A HOLY LENT

Over the years the observance of Lent has become more and more precious to me. At some point in time, I came to understand this spiritual discipline as an opportunity to spend time with the Lord in a special way. During Lent I have learned to reflect on the point in time during which Jesus turned His face toward Jerusalem knowing that He would end up on the Cross. 

In the liturgical calendar, there are lovely frameworks set out to her on her spiritual journeys. These holy observances begin with Advent, and are followed by the celebration of Christmastide and Epiphany. The next liturgical period is the fast of Lent which is observed during the forty days not including Sundays, including the triumphant joy when Jesus is recognized as Messiah in Jerusalem, His final observance of Passover with His beloved friends, His passion, crucifixion and resurrection. The purpose of periods of fasting have to do with a spiritual discipline connect to repentance and opening our hearts to the Lord in a special atmosphere that can help us to be more open to the Holy Spirit. It's important to understand that within the period of Lent are Sundays, also, of course. But all Sundays are feast days commemorating the joyous day of Jesus' resurrection, so that when we observe a fasting period, each Sunday is exempt from the fast.

There are many ways to fast, and traditionally in the observance of Lent, sometimes people give up chocolate or something else that they like to eat, or some kind of behavior that they don't find helpful or edifying. Fast can also be the total abstinence of anything to eat between dawn and sunset for a certain period of time. Sometimes fast as observed by abstaining from of any kind for several days at a time. However, during lunch when people give up something that they like for the duration, it is reminiscent of what Jesus was giving up by turn his face toward you and approaching the time of his passion, death and resurrection. 

When practicing the spiritual discipline of fasting, I find that when I am tempted to break the fast, I use that impulse to remind me to pray with God's help. And the result is that my mind and heart are able to reject the temptation and be more open to the Lord. As the time of fasting moves on, I have often received an indescribable blessing which is unlike any other spiritual gift I have received during times of prayer or meditation.

When I deliberately spend time with the Lord during Lent, I often find new ways to identify with how Jesus may have felt during that time. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I also reflect on how the people that were closest to Him experienced life and ministry with Him. I have also insights into how the various communities of people and officials the dues encountered viewed Jesus during this part of His life before His resurrection.

Beloved, I would like to invite you to share with me as we move through this time of Lent together. I hope you will, and that we can exchange reflections on any revelations that the Holy Spirit may offer to us.

What do you say? I hope you will join me.

Meanwhile, I pray that you will find blessings in this solemn time. And may the Lord continue to bless and keep you and yours, as always.