The Beginning of Lent

This week we begin the church season of Lent. Lent is the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter, the holiest day of the year that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of the solemnity and contemplative nature of Lent, Christians often give something up for Lent. However, Scripture itself does not require this, but if a Christian wants to give something up for Lent as a way of remembering and personalising the great sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for our sins, then that Christian is certainly free to do so. Martin Luther wanted to retain Lenten observation for this same reason. The word “alleluia” which is a joyful exclamation, is normally taken out of the liturgy during this period. In the Lutheran church, much emphasis is given to scripture and liturgy during the Lenten season. Acts of grace, such as helping the elderly are also encouraged. Historically, this time in the churchʼs calendar was an appropriate time for baptism because of the relationship between Christʼs death and resurrection and our own in Holy Baptism. Paul discusses this in Romans 6:1-11. So, the season of Lent is important not only as a time to contemplate the suffering that Christ endured on our behalf, but also serves as an opportunity to reflect upon our own baptism and what it means to live as a child of God.
Pastor Darryl