Preparing for Lent

 As we approach Lent, I look forward to our annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. However, as a minister, the season often weighs heavily on me. I feel it is time for me to pray much more, give up some of the comforts in life, and take on more tasks to show the world that I take Lent seriously. It is a time when I should be demonstrating to others that I truly feel the weight of Jesus’ suffering.

Yes, we have often been taught that we should give up chocolate or coffee as an act of piety or suffering.  While this practice served a purpose in the past, it’s time for a revaluation. The Church has shifted its focus from promoting self-denial to positive actions. Yet even this can miss the mark, often adding more to our already busy calendars and unintentionally leading to self-righteousness. Let this not be a time for boasting and bragging. 

So, let’s do something radically different this year.  Instead of focusing on what we should give up, let's focus on the main thing Jesus asked us to do: love our neighbours- including those who despise us- and pursue reconciliation instead of reprisal. As we enter this season of Lent, let’s commit to justice and peace. Let’s dedicate ourselves to standing in solidarity with the oppressed, practicing radical hospitality, and reaching out with love to marginalized or overlooked people.

In a world that values power and control, Jesus calls us to embrace the transformative nature of love. Let’s not focus on self-denial for personal gain but rather on dedicating ourselves to the work of healing and restoration. This Lent, ask yourself: How can I follow Jesus’ radical vision today? How can I bring love, justice, and peace to a broken world?

Let’s move beyond superficial acts of sacrifice and embrace a deeper commitment to creating a world filled with love, justice, and peace. Let’s transform this season, not just for ourselves but for the world around us.

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