Dear friends in Christ,
On this one day a year, even Lent Madness pauses to reflect on our life, our blessings, and our mortality. The entire season of Lent is an invitation to recommit to following Jesus. This day, Ash Wednesday, is a poignant reminder that life is short. We are meant to savor our earthly life and to live it well.
At the end of life, few people regret not having worked more, nor do they wish they had spent more money on stuff. In fact, end of life regrets usually revolve around love. “I wish I had spent more time with my family. I wish I had forgiven the person who wronged me. I wish I had been a more faithful Christian.”
When we kneel before the altar and hear the words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” we are reminded that we are mortal. We should not delay our decision to repent, to live more fully, to follow Jesus more faithfully.
Aside from the ridiculous competition and constant silliness of Lent Madness, we hope everyone who takes part will notice something about each of the saints. Every single one of the saints was a flawed human. You might be used to seeing them in stained glass or in marble, but they were living, breathing, messed up people not so different from us. And yet, each one of these saints managed to allow God’s grace to work in them such that Christ’s light shone brightly in their lives. They were witnesses to the world of the transforming love of Jesus Christ.
Over the course of this year’s Lent Madness, you will meet 32 new saintly companions. Perhaps they will inspire you to follow Jesus in new ways, so that you can be a witness of the Good News of God in Christ. Perhaps you will invite the saints to pray for you, for they are also companions with us in our earthly pilgrimage. You see, beneath the silliness of the saintly smackdown, there lies a brighter, deeper truth in God’s grace at work in the world.
This Lenten season, we invite you to draw closer to our Lord Jesus. Give up those things which keep you away from Jesus. Take on those things that bring you closer to Jesus. We hope Lent Madness is helpful on your journey.
We wish you every blessing in this Lenten season.
Tim+ Scott+
The Supreme Executive Committee
This post is a reprise of our Ash Wednesday post from 2015. In honor of the Fifteenth Anniversary of Lent Madness, we'll be bringing you some classic content throughout this commemorative season. Hey, it was either this or sell you #LentMadnessXV trinkets. You're welcome.
Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash.
9 comments on “Lent is an Invitation”
Thank you Tim and Scott for this heartfelt call to truly engage ourselves this Lent. Amidst the very engaging fun and silliness (and of course learning and reflection and community), it's good to be reminded why we're here.
Thank you for this. A Blessed and Holy Lent to all!
Thank you, Tim and Scott. I have much reflecting to do.
but, can we also have trinkets?
a blessed lent to you all!
Thank you Tim and Scott for all your hard work, giving us the opportunity to celebrate the saints and learn to walk in their shoes or at least be inspired on our own paths! With or without trinkets!
I can’t get the vote to work
Something seems to be wrong with the system. I was not able to vote (“vote not allowed”).
Thank you for the Lent service Tim & Scott. ✝️
I can not find the site on Lent madness where we are to vote. I have been voting after reading the saints of the day, below the second person. Please help me, I want to be included in the vote. All I have read this year are written well & are very informative! Thankyou for providing this Informative & fun tool of Lent.