The early Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration, there should be a forty–day season of spiritual preparation. During this season, converts to the faith prepared for Holy Baptism.
It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins and had separated themselves from the community of faith were reconciled by repentance and forgiveness and restored to participation in the life of the Church. In this way, the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need to renew our faith.
We invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ's Church, to observe a holy Lent by self–examination and repentance, by prayer and fasting, and by reading and meditating on God's Holy Word.
Scriptures for Lenten Meditation
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6
Matthew 6:16-21
Romans 5:12-19
John 3: 1-17
A Prayer of Ashes
Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Repent, and believe the gospel. Amen.
A World So Loved
We think we are in this world to wait
To wait for another world
A better world
A more just world
And so on we go, waiting
Only to realize that
This world already exists
It has already been gifted
We, however, view it as from below
Imagine what it would look like from above
Get up and do not be afraid
Lift your eyes and your imaginations
Go from your here
To a there not yet even dreamed
Stop waiting and start acting as
Those who live in a world so loved.
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