Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season in the Western Church. This is a period of fasting, giving and prayer and you can find a brief summary here. Being raised in the Southern Baptist tribe of evangelical Christianity, Lent was never on my radar. Having grown in my understanding of other traditions in Christianity, I appreciate the tradition even though I’m not a strict observer of it. This might be due to my birthday being in the big fat middle of it and so I usually don’t give up anything. The exception was last year, when I gave up Lent for Lent.
But that was last year…This year, no plans to give up red meat, cigars or Facebook….Instead, I will attempt to look at the various New Testament passages that speak to Christian community, the ‘one another’ verses. This is my intent, not a promise. I say this primarily because stuff happens and I might miss a day. Barring grave illness or unforeseen disaster, I’ll make the attempt. Grace and peace to you during the coming 40 days and here’s to seeing one another come Easter.
