We are approaching the season of Lent. Traditionally, Lent has been a time of penance. For many, this has meant that we are focused on our sinfulness and our need to repent. Our liturgical practice reinforces that idea. Lent’s beginning is marked with the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday and concludes liturgically with the absolution on Maundy Thursday and emotionally on Easter with the good news of the resurrection.
Lent, however, is more than a time of self-examination of our sin. Lent is also meant to be a time of renewal. During Lent, the central focus is our baptism which means sin to forgiveness, death to life. Through our baptism, we are able to look at ourselves the way we truly are, both the good and the bad. Through are baptism, we are than able to confront our sinfulness, not out of our own strength and courage, but out of the promise of the gospel. Through our baptism, we are able to recognize and own our sin in the knowledge that we are loved by God, forgiven by Christ, and claimed by God’s grace. We can acknowledge our sinful life in order to be led into newness of life. We can become the people God would have us be.
When we mark our foreheads with ashes this Ash Wednesday, let us remember that ashes are not only the ancient symbol of sin, judgement and frailty. Ashes are so much more. They are also the ancient symbol of cleansing and renewal. In Lent, we recognize both of those elements. We are sinful, but we are also forgiven through God’s grace in Christ. We hold these two, sin and grace, in tension as we make the journey through Lent to the good news of Easter. Join us again this year as we make the journey together.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
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