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February 2005
Lent and Renewal
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February 2005
Lent and Renewal
One of the very important ways we at Central make our days count is to follow the Christian Calendar. Very early in the Christian Church the believers incorporated into their worship something they had learned from the Jewish community, a way to use time for holy purposes. For example: Sunday was not just the first day of the week in which they happen to gather for worship, it was a day of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Since Jesus was raised from the dead on the first day of the week they understood each Sunday to be a mini-Easter. They chose that day for their worship because of its historical and theological significance. In like manner, they also laid out a calendar which enabled them to organize time into a way that enhanced their living as Christians. The calendar was divided into periods of time in order to reenact God's saving actions through Jesus.
In the Christian Calendar the new year begins with Advent, then is followed in order of the sacred events of Christian faith. Advent is followed by Christmas Day, followed by Christmastide until Epiphany. Epiphany is soon followed by Lent, which then leads us to Easter and then Pentecost. We miss the purpose of telling time through these events unless we understand them to be a means to help us live as Christians. The are ways to help us keep sacred time by using our calendar to include ourselves into God's saving drama. Strength and hope are the by-product of life that is reshaped by living this cycle of life within a worship community. Step by step we move as a community toward the goal of becoming the kind of people God intends us to be. Such transformation rarely, if ever, takes place in isolation from others and is experienced only by intentional living.
On Ash Wednesday we will state our intention to be formed in Christ by placing (imposition) of ashes upon our forehead. By this act we remind ourselves that we are followers of Christ and we intend the Lenten season to help form us into being the people of Christ. For forty days, not counting Sundays because they are celebrations of the resurrection, we will exercise special care (penitence) to submit to God those areas of our lives that need special attention. It is a time of being renewed in our faith as we by grace seek God's remedy for our weaknesses. It can be a time of healing from old wounds that keep us limping along. Whatever our need God's love is freely given to forgive and to nurture us back to vibrant life.
To assist us in our renewal we are again encouraging the use of "Celebrating Easter" as an aid during Lent. You will find this guide by clicking here. I hope you will prayerfully engage in spiritual reflection and actively pursue drawing near to Christ.
Pray for one another, and please include me in your prayers. We all need the grace that God alone can provide.
May you find joy and renewal as you serve our Lord.
Grace and Peace,
David