Looking Toward Lent

Lent is upon us, in fact it begins next week. Ash Wednesday is on February 14th this year. The last time this happened, my friends and I dubbed it Ash Valentine's Day. 
I think it works. On Ash Wednesday, we remember our earthiness. These bodies of ours will not live forever; but our legacies will live on long past our bones have turned to dust. 
On Ash Wednesday, we reflect on our mortality. How will we be remembered? And we reflect on our living, as well. How are we faithfully following Christ? What needs to change, or go altogether? 

Some people choose to participate in a fast during Lent. Many people "give up" something, like sugar, TV, or meat. They abstain from these things for the 40 days after Ash Wednesday, not including Sundays. Sundays are like "mini Easters" in the Season of Lent, to remind us of the hope we have, even as we reflect on our earthy, dust-to dustness. 

Each year, instead of abstaining from something, I add a spiritual practice to my life; an intentional practice to keep me mindful of becoming less in my life, so Christ can become more. I'm still deciding what that will be for this year. 

However you choose to participate in Lent this year, if you decide to do so, may you have clarity and focus as you turn inward, to identify things that limit your full experience of the love of God and the leading of Christ in your life.

Blessings,

-Pastor Sara -