For the First Sunday in Lent

Loving Lord, Because You have kept your word and not forgotten us, And at the right time came to us, manifesting your glory, Revealing the Kingdom of our God and Father, by saying: “The time has come to repent, for the Kingdom is upon us,” We turn to You and draw near.   We confess …

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 …

FOR ASH WEDNESDAY

Shall the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness, O God?   Children of dust—scooped up, fashioned, inbreathed, enlivened, Cherished and wooed, drawn near, tasting and seeing the One who Is good, tasting and knowing joy unspeakable and full of glory.   Surely the dust praised you and declared your faithfulness, O God!   Then, …

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 …