity by reminding us that "Between stimulus and response there is space." He emphasized the importance of the pause that allows us to choose our reactions, highlighting our capacity for personal growth and freedom. Think of a time when you chose to stop and think, instead of just react. What is there to learn from this experience? How did the experience feel in terms of hope and peace?

A Dreamer's Advent Calendar

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:06:01 GMT

December 9, 2025

A familiar person that is a part of the Christmas Story, and featured in Advent, is John the Baptist. Advent is the season of preparation for the coming of Christmas, so who better to represent waiting and preparation than the one who prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus. John’s ministry was on the margin, between the wilderness and ‘civilization.’ His message was one of asking people to reflect on what wasn’t working in their communities, and thinking about how God’s way of clarity, compassion, acceptance and the will to change could bring resolution and peace. Ask yourself, What aspect of my life or my relationships could use healing through clarity, compassion, acceptance and the will to change? Where could I start building bridges?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 8, 2025

Advent is a time where we think about hope and peace. Sometimes when we think about the word peace, we think about conflict. In times of conflict, we may be hoping for peace, which usually arrives when we have resolved the conflict. Think about the last challenge you faced and resolved. How did you feel when you first faced the challenge? How did you go about facing the challenge (did you have a strategy)? How did you feel after the resolution? Is there something you would do differently if you faced a similar challenge? How did the resolution affect your sense of hope?

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 7, 2025

One of the places where we find or learn about hope is in our relationships with others. We will have a conversation with someone who has a perspective that we may never have thought of. Who are the people in your circle who have given you a sense of hope? If you are so inclined maybe contact them through email, text or a phone call, letting them know how they have shared hope with you. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself feeling more hopeful as a result.

A Dreamer’s Advent Calendar

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 6, 2025

It’s the feast of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was born in 270 CE. His kindness and generosity, especially toward the marginalized of his time, is legendary and is behind the attributes that we associate with Santa Claus. Random acts of kindness are acts of hope. When something good happens “just because” it reminds us that there are good people in the world, who want to make a difference. Something as simple as a friendly smile. That makes us feel hopeful.

“What can I do today, that would be a nice surprise for someone?”

A dreamer's Advent Calendar

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 5, 2025

Sometimes one of the best things we can do to move toward hope is to breathe. By calming down we can gain a better perspective on what is going on inside and around us. Create some space in your life for deep breathing. In fact, stop what you are doing right now and take 4 slow deep breaths. It's that easy.

A Dreamers Advent Calendar

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:45:27 GMT

December 4, 2025

In this first week of Advent we are reflecting on hope. Hope means believing things can get better with active compassion and imagination. We actively move from what is to what can be using the tools we have at hand. Ask yourself: When I look at myself, your family and my community, how has hope helped to go from where I once was to where I am now?

A Dreamer's Advent Calendar

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:15:00 GMT

December 3, 2025

During this season of Advent, we take a moment to dream of what this world could be. But what of God’s dream? The prophet Isaiah talks about turning swords into pruning hooks, an act of taking what harms and turning into something that helps. Ask yourself: "What thing (or things) would I like to see change from something that harms to something that helps? How do I think this change can happen? Is there something I could do?"

You can make a note to yourself, or share your thoughts in the comment section here, if you like, or on your personal social media posts. If you do, consider using the hashtag #edenwilltodream.

A Dreamer's Advent Calendar

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:22:53 GMT

December 2, 2025

From the words of prophets, like Isaiah, to the story of Christmas, we know that God is met in all sorts of places from mangers to fields and mountaintops. Take a contemplative walk around your neighbourhood. What signs of hope can you find? Take a moment after you walk to jot them down. You can even share them in the comment section here, if you like, or on your personal social media posts. If you do, consider using the hashtag #edenwilltodream.