Sunday morning retuning: Pastor Myron and Sharon shared
details and the impetus for their recent Pastoral Care trip to three of our
international worker/missionary families.
While I appreciated the colorful stories and the glimpse into those
lives, what really struck me was the Scripture.
May “increasing and overflowing love” mark our lives.
We are entering a particularly religious period of the year
beginning tomorrow. I use the word
religious carefully there, mind you. Many
are enjoying today as much as they can because they intend on entering into a
season of self-denial tomorrow. Thus the
folks in New Orleans
In short, it is the season of the Church Year beginning on Ash
Wednesday and continuing through Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. For many this is a season of self-denial,
prayer, fasting and giving as we prepare for Easter by going through a period
of mourning and reflection on the nature of Christ’s sacrifice. I encourage you to make some preparations for
Easter as well even if giving up red meat is not one of them.
This is a good idea.
Welcoming into the regular cycle of life, something that disturbs or
interrupts our habits, the mindless minutia.
Taking some things away to make room for remembrance. But more so than giving something up, which
may be necessary, I want to encourage you to shift your focus, to refocus on
Christ in these days.
Like the ashes, sometimes from the burned remains of last years
Palm Sunday branches, which will mark the foreheads of many worshippers
tomorrow, may our lives be marked by a careful remembering of the passion of
the Christ. And what will be that mark,
that distinctive characteristic in your life?
I am praying mine will be love.
A few years ago, I came across a simple prayer that pops up as a
note when I look at the task “Preparing for My Day” on my calendar. I do not look at it regularly, but when I do
it reminds me of this the
greatest commandment which Jesus taught.
I do not pray it religiously either, but maybe that could help.
God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure
that I spend time loving You and loving other people--because that's what life
is all about. I don't want to waste this
day.
That is my prayer on this Fat Tuesday, this day of indulgences, to
be more loving. I have a feeling I will
be even more thankful for His sacrifice that ever if I am able to maintain this
focus. I know I need a lot of help. How will you observe Lent?
Jesus, help me to soberly reflect on how to best prepare
for Easter. I will begin today. In
Jesus’ name. Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
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