A Lenten Journey Refelections on Ash Wednesday and Lent

A Lenten Journey

Today begins the Forty Day season of Lent. In most mainline churches the day is marked with worship, prayer and the placing of ashes on the forehead as a reminder that from dust we came and to dust we shall return. It is a time of committing ourselves to various spiritual disciplines to prepare ourselves for Easter.

For many in our churches it is a time when people choose to abstain from actions and behaviors that are habitual or addictive; like eating chocolate or drinking soda or swearing off potato chips or other unhealthy foods. For others it is a time of reflection on life as we live it in the world, finding a path through wilderness of our daily lives to a richer, more abundant life. For others it is a time to risk leaving the comfortable, safe places to follow Jesus toward the realm of God, to a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey. But most importantly it is a time to recommit ourselves to the call placed before us to follow Christ into the world.

In his book, “Alice in Wonderland,” Lewis Carroll wrote about Alice meeting the Cheshire Cat. Alice was at a crossroads when she the saw the Cheshire Cat in a tree. Alice asked the Cat which road to take. The Cat asked her where she was going. Alice replied she was going in no direction in particular. The Cat replied, “In that case any road will do.” Unlike the Cheshire Cat, we believe the roads we take matter. If you take the wrong road you may find yourself in the dark woods far from home. You might find yourself lost in a wilderness with no path leading out. If you take the right path, however you will find Jesus Christ and those who followed him walking beside you and pointing you toward a glorious home not built with human hands, but an eternal home in the realm of God.

As we move from winter into spring, from the ashes of repentance to the joy of resurrection, we are called to listen for the word of God, to reflect on our life, and to find God’s call within us. I hope this Lenten season will be a journey of the heart that will bring you into the presence of the living Christ. May the journey you begin today lead you to the Garden on Easter morning where you will experience and celebrate the Risen Christ in a richer and fuller way.

Our Theme for This Lenten Season as a Church here at Wilson Memorial will be “Celebrate the Risen Christ.” Each week we will hear stories and songs that lead us to the Cross and beyond to the Empty tomb.

• Our First Week theme will be “Trust in God”
• The Second Week theme will be “Expect the Promise to be Fulfilled.”
• The Third Week theme will be “Repent and Believe.”
• The Fourth Week theme will be “Be Reconciled the God”
• The Fifth Week theme will be “Worship the Lord”
• The Sixth Week theme will be Celebrate and Mourn”
• The Seventh Week theme will be “Celebrate the Risen Christ.”

Come join us on the Journey.