Lent. From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Christians mark a six-week season meant to focus on God’s presence in our world and our lives. It’s a time when churches typically offer special services and devotional practices. Among other things, Lent is a time for prayer. Prayer is a confusing thing… Read More »Praying as Jesus Taught
It’s a difficult topic. Most people prefer avoiding it entirely. But for those of us who are Christian, we’re at the time of year when it’s a topic that’s difficult to avoid. Suffering. During the traditional forty-day season of Lent, Christians are asked to reflect on the suffering of Jesus… Read More »Lent: Pain, Suffering, and the Cross
Lent is just not the same this year. Many people value the practice of receiving ashes on their foreheads. In past years in urban areas, clergy have stood on street corners offering ashes-to-go to anyone who wanted them. This year, many churches have no services or are open for limited… Read More »Three Spiritual Practices for Lent during the Pandemic
Many churches will not have services this week. In the case of churches continuing to hold services, many people will opt not to attend for health concerns. As a way to support the spiritual journey of Christians during this Lenten Season, for the remaining Sundays of Lent, I will post… Read More »Reflections on the Story of the Man Blind from Birth
The questions begin as people look for ideas…or perhaps inspiration and support. “What are you giving up for Lent?” Candy, alcohol, time on social media, yelling at reckless drivers: the list goes on and on. We’ve come to associate the six weeks before Easter that is known among Christians as… Read More »Lent and Giving Up
Extravagance: that’s not something we usually associate with Lent. Yet, extravagance is key to understanding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. To be extravagant, to be lavish, to be imprudent, to be over the top and do something no one else would do — yes, these are all key… Read More »The Extravagance of Lent
It’s an ancient tradition. Over the last 1500 years or so, Christians have observed a period of prayer and fasting prior to Easter. In time, a forty-day period (Sundays aren’t included because Sundays are a memorial of Easter) emerged within the Christian tradition and came to be called Lent. The… Read More »Lent and the God of Jesus
Springtime is drawing near in the northern hemisphere. Days are becoming longer as sunlight continues into the evening. Snow and ice have begun to melt off in many regions. The first flowers poke out of the ground while tree limbs swell and buds begin to appear. There’s a sense of… Read More »Renewed in Spring