It is the start of another season of Lent. I don't remember a time when I didn't participate in Lent. It is part of me and of my family's DNA. For those of us who grew up with these traditions, it is often with astonishment when we hear anyone say, "Lent? I never heard of it." For those of you who are reading this and have never journeyed toward Easter following a season of fasting, I hope you will take the opportunity this year. Today is Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of the church's penitential season. Ash Wednesday comes with the invitation to keep a holy Lent - with fasting and self examination and self denial. As well as, of course, the sign of ashes on our foreheads - death before resurrection.
One of the readings for Ash Wednesday is from Isaiah 58. Here is a portion of that reading:
If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.
This vision of Isaiah is one way to look at our journey in Lent. We are the ones called to remove heavy burdens from other people, to offer food for the journey, to be light in the darkness and water to the parched. Lent is about changing the focus of our vision - less of ourselves, more of each other. I think it would be amazing to be called a repairer of the breach! Much in our lives is in need of repair - we live with broken promises, compromised relationships, destroyed trust. And yet, there is always the hope of restoration. Walk this season of Lent with the intention of becoming one who restores and see where the God of hope will lead you.
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