Thursday 26th Feb. – Lent 2009

An article by Drew    No Comments

In Catholic and some Anglican churches the little flax crosses, given out on Palm Sunday, are recollected and burned. The ash is combined with oil and used to mark crosses on the foreheads of the faithful on Ash Wednesday.

Palm Sunday and Ash Wednesday – it’s quite a contrast. Palm Sunday – Jesus’ rock star entry into Jerusalem, a huge crowd of fans cheering, waving greenery. Ash Wednesday – a grim reminder of our mortality, the beginning of Lent and the lead up to Easter when the adulation turned to accusation, when, beaten and betrayed, Jesus was brutally executed.

Victory and failure, joy and depression, pleasure and suffering, light and dark are all part of our lives. Of course we try to maximize the highs and avoid the lows but some sorrow and suffering is unavoidable and actually necessary if we are to deepen and mature.

A little self inflicted discipline during Lent is good practice, building the spiritual muscle we need when we come to face a real crisis. I’m not suggesting we should seek suffering – that would be sick. But accepting the tough times and working through them is so much healthier than trying to escape them with drugs or denial. Joy Cowley points out that processed suffering becomes compost for real growth.

It’s also in the dark times that we really learn to rely on God. As the psalmist said… “Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.” (Psalm 23.)

Just as bitter winter weather and cold shower camping trips help us appreciate the warmth of summer and the comforts of home so journeying through Lent and Good Friday will sharpen our elation when we celebrate Palm and Easter Sundays.

To follow our Lent 2009 journal click here. We will have a new thought available every morning of Lent.