“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, 264)
Today marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is the 40-day period before Easter during which many Christians take time to prepare themselves for the resurrection of Christ. This can be done in many ways. Some people give something up or abstain from something such as alcohol, chocolate, or cursing. Other people fast one day a week. Still others introduce a practice into their lives such as reading a daily devotion, meditation, or volunteering. There is no right or wrong way to observe Lent, so long as whatever you do instills in you a discipline that brings you closer to God. As my priest offered last Sunday, “Lent is about making a small sacrifice now in the hopes that if we can remain disciplined enough to follow through on this commitment, then when it really matters, we will be confident in our abilities to remain disciplined then, too.” Lent, therefore, is a season of discipline; a season of self-examination. It is a season of penitence; a season of repentance. It is also a season of forgiveness and reconciliation as we know that it culminates in the joy of Easter! Note that today you may see people – or you yourself – wearing crosses made of ashes on their foreheads. This first day of Lent is known as Ash Wednesday. These ashen crosses are signs of mortality and penitence. They are to remind those who wear them and see them that we were created by God from the dust of the earth, and to dust we shall return (Gen. 3:19, Ecc. 3:20). So this Lent, take time to reflect. To pray. To ask for forgiveness and to forgive. Consider how you might be able to draw closer to God as we await Christ’s resurrection on Easter. |