It comes every year

Lent. Again. It happens every year but it can still, at least sometimes for me, sneak up on us. I would think I’d be used to it by now but . . . this year is one where it snuck up on me. I was asked recently why I observed Lent and I’m afraid the first thing that came to my mind is “Because it is there.” Not in any way trying to parrot the line about climbing mountains but rather it is like being asked why I observe Wednesday; because it is Wednesday.

I didn’t grow up with the church year, not even Advent. My childhood religious days were Christmas and Easter, with Good Friday thrown is a day off school. Advent appeared on my radar before Lent and I took some of the lessons I learned preparing for Christmas into Lent when I was actually exposed to it. Lent can prepare us for Easter, it doesn’t have to. There is no regulation in The Presbyterian Church in Canada saying you must celebrate Lent. Lent can be an opportunity for you to move closer to God, to enrich your walk with Jesus, but it is an opportunity rather than a requirement.

This week’s sermons are trying to cast Lent in the light of opportunity rather than onerous responsibility. Let me know if I made it.

“It begins” Knox Presbyterian (to download, right-click and select “Save Link As . . .”)