Lenten reflections

This year, all of March is in the season of Lent. It’s not always that way. Sometimes, we have a little bit of time in the early part of the month prior to Ash Wednesday, and sometimes, we have a little bit of time in the latter part of the month after Easter. But this year, the entire month is Lent.

Lent is a season of remembering and preparing and walking along with Jesus on his road to the cross. As the weeks go by, the weight of Jesus’ obedience
to the way of God gets heavier as his challenges to the people in power become more pointed. And yet, we see that Jesus remains undeterred. He keeps on doing what he knows he’s supposed to be doing, right up until the time he forgives those who have put nails in his hands and a spear in his side.

We know, of course, that the cross
is not the end of the story. Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrected life and his overcoming of death, not just for himself but for all of us. The gifts we receive from Lent and Easter together give us the hope and the courage to keep on doing what we know we’re supposed
to be doing and becoming who we’re supposed to be throughout the entirety our lives—even when it’s hard.

May the gifts of Lent and of Easter bless you along your way.