Dear Family of Our Redeemer’s,
We are standing on the threshold of Lent which begins on March 2 with ASH WEDNESDAY. When we are marked with the ashes of last year’s palms from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to begin the events of Holy Week, what does that “cross on your forehead” say to you and to the people who see it? The words spoken as we are marked, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”, may seem morbid and depressing. On the other hand, they can speak a truth that leads to freedom, resurrection and new life.
What does Lent mean to you in 2022? The focus and emphasis of Lent has changed over the past 50 years. The very painful, cruel, mean-spirited treatment of Jesus that led to his crucifixion is not to be minimized or ignored. It is an ugly story that we cannot ignore. We see and hear ourselves in the crowd yelling, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” when Jesus gets too personal with us about our lack of truth and honesty in our shallow views of life and discipleship. We deny our mortality. We white-wash our “what’s in it for me” motivation for being a follower of Jesus.
Confession and repentance are still very much at the heart of Lent. We ask for the light of God’s Word to shine on us so that we build our lives on the truth. The word of forgiveness is spoken from the cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. In those words, we are freed to live. Our Lenten journey becomes a preparation for the new life of Easter. Aware of our mortality and our need for the new life flowing from Christ’s death and resurrection, we are open to the possibilities of faithful living as followers of Jesus.
What kind of person would you like to be when we emerge from the Good Friday tomb and find ourselves walking in the garden on Easter morning? I am praying that the light and truth that comes from our Lenten journey would make me into a more humble, honest, loving, hope-filled, generous, caring, faithful person. Set free from the destructive powers of sin, death, and evil I would hope to shine the light of Christ in dark places where people are hurting, confused, hopeless, fearful, depressed, lonely, hungry, and sad. I really do hope that Lent will make a difference in who I am and what my life is all about. I would hope that this journey with Jesus would not be just a bunch of empty words but be life-changing.
It is my prayer that for the people of God at Our Redeemer’s, the new life of Easter will shine brighter than ever before. God has given us this wonderful community of faith. “Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”.
Blessings on your Lenten journey toward new life,
Interim Supply Pastor, Fred Mai
