Daily reflection for the Season of Lent

Saturday 27th March 2021

The end is in sight

We are fast approaching the conclusion of the season of the Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday – 17th February. I do hope those of you following these reflections, either on a regular or occasion basis, have found them interesting and helpful in your personal devotions as we journey through the current pandemic.

There is also an interesting question on when exactly does the season of Lent end? In the Roman Catholic tradition, Lent ends of Maundy Thursday, (1st April) with the evening mass. In other church traditions, Lent ends on Good Friday or on Easter Day.

But what we do know is that Lent is ending. .As Christians, our focus now shifts to Jesus’ final journey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and then to a final meal, a mockery of a trail and his execution.


Bible Reading

Luke 19: 28-44   

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Reflection

How do you feel about Lent this year?
Has it been made harder by the lockdown, or has the extra space and time given you greater freedom and flexibility in your devotional life?
Also, be aware of this. Before we can celebrate Easter morning and Jesus’ overthrow of the powers of darkness and defeat of our greatest enemy – death - Jesus must suffer. He must bear the burden of humanities sin upon his shoulders and breath his last in excruciating agony

Prayer

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but for the sins of the whole world.' (1 John 2:2)
For your love which breathed this world into being, and daily sustains it
For your love which granted humanity free will and choice
For your love which never fails as we do, but stretches to eternity
For your love, sacrificed upon a cross for our sake
For your love which rose triumphant from the grave and lives within us
For your love which encircles us as we meet together in your presence
For your love which extends to all mankind
We spend a moment or two in quiet meditation, thinking of the sacrifice of Jesus; pure Love freely given and poured out for our Salvation
(Silence)
And for the challenge of the sacrificial life that Jesus calls us to live
(Silence)
All these things we ask through your glorious name, loving heavenly Father
Amen

Blessing

The God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the eternal covenant,
make you perfect in every good work to do his will,
working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight;
and the blessing of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be with you forevermore
Amen