Lenten Journey

Lent begins a 40 day journey with Jesus to his Passion: his trial, scourging, cross and tomb. It starts with Ash Wednesday. It ends with the Saturday Easter Vigil where Jesus takes his Sabbath rest in the tomb. The Sundays in Lent do not count, because they are little resurrections along the journey, days of refreshment in this penitential season.

During Lent we deny ourselves pleasures. In our liturgical service we omit the alleluias and the Gloria, a somber remembrance of Jesus’ suffering.   We do this not to earn any favor before God. We deny ourselves some pleasures during lent to deepen our devotion in the remembrance of what Jesus went through for all people. Not eating chocolate or drinking soda pop or even fasting on a certain day cannot compare with the suffering of Jesus but it can be good for your Lenten devotion. In my Lutheran tradition, denying yourself during Lent is completely up to your Christian liberty. Deny yourself or enjoy, it is up to you. No law about Lenten denial here. 

No one likes to suffer or to remember suffering. In this world where people seek constant gratification the thought of 40 days of Lent, makes many cringe. Yet we live in a harsh and sinful world, where suffering and death are always before us. Lent gives hope to our suffering and life in death. Lent makes the joy of Easter resurrection all the more refreshing because Jesus suffered all not for himself but for you!