Some thoughts this Lent

We begin a new season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday (not counting Sundays). On Wednesday night we were reminded in the liturgy that Lent is a time to prepare for the celebration Christ's death and resurrection. We were told that “In order that our Lent may be a time of renewal and growth we begin this season by remembering our need for repentance and for the forgiveness of God proclaimed by Jesus Christ.” We were then invited to “observe a holy Lent by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting, self-denial and giving to those in need, and by reading and meditating on the word of God.”

Lent provides us an opportunity to go more slowly, to take time in our fasting to be silent and still so that we might listen. It is a time to go deep within ourselves to listen to God deeply.

Lent is a time when we can be reminded of the nature of the God we follow in Jesus, to be reminded that God is love and we are held in that love no matter how bad we are or unworthy we think we are. We are also reminded that God is establishing God’s reign of generosity, peace and justice; and that we are invited to be part of that mission.

Lent is a time for us all to listen, to be ready for God to continue to speak through all those gathered, and through those on the edge of our community. This Lent may we know deeply within as individuals and as a community that we are profoundly loved by God, and may we rest in that love. May we also see afresh the world as loved by God and through prayer join with God in living out that love. May we deepen our reliance on the grace of God, and share in God’s mission.