Lenten Pastor's Ponderings
Lent comes very early this year. Ash Wednesday is the first Wednesday of February, the 6th. As we begin our Lenten journey, we will not be tested so much by worldly temptations, other than wanting to take a trip to a warmer clime, our endurance to winter and cold weather will be our test during this time of Lent. Is that so bad? This time of winter does give us time to be introspective, to contemplate our journey as a disciple of Jesus. What does it mean for us to be a disciple? How do we respond to the love of God, and to all that Jesus teaches us?
During Epiphany, Jesus calls us to repent, to change our ways, to change our mind, to turn from what takes us away from God and to turn to God and obey God. It isn’t easy, it is a hard path to follow. Where Jesus leads may be scary at times, boring at times; it actually may resemble life as we know it. God does not expect perfection, God knows our limitations, our short comings; yet God will continue to be with us always. God will continue to offer us help, guidance, and consolation when we are frustrated, succumb to temptation, or when we are hurt by others in our effort to obey God.
We currently are taking our Sunday Gospel lessons from the book of Matthew. The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes righteousness; Jesus calls us to righteousness; righteousness is obeying God. Lent gives us this opportunity to contemplate what it means to walk in righteousness with Christ. We are given the opportunity to explore, investigate and discern how we can live righteous lives, how we can obey God in our life. Just as Jesus was tested/tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, we to are tested/tempted. In our case it does not last 40 days but a lifetime. But we are not evaluated/judged upon this test of life. Christ invites us to live life fully. We do not have to do anything to merit God’s grace. Jesus will continue to guide us, bring us back and light our way on the path of righteousness. Jesus gives us the freedom to fully live a life of righteousness, a life lived in joy, loving and obeying God.
The most important thing to remember about our Lenten journey is that we do not engage it alone. We come together as a community to walk with Jesus. We each have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Are we sensitive and aware of Christ’s presence in our lives as we listen and are guided by the Holy Spirit? Do not be surprised if you find the Holy Spirit speaking to you from another person on this journey. God works in wondrous ways his works to perform. Lent gives us the chance to be a witness to these works of the Holy Spirit. Lent give us the chance to contemplate our walk with Jesus. Lent give us the chance to be a witness for others of what God can do when we turn and obey God and engage our journey with Christ. Happy trails to you on our Lenten journey.
Pastor Robert
During Epiphany, Jesus calls us to repent, to change our ways, to change our mind, to turn from what takes us away from God and to turn to God and obey God. It isn’t easy, it is a hard path to follow. Where Jesus leads may be scary at times, boring at times; it actually may resemble life as we know it. God does not expect perfection, God knows our limitations, our short comings; yet God will continue to be with us always. God will continue to offer us help, guidance, and consolation when we are frustrated, succumb to temptation, or when we are hurt by others in our effort to obey God.
We currently are taking our Sunday Gospel lessons from the book of Matthew. The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes righteousness; Jesus calls us to righteousness; righteousness is obeying God. Lent gives us this opportunity to contemplate what it means to walk in righteousness with Christ. We are given the opportunity to explore, investigate and discern how we can live righteous lives, how we can obey God in our life. Just as Jesus was tested/tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, we to are tested/tempted. In our case it does not last 40 days but a lifetime. But we are not evaluated/judged upon this test of life. Christ invites us to live life fully. We do not have to do anything to merit God’s grace. Jesus will continue to guide us, bring us back and light our way on the path of righteousness. Jesus gives us the freedom to fully live a life of righteousness, a life lived in joy, loving and obeying God.
The most important thing to remember about our Lenten journey is that we do not engage it alone. We come together as a community to walk with Jesus. We each have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Are we sensitive and aware of Christ’s presence in our lives as we listen and are guided by the Holy Spirit? Do not be surprised if you find the Holy Spirit speaking to you from another person on this journey. God works in wondrous ways his works to perform. Lent gives us the chance to be a witness to these works of the Holy Spirit. Lent give us the chance to contemplate our walk with Jesus. Lent give us the chance to be a witness for others of what God can do when we turn and obey God and engage our journey with Christ. Happy trails to you on our Lenten journey.
Pastor Robert
posted by RevLev at 9:34 PM
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