As we approach Ash Wednesday, we ponder the ways we have not been faithful to God and we enter into the 40 days of Lent with deeper prayer and reflection so we can move closer to God.
To send a photo and text reflection to communications, go to https://nccumc.org/news/2017/02/2017-lenten-reflections-generosity/ and complete the form.
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Today is Mardi Gras, the last day before the season of Lent begins. Fat Tuesday, the day in which feasting occurs and the leftovers are eaten so that we might begin the Lenten fast tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the day in which we feel ashes placed on our foreheads. We remember that we come from dust and we return to dust. We repent of the ways in which we have been less than faithful to God, and we turn toward God in new ways. During these 40 days of Lent, may you be blessed anew by the Holy Spirit as you take on added works of holiness, as you read the Bible with others, as you pray even more, as you perhaps deny yourself in some way so that you will be conscious day by day of the way that Jesus denied Himself for us.
Beginning tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, you will receive daily an image for reflection. Forty images will help each of us celebrate the great generosity of God in our lives. You are invited to send an image with a meditative thought to the office of Communications. These images will be a new way of centering ourselves at the beginning of each day and of living toward God. In days long ago, the 40 days of Lent were set aside for the preparation of those who would be baptized on Easter. Indeed these days of Lent are days of preparation for each of us to live renewed and holy lives to God.
May these 40 days of Lent be a blessed time in your life as you draw near to Christ, who saves us with overwhelming generous and abundant love.