Today we begin our forty-day journey to Easter. The Lenten season invites us to rend our hearts, to take an unflinching look at the ways in which we have fallen short of our calling as followers of Jesus Christ. Difficult? Certainly. Necessary? Absolutely. Joyful? Yes, eventually.
As our Book of Common Prayer reminds us, during Lent we "prepare with joy for the Paschal feast." How can this be? It is always joyful when someone finds Jesus or returns to him. And returning to Jesus is something we all need to do again and again.
The world can look hopeless. Chaos and violence fill the news. Greed and fear seem endemic. It appears that evil has won the day. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ offers a hope-filled truth.
In the suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, we see the deep reality of the world. Death, evil, and sin do not, in fact, define us. Instead, our world is defined by grace, mercy, and hope. The resurrection of Jesus shows us that God's love is stronger than the worst the world can muster: stronger than the mightiest empire, able to defeat even death.
Still, hope can seem impossible. And that's where the saints come in. Generation after generation has witnessed to the power of God's love. Saints of all times, cultures, sorts, and conditions have shown the brightness of Christ's light. We can be inspired by their example, and we can be assured of their prayer for us even amidst the challenges of our world.
So Lent Madness might seem like just a silly distraction from important things. And sometimes it is just that! But on a good day, our annual Lenten tournament of saints can remind us that God has transformed all kinds of people, and that maybe God can transform us, too. The saints who went before us didn't give up in the face of evil, and neither should we.
We hope you find your way to a church today -- and many times throughout Lent. Pray, read the Bible, and ponder your need to repent. And perhaps laugh a little at the silliness of the race for the Golden Halo. But always, in all things, remember that our hope is always in Jesus Christ. And he is always with us.
Have a holy Lent.
We wish you every blessing in this Lenten season.
Tim+ Scott+
18 comments on “Accepting the gift of Lent”
Thank you, Reverends. May God's peace bring you and yours a holy and blessent Lent season.
Thank you for this message. It is, of course, true. Being an Anglican I'm a both/and person. In these turbulent times, it is the poor, marginalised, and vulnerable who will suffer and who are suffering. So, I see this Lent as a call to grow in mercy and compassion and a call to get into "Good Trouble" as we struggle for justice especially for those most vulnerable. Being Canadian, there is a particular area of concern as rhetoric and actions south of the border threaten our sovereignty and the livelihoods of many, many thousands of people. Not to mention genocide in Palestine. I look forward to voting on the saints, though. Thank you.
Thank you. Lent for me is always a time of reflection - what I did and/or didn't do that was pleasing to God. I always look forward to what you will present to us every Lent. A learning experience and lots of fun. Never been disappointed. Prayers for a Holy Lent.
Excellent reflection and spot on for what we need to do in the season of Lent.
What a wonderful homily on Lent. It puts the emphasis just in the right place , not sack clothe and ashes only but the real delving into my heart to find how I can be more like the the Saints who I will learn about , and more like the Christ their example and mine . Also the joy and anticipation of coming out a better person with my neighbors , friends and enemies. “ I sing a song of the Saints of God ….” Thank you for being a part of the process!
Thank you Tim and Scott. In the madness of the modern world, amid the suffering, the greed,the inconsistencies and the strife, our hope and faith are our constants. I wish you both a blessed Lent and a joyful Easter.
When I first became aware of Lent Madness, I thought it was silliness, and inappropriate for Clergy to encourage. However, since that time, it has become just what you say. It's a tool for my own prayers and to which I have encouraged others!
Thank you for this
A Blessed Lent to all!
Bracket looks great on my phone but I am having trouble getting it to print on a single page even from the "print at home" link on the Bracket page. Is it just me?
The accompanying photograph will stay with me throughout this day. The purity of the faith of children is important to remember, to emulate.
Additional recommended reading: Diana Butler Bass's website today. The gift of Lent comes with responsibility, according to the Prophet Isaiah.
Looking forward to your humor, you "Wild and Crazy" guys. And then the message today that helps us focus on the meaning of Lent. Thank You.
Thank you for this message of the true focus of Lent. Wishing you all a blessed Lenten season.
Lent Madness has always given me something fun to look forward to. Considering the world today, it's especially important this year.
Thank you for the very meaningful reflection sent today. I will be forwarding it to family and friends.
Learning about the saints and their humanity helps me remember there is always hope! For all of us!
Thank you Tim and Scott
Thanks for that message, i need to remember God is always with us even when the world seems to have turned up side down.