A Note from Pastor (March 2025)

   Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Around the world many Christians are already planning what they want to give up during the “forty days” leading up to Easter. For good reason Lent is considered the most “penitential” season of the church year. St. Paul wrote, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).”  Even the words used to impose the ashes, from the curse placed upon Adam, that “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” remind us, “The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).”  
    While it is not bad to think about giving up the extra Starbucks, throwing a little more in the offering and avoiding the TV-MA rated shows on Netflix, it may be better to think about what we should not have been doing the other 325 days of the year.  Rather, in humble repentance, Lent is not so much about what we are going to “give up” for Jesus, but more about hearing what Jesus gave up for us so that we might love our neighbor and live eternally with Him in the forgiveness of our sins.
    Because, rather than giving up chocolate, or too much YouTube, Lent helps us remember what we need from our Lord; the very thing that is marked upon our forehead with ashes. Marked with the sign of His sacrifice, the cross, we are reminded where Jesus died to forgive the sins of the whole world. Lent helps us realize we must all turn from our sin and return to our Baptism to walk in newness of life every day and not just for forty days.  As St. Paul wonderfully concludes Romans 6:23, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Thanks be to God for this time of the church year to remember His abundant mercy and grace toward us!