The First Word of The Cross:
"Father Forgive Them They Don't Know What They Doing"
It's Lent again. This seems to be a season nobody likes. It is not infrequent that I even have people ask me why we have to go through this season. A season that begins with the statement, "Remember mortal that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" and ends with a cross surely can't be anyone's favortie season. Still there is something to be said for a period in which we reflect on sin and death. On sin because it is our common lot. We all go astray in minor, and somtimes major ways. Our reflection on our own dysfunctional relationships to God, life, and others, are not intended to make us feel bad about ourselves. These reflections are to remind us that we can be better and more loving. We do this by letting our life's challenges turn us back to God for the gift or grace. We reflect on death not to be morbid, but realize we only have a certain amount of time to do what is most important in life, to receive and share that grace and love God has given us.
The first word of the cross is a reminder that we come to Lent this year as a return to grace. Even from the cross our Lord Jesus receives and forgives us. In his dying moments he forgives those who committ the most brutal torture ever devised by the human race. He also forgave us our failures. Lent is not a morbid time, but a time to reflect on how we use the time God has given us. Let it be a return to Jesus and his grace this year.
In Lenten Peace,
Jim Stahr
"Father Forgive Them They Don't Know What They Doing"
It's Lent again. This seems to be a season nobody likes. It is not infrequent that I even have people ask me why we have to go through this season. A season that begins with the statement, "Remember mortal that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" and ends with a cross surely can't be anyone's favortie season. Still there is something to be said for a period in which we reflect on sin and death. On sin because it is our common lot. We all go astray in minor, and somtimes major ways. Our reflection on our own dysfunctional relationships to God, life, and others, are not intended to make us feel bad about ourselves. These reflections are to remind us that we can be better and more loving. We do this by letting our life's challenges turn us back to God for the gift or grace. We reflect on death not to be morbid, but realize we only have a certain amount of time to do what is most important in life, to receive and share that grace and love God has given us.
The first word of the cross is a reminder that we come to Lent this year as a return to grace. Even from the cross our Lord Jesus receives and forgives us. In his dying moments he forgives those who committ the most brutal torture ever devised by the human race. He also forgave us our failures. Lent is not a morbid time, but a time to reflect on how we use the time God has given us. Let it be a return to Jesus and his grace this year.
In Lenten Peace,
Jim Stahr
posted by Theoblogger at
6:26 PM
