The Kingdom that begins with Lent leads us to blessing. There is the call to turn—repent!—which is Lent. There then comes a pronouncement: “Blessed!” Consider how stunning this is. When Jesus begins to teach about the Kingdom of God, the first word is “Blessed!” This is not what we expected, not from God almighty in …
Tag Archives: Lent
Why and How Jesus’ Kingdom Requires “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 …
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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 …
For Palm Sunday
Loving Lord God, We welcome you this coronation week, for you are the Lord, The Maker of Heaven and earth, the Lord enthroned above the heavens, approaching our world to reclaim it and us as your co-regents, hand-crafted, in-breathed, then regally commissioned! We welcome you, our only Loving Lord, strong and mighty, Laying …