The season of Lent is here! Lent is the forty day period before Easter beginning with Ash Wednesday (February 26) and ending with the preparations for Easter during Holy Week (April 6-10). It is traditionally a time of introspection when we as followers of Jesus take a look at ourselves and evaluate how we are growing in our discipleship. Some people like to give something up for Lent while others take on a new habit. All of these opportunities encourage us to remember our own humanity and propensity for messing up, but also to remember God’s transforming grace for us as we grow in relationship with God.
Growing in relationship means that we have to take risks. I remember in ninth grade, there was a girl a year older than I whom I was just starting to get to know. She was on the track team with me and we were beginning to become friends. It seemed out of the blue to me, but one day she asked if I wanted to come with her and her family for a week at the beach in the summer. At the time I wasn’t sure I knew her that well. What would a whole week with just her and her family be like? I’m sure she felt the same way about inviting me. Would I say yes, or make up some excuse not to go? It was risky.
I said yes, thankfully, and was able to go and from that week on, she became my best friend and is still one of my best friends today. But we had to commit to the time and the risk of learning more about each other and investing in our relationship. I think that’s true with our relationship and growing as a disciple – one who follows Jesus as well.
Thankfully, for us, Jesus leads the way in demonstrating taking risks and walking closer to God. For the next six weeks we will be following the last week of Jesus’ life day-by-day. Jesus risked his reputation when he entered Jerusalem in a victory parade. He risked his life when he dared to teach in the Temple. His followers risked everything when they left behind their homes, or anointed him with costly perfume. We take risks as we read and re-read these stories, finding new meanings and new challenges.
In Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week, author, professor and biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine explores the biblical texts surrounding the Passion story. She shows us how the text raises ethical and spiritual questions for the reader, and how we all face risk in our Christian experience as we seek a closer walk with God. We will be talking about these questions during our Bible Study on Thursdays and covering the larger question of WHY Jesus was willing to take these risks during preaching in Sunday’s worship.
Please join us as we journey together during this season of Lent. As we prepare for Easter and the celebration of resurrection, we might be challenged in our own walk of faith, but we know we are not alone in our challenges. Jesus has walked this road before us and the community of faith will walk it with us today.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and sharing this season with you.
Blessings and Peace,
Katherine