|
Lent
March 1, 2009
Dear Friends,
In a “True or False” Quiz which would you answer to the statement: “Lent is not a Biblical Festival” If you opted for “True” saying that Lent is not a Biblical Festival, you would be correct that the Bible does not tell us what Lent is or that we should observe it as part of our Christian Pilgrimage. In fact, the word Lent comes from the Old English word Lengten, meaning Spring when the days are Lengthening out and it was not until the Fourth century that the Christian Church decided to keep this as a special time to prepare for Easter, beginning with the remembrance of Jesus spending forty days I the wilderness being tempted by the devil. Therefore, it is a very artificial period of time but useful to help us in our thinking through the ministry of Jesus and towards the events of His death and Resurrection.
However, if you had opted for “False” and said that Lent was a Biblical Festival, there would be some truth in that option. The truth is that Lent focuses us directly on the life of Jesus and how the Gospels record all that He did for us.
Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 25th, and is a time to call us to reflect on our lives and repent of our wrongs. Some people use Lent as a time for self discipline, such as fasting or giving up a certain item of food or luxury (television, make-up etc) and sometimes giving the money they would have used for these things to charity. Another form of self-discipline is to take on an extra act of devotion, such as reading one of the many “Lent Daily Reflection Books, or joining a Study Group. This year there are Lent Groups organized by Churches Together in Sevenoaks and District (see Rosemary Cracknell). You could also join our Catholic Friends at Holy Trinity who observe the “Stations of the Cross” every Thursday in Lent at 8.00pm or our Anglican Friends at St Bartholomew’s who are meeting in their Church Centre on Tuesdays at 8.00pm to focus on Pilgrimage through the stories of local people.
Within five minutes of finishing the above letter there came into my e-mail box two different opportunities for reflection throughout Lent, firstly about “Still Time” to give time for ourselves and others and God in this season and secondly to follow in the footsteps of Jesus with filming of Holy Land sites. The e-mail reminded me that in our technological age there are many ways to mark Lent, so I have copied the details below so that you can sign up to receive daily reflection e-mails each day in Lent. If you do not have e-mail facilities it may be possible to link up with someone who does.
STILL TIME
Ever feel that there simply aren't enough hours in the day? How many would you like ? more or less?
The Methodist Church is challenging people to spend a small amount of time making a big difference to the way they live their lives with its Still Time Lent campaign.
The campaign is supported by a website http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.content&cmid=2566 where people can sign up to receive daily email reflections and challenges from five different contributors.
Each day of the week will have a different focus, with 'time for you' on Mondays, followed by 'time for others', 'time for God', 'time to share' and finishing the week with 'time to act'.
"Still Time is a challenge to all who have given up, feel rushed off their feet, or think it's simply too late to do things differently," said one of the contributors, The Revd Dr Mark Wakelin, secretary for internal relationships for the Methodist Church Connexional Team. "Still Time is about making time that gives us 'eternity in our hearts'. There's still time for others, for ourselves, for God ? still time to make a difference in the world and begin to discover the people we were always meant to be."
JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
During Lent go beyond hearing about the people in the Holy Land and hear from them instead.
Every day through Lent Christian Aid's virtual pilgrimage will take you on an interactive journey. Using short videos, podcasts, photo galleries, prayers and stories it will bring the Holy Land alive.
The route takes in many of the locations mentioned as part of Jesus' journey towards Jerusalem. And along the way you will be able to find out more about issues, connect with other users, share your views and take part in actions that will help change lives.
To join the journey, go to http://www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/lent/journey-to-jerusalem.aspx
I’m not sure if it sounds right to wish you a “Happy Lent” but certainly I wish you a fruitful one and pray that all of us may use the opportunity in some way to reflect on our own lives and to focus on the life of Jesus.
With warmest Christian Greetings
God Bless you,
Kath
|
|
|
