:: M squared T ::

:: Thursday, February 26, 2004 ::

Welcome To Lent

Yesterday we held an Ash Wednesday service. One of the impressions that I got while listening to the scriptures read was that Lent isn't so depressing after all. Yes, we remember our mortality and transience - but we remember those things in light of God's everlasting faithfulness and immortality. True, we use the time to ask for forgiveness, but that is in light of God's gracious, compassionate love - he does not treat us as our sins deserve.

Given our nature as both righteous and sinners, "simul justus et peccator" (Martin Luther), it makes sense that we should have a time of the year devoted to reconciliation of ourselves to God, our neighbors and ourselves. Lent could, in fact, be the time when we focus on some corporate spiritual housecleaning - dedicating ourselves to resolving our differences with one another as an expression of Christ's love, shown on the cross.

Yes, Lent is a time for soul-searching. But soul-searching need not be depressing. The kind of soul-searching that reflects our Christian life always leads us back to the place that God is sufficient - sufficient to care for us, and willing to take on the burden of our sins. The Lenten burden is light, the Lenten yoke is easy - just like the rest of the year.

This Lent, we in this place are creating space in our lives for God to move by praying the Psalms from the Daily Office, according to the Book of Common Prayer. See the Lectionary Page for the readings. You are more than welcome to join us.

:: Matt 2/26/2004 11:44:00 AM :: permalink :: ::
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