Lent??

As we begin our Lenten journey, I read an interesting article entitled “Survey says 24 percent of  Americans observe Lent”.

It got me wondering, why we have lost our observance of Lent? Does it not matter in our faith life? What is Lent all about? Why do we need to prepare for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Lent is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends roughly, six weeks later on Holy Saturday ( it excludes Sundays). The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, doing penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving , atonement, and self—denial—all things that Jesus did for us. In Lent many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penance. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional or reading the Bible. All Lenten practices are done to bring the believer in touch with the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made to take away our sins. It is to change our focus from being satisfied in this life so that we can focus on the life that we are all created for and are citizens of by our very baptisms. Our observance of lent then should be done with the intention of focusing on those things that are going to bring us closer to our calling—becoming more Christ-like. (Yes -these are the very things that we are called to do all year long) but Lent is a season that we come away with Jesus to his desert experience to better focus our calling. Our observance of Lent does make a difference, and directly influences our celebration of Easter. I pray that each of you will have a holy Lent.

May The Lord Bless and Keep You,
Rev. Stephen W. Barch