Lent begins in 3 days.
We gather on Wednesday to be marked with ashes in the shape of a cross on our foreheads as a sign of our Christian identity. We are sinful people who believe in the mercy, love, and redemptive saving power of Jesus Christ. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our 40-day Lenten journey with Jesus. We walk with Him along the path of His Passion and Death toward His Glorious Resurrection at Easter. We devote this time to intentional almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.
This year, I invite everyone to enter the Season with a commitment to do more than observe Lent following a usual plan from the past, then simply returning to our normal routine after Easter. There is still time to join me as we take a new approach to old traditions and really LEAN into LENT. As the book title indicates, this study guides readers to go deeper than the surface level. We will embrace traditional Lenten themes more intently, not merely as bystanders or passersby. We will explore ancient Scripture through a contemporary lens and discern how to more authentically live the Gospel message in our world today.
Think of standing outside a bakery looking in the window. When you lean into the doorway, you smell the delicious baked goods, you hear the voice of the baker, and you see the beauty of the space. When you step inside the shop and walk up to the baker, you see the kindness in his eyes and the joy in his smile, and you taste the love in his creations.
Jesus invites us to lean in His message and step into His mission of sharing His love, mercy, and peace with the world.
Lean into Lent and grow closer to Jesus.
Lean into Prayer and have deeper dialogue with the Lord.
Lean into Fasting and offer more meaningful sacrifice.
Lean into Almsgiving and become truly generous.
Let's pray for each other!
This week, I am entering a new Chapter of my life. I am moving to a new home in a new city. I have felt the Lord leading me to this and I am excited to see what He has in store for my life at this juncture. Leaving my community of more than 30 years, is not an easy step to take. There are many people whom I dearly love and will sincerely miss. It is bittersweet, to say the least. I ask your prayers over me during this transition.
As I have been trusting in God's plan, preparing for this move, and reflecting on the timing of my taking new residence on the first weekend of Lent, I can see that it has all come together in God's perfect timing. I am looking forward to exploring new places and meeting new people while honoring the beauty of the years behind me, and being open to the joy to come in the years ahead of me. In this new phase of life, I will be better equipped to have a more deeply reflective Lenten Season. My calendar will not be full of commitments. I will encounter unfamiliar faces, and experience worship with a pastor whom I have never met. There will be new blessings in expanding my Catholic Faith community and growing into a new Parish Family. Worship at the heart will be the same and familiarity with their customs and traditions will come in time. But, for this Lenten Season, I will be the stranger, the newcomer, the unknown person. My 40 days will be a period of quiet adjustment, unpacking my life, and recommitting myself to the Lord. I am embracing this opportunity to clarify my calling, focus my intentions, and be open to a renewed sense of self through the eyes of Jesus.
I wish you all a most Blessed Lenten Season! Thank you for your prayers and know that I am praying daily for every person who will be leaning into Lent with me!
Watch for more posts as soon as I am settled into my new little spot on the map.
There is still time to get your copy of Lean into Lent - order online @DogwoodPress.com
Or, stop by these local bookstores:
Lemuria Books in Banner Hall, Jackson MS
Impression Books in Flowood MS
Barnes & Noble at Market Street, Flowood MS
Lorelei Books in Downtown Vicksburg MS
Book Mart & Cafe in Starkville MS
Bay Life Gifts at Century Hall, Bay St. Louis
Amen Friend ! Bitter /sweet indeed ! Letting go of the old …. Tried and true and reaching forth for the new ! May this transition be a great blessing for you ! Prayers go with you !