What should Lent be?

Sometimes we ask ourselves during Lent, "How should I feel during Lent? Should Lent be solemn and contemplative? Should it be a time of shamefulness for our sins? Am I supposed to feel embarrassed and despondant because of the sins I have committed and the way I have not loved God as I should?" The answer to these is actually no!

Lent should be a time of self-evaluation and of self-denial but it shouldn't be a time of negativity or gloom. Lent is meant to help us realize the gifts God has given us and the blessings we have in this life. We use Lent to recognize our sinfulness but not as and end in itself. Rather our recognizing our sinfulness give us the opportunity to truly appreciate the salvation God has given us through His Son. Lent should lead us to seeing the beauty of God's creation. It should be a time in which we come to understand that we are children of God. When we embrace that for ourselves and realizes others as those same children of God Lent becomes a time to be renewed and invigorated not drained and depressed.

Monday of the 2nd Week of Lent: Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy and can even be self-destructive. Pray: Lord, help remind me who I really and and that you have forgiven and forgotten even the worst of my sins so I can live as your child.

Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent: We have to balance our recognizing of evil with our knowing we also have salvation. Pray: God, help me to be honest with myself and my sins but also to embrace your salvation and freedom from those save sins.

Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Lent: Trusting in God leads us to walk toward the light and not to linger in the darkness and gloom of sin. Pray: Lord Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth and the Light. Help me to trust in your love and to follow you into the light of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 07:01 | link | comments |
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