And so, it begins again. This annual observance of the holiest of Christian events on the church’s calendar, the forty- day countdown to Easter. Our usual custom is to gather for worship service where we receive the ashes on our foreheads in the shape of the cross. But as it has with everything else, the pandemic disrupted that in many churches; mine being one of them. Instead, I applied holy oil to my forehead as a pastor who led the brief service on our Prayer line recited the familiar words, “You are dust, and to dust you will return.” We are reminded in this Christian ritual of the cost of our salvation – Jesus’ crucifixion on a cross for our sins – and invited during the forty days to the renewal of our commitment to Him and our faith. What an appropriate time for reflection, rededication, repentance, letting go of things that stunt our efforts to be who we were created to be; and taking on new behaviors, and embracing new attitudes that release the positive potentials God embedded at our creation.
It’s easy to be kind and loving, forbearing and forgiving when everything is “rosy posy,” Not so much when the times are as they are currently. No one “turns the other cheek.” Perhaps this Lenten season can be more than just giving up sweets, cutting back on the sitcom binges, foregoing shoe shopping. Perhaps Lent 2022 will be an opportunity to practice intentionality. To take on one characteristic of Christ for 40 days (your decision which one). To pare down your possessions and give your excesses to a church program that ministers to the least among us. To begin and end your day in deliberate engagement in God’s word via a devotional or the Bible itself. May we all celebrate Easter 2022 with a heightened awareness of the Savior’s love for us, and a renewed desire to love others the same.
Amen. Hope we are able to deepen our authentic relationship with The Lord.