WHY I NEED LENT

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This urgent invitation of Jesus is the focus of Lent, and the reason I confess my need of it. I need Lent. That time of year when the mind’s eye and the heart’s …

LENTEN LAMENTATION

At the end of this week followers of Jesus will bring to completion their Lenten observance.  They will have named and denied their self-life, shouldered the weight of costly self-sacrifice with Jesus, and come to the Garden and the Cross.  They will remember Jesus’ loud cries and tears at the cup handed him, and then …

WHY I NEED LENT

We are in the season of Lent, made sacred by Jesus’ urgent invitation: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I confess my need of Lent—that time of the year when the mind’s eye and the heart’s ear give acute …

Jesus’ Kingdom Begins with Lent!?

What kind of a kingdom begins with Lent?  Well, a good and godly one.  In fact, the gospel story begins with Jesus announcing the presence of God’s kingdom, and then proposing our proper response in “Lenten terms.”  “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced.  “The kingdom of God is near!  Repent …

Contributing to Dream-Come-True

Three years ago I wrote what appears below, with just minor adjustments given our present circumstances.  Instead of an inauguration three years ago, our nation will witness an impeachment trial in coming days.  Although there seems to be little mystery about the outcome of that trial, will faithful followers of Jesus choose to be agents …