Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Lent: Time of Redemption
(Preparation)
Orlando MTC, Florida
17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:
everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All
this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us
the ministry of reconciliation;
Lent is a solemn religious
observance in the liturgical calendar of many Christian denominations that
begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday
commemorates the beginning of Jesus' 40-day fasting and temptation in the
desert, and Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus' resurrection after His
crucifixion. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the
believer through prayer, reflection, penance, repentance of sins, sharing of
one's resources with the needy, atonement, and self-denial. This is
observed by many Christian Churches. Throughout the Christendom, many
adherents mark the season with the traditional abstention from things that are
dear to them. In other words, this is a retooling opportunity for believers
from their life pattern as a whole.
Lent
is a season for penance which means sorrow for sin and conversion to God and
godly ways. This tradition teaches that fasting and employing
self-discipline during Lent will give a worshipper the "control over
himself that he needs to purify his heart and renew his life."
However, the Bible clearly shows that self-control - temperance - comes
from having God's Holy Spirit working in the life of a converted mind (Gal.
5:16,17,22,23).
Fasting
by itself is not a tool for penance. We read in Isaiah that, "Is
this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth
and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains
of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and
break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to
provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:5-7)"
Lent
carries a tone of reflection and re-evaluation of what was realized and
assimilated in the life of a believer thus far. As such the preparation
for redemption during Lent must come from a deep desire of one's heart in order
to become a new creation from now on (John 3:3). And this process should
not be a seasonal affair either.
Once
a thief stopped a priest and demanded his wallet. As the priest reached
in his pocket to hand over his money, the robber noticed his clerical collar
and said, "I understand you are a priest. Never mind, you can
go." The unexpected act of piety of the robber surprised the priest.
As a sign of gratitude, the clergyman offered him a candy bar. The robber
said, "no thank you, I don't eat candy during Lent." This is a
real thought provoking story.
Life is a glorious
opportunity if it is used to condition us for eternity. If we fail in
this endeavour, though we succeed in many other things, our life will have been
a failure. There is no escape for the one who squanders his time to
prepare to accept Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Merciful Lord, thank
You for liberating us from our past. Strengthen us with Your
presence as we move forward in a frighteningly changing world. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"O Holy Spirit,
descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this
neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams." -
Saint Augustine