Lent is the forty days, not counting Sundays, between Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. It represents the time Jesus spent in the desert after he was baptized. He fasted and prayed during these days as he was getting ready for his public ministry.
In the church, Lent has become the time of preparation for us as well. We are invited to fast, do justice to our selves; give alms, do justice for others; and do penance, do justice to God.
If you are intentional about these traditional disciplines of the church you might consider a fast as an opportunity to eliminate or reduce something in your life that is bad for you. If you do not want to give something up you might take on a new habit or increase your prayer life.
To give alms might be to contribute to an offering at church, volunteer your time at an agency, or increase your OCWM giving to the church.
For penance you might need a focus point for prayer. I have asked each one in this church to pray for growth as God wills it for St. John. You might consider one of the collective sins of society and concentrate on overcoming that injustice in a way appropriate for you.
Lent is a special time of the church year when we prepare for our ministry in the world. It is my hope that our midweek services are a helpful part of your Lenten discipline.
