Ozarkparson's Blog

This month is a momentous time in the life of the Church

It starts out with Ash Wednesday. in 2023 it is February 22nd. This is the day that begins the Lenten season. In Ash Wednesday the worshipers receive ashes on their foreheads in the sign of the Cross. The celebrant then wll say something like “remember you are dust and to dust you shall return”. Traditionally the ashes are the burnt palm brances that accompanied Palm Sunday.

Lent is a 40 day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Saturday. (excepting Sundays which are considered feast days) The word Lent comes from an old English word “Lectin” which means spring. Although Lent can occur in winter (as it is this year), it portends the coming of spring and especially the celebration of the Risen Christ. The 40 days also represent the 40 days that Christ spent in the desert.

The goal of the Lenten season is to come closer to God, to reflect on our Christian life. We sometimes fast or give up something during this period. Many have decided this is a time to give up pleasires such as sweets, alcolol or tv. Giving up something is just one way to observe Lent. Maybe you want to add something to your life such as intentional daily bible study, volunteer at a shelter or intentionally contact friends and neighbors with a note or a phone call. Or you can begin a giving program of your funds your time and your talent..All of these things should be a act of worship and sacrafice not just a good thing to do.

I urge all of you to come to a stronger faith, a more solid relationship with Jesus Christ this season…Maybe a good time to understand the whole of the Christian Calendar and all the Holy days that we observe. I pray that your spiritual life will be enhanced during the next 40 days. Amen.

This entry was posted on February 16, 2023 at 11:12 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.