The season of Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and self-examination in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord at Easter. It is a period of 40 days — like the flood of Genesis, Moses’ sojourn at Mount Sinai, Elijah’s journey to Mount Horeb, Jonah’s call to Ninevah to repent and Jesus’ time of testing in the wilderness. (The Sundays in Lent are not counted in this counting of the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter, as every Lord’s Day is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.)
For Catholics and many Protestant Christians, this season begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year is Feb. 17. You can check out local churches to see if they are holding a service. The Mountain Lakes Presbyterian Church is holding a 30-minute service at 12:15 p.m. to allow people to swing in on their lunch break.
We remember that we are made of dust and will return to dust with the symbol of the cross smudged in ash upon the forehead. At first, this can seem a bit macabre or morbid but many Christians who participate in this spiritual discipline find it a comfort. The practice reminds us that, though we are mortal, we are intimately connected to God, to one another and to the whole of creation. The smudge of ashes is made from the burnt remnants of dried palm branches mixed with oil for anointing. We dwell in the reality that all life is infused with death, which in turn is infused with new life, hope, and resurrection. An ending is also a beginning.
This year, our congregation invites the whole community to celebrate this 40-day Lenten journey. Starting on Ash Wednesday - and then each Sunday following up to Easter - there will be a basket outside the front of the church with small purple bags, each labeled with a tag to describe the contents and their significance for the season. Some of the items are more devotional, others will stir your creativity.
While we can’t all gather together, we can journey together through this season. As you engage with the contents each week, you can even post pictures of your creations on our Facebook page.
Mountain Lakes Presbyterian Church is located at 3292 Highway 83, Seeley Lake. For more information visit https://mountainlakespreschurch.us/ or call 406-677-3575
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