Lenten Reading for February 22

We are not making this journey of renewal alone, and this is important to remember. Did you ever think about the fact that when Jesus taught us the “Lord’s Prayer” he instructed us to use the word us rather than me?

We are not making this journey of renewal alone, and this is important to remember. When people profess their faith in Christ and take the vows of membership, the whole congregation responses with these words:

          With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their service to others. We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.

During this season of Lent, we hope to embody the spirit of these words that we have all promised to God and to one another.

For whom are we setting aside this time of daily reflection and prayer? There are different answers we can give to this, all with validity: We do it to honor God. We do it for ourselves, and our own spiritual need to grow. But we also are doing this for the sake of the others to whom we are yoked through the fellowship of this Church. Others are counting on us to be faithful in setting this time apart. Some of these others are living. Some of these others have already died and passed on into heaven. Some have not yet been born.