Posts Tagged "Lent 2015"

Contemplating Lent

Posted by Pat Stewart on Mar 4, 2015 in My Blog | 1 comment

For Christians around the world the season of lent is upon us.  How shall we approach the cross?  With Lent being the 40 days leading up to Easter, this is a season of discovery or, perhaps,  rediscovery of who God is and who each of us is to Him.  It is a season of sadness and sorrow that in the end becomes a “bright sadness.”  For me, Holy Week, itself, has a somber tone with the awareness of Christ praying in the garden, the disciples gathering in a private room for their final meal together….the Last Supper. The Holy Communion they shared.  The bread…His body broken for us; the wine, His blood shed for each of us.  The parting words, so carefully chosen as the New Commandment…”love one another as I have loved you.” Christ knew he was to be killed and would be leaving His disciples so when I contemplate His choice of message to leave them with for all Christians on earth, it is just so divinely ordained.  It was the New Commandment and it is for all times.  Just as important, just as critical now as then…”love one another as I have loved you.” So how are we doing down here on this earth that grows more crowded every minute…more hostile and more secular as we breathe the day’s breaths in and out?  So how are we doing with the New Commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.” Palm Sunday starts off our Christian Holy Week.  Our custom has been to attend our Maundy Thursday service and leave in silence reflecting on the crucifixion and suffering of Christ for us and our salvation.  Then, Good Friday services arrive setting the tone of the act of the crucifixion and beginning the three days until Christ rises from the dead in all glory. He is Risen…He is Risen, indeed!!  The “Bright Sadness” has arrived! Glory, hallelujah! Easter has...