Lent begins

Another year, another season of Lent. There is something reassuring about the repetitive nature of the church year. Not everyone finds this to be the case, but I am one of those people for whom a routine is useful. When I was younger I don’t think I would have predicted a rhythm which is spread out over a year would have meant as much as it does but . . . well, it does. That being said, there are years, and this is one of them, where Lent, and in particular Ash Wednesday, can “sneak up” on me. But, regardless of how prepared I feel or don’t feel, Lent is here for me to embrace as fully as I able.

This year’s first Sunday in Lent sermons have a little history about the origins of Lent but what I was aiming at was helping us see what Lent can offer us. If we look at Lent as an opportunity to reflect on who we are, what we believe and why we believe what we believe this can be a wonderfully rich time. If we allow Lent to help us prepare for Easter our Easter celebrations can be even more wonderful than usual. If we see Lent as a time for humble exploration of our humanness, our embodiedness, we can emerge changed in wonderful ways.

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

“Lent begins” St. Mark’s Presbyterian (to download, right click and select “Save Link As . . .”)

Blessings,