According to an Internet source, Lent is the period of fasting leading up to the feast of Easter, recalling Jesus' 40 days of fast in the wilderness.Many Christians throughout the world observe Lent. Catholic, Orthodox and many Protestants look forward to this annual time of sacrifice and simplicity. For non-Christians, Lent can be a bit of a mystery. Many Christians, even those whose churches do not celebrate Lent officially, find they are attracted to Lent.
The season of Lent started here in Cut Knife at the Catholic Church on March 23. Rev. Linda Emberley of the United Church in Cut Knife led us, with a very touching message, into Lent. Shetold usthat Lent came from the Old English word for spring and originally referred to the lengthening of days in springtime.During Lent, we acknowledge thatwe are God's stewards and, as such, have a role to play in the present and future history of our world.As spring season is the re-awakening of nature's beauty and growth, so Lent is a time for spiritual renewal and recommitment.
Lent is the season that belongs to Christians alone.We share our major holidays of Christmas and Easter with much of the rest of the world, but they have been perverted by materialism and secular interests.Even Advent, which is a time of waiting, has been changed into a shopping season. But Lent is the only season that the world has left alone, and understandably so. Who wants to celebrate the season of fasting and repentance? Since "celebrate" is not quite the right word, we can say more truthfully that Lent is the season when we observe, meditate and contemplate our own hearts and our relationship with God.
Linda readto us from the Book of Mark, verses 9 to 15, where the Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness and where the forces of evil tested His every resolve and purpose.
Linda made the journey of Jesus very easy for us to understand. We divide the world of the Spirit in the high moments, the good moments, God given, and the wilderness experiences, the times when we are alone, surrounded by dangers and temptations, and we see those as times that are not God given. But reading from the gospel of Mark reminds us that such a division is not necessary - the wilderness experiencecan bejust as much a part of God's plan for our lives as the other, more obviously blessed experiences. Like Jesus, we are getting tested in all aspects of our lives, and it is up to us to make the best of our lives, likea man writing his worries in the sand and letting the ocean waves wash them away or, in other words, letting God take all our worries and sorting them out.
Lent is an admission of our deep hunger to be reconnected to God. It isthe beginning again of walking with God, even if it is through a wilderness.The forty days of Lent can be for us a kind of wilderness experience in which we can gain the blessing from the Spirit of God even when we are being tested.
Linda ended her very touching message withthese appropriate final words: Lent is a time when I asked God for strength that I might achieve,I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of others; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for - but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I was among all people, most richly blessed.
The next service will be on April 6, at the United Church in Cut Knife at noon.
