For
where two or three have met together in my name, I am among them.
Matt.
18:20
The Season of Lent has arrived. Winter, still with us, will wither
as we approach Easter and the onset of spring. And the tradition of
Lent, as it has been for so many generations, is the perfect way to
prepare for the Resurrection of Our Saviour and for the reawakening
of the world around us. The old teacher in me is reminded that
families, peoples, and nations blessed by good traditions have a
considerable advantage over those which do not, for we do not have
to make it up as we go. The traditions of the past have become our
heritage, a part of our lives, and that heritage connotes community,
community with those who have gone before: our parents,
grandparents, church, and with all who have contributed to our
cultural inheritance.
We have set patterns to follow.
- When Christmas comes we buy gifts; send cards; cook roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. We look for the red kettles and listen to and sing carols.
- When folks close to us pass on, we send condolences and attend ceremonies. We tip our hat to ladies and open doors for them.
- Before arthritis, we were quicker to offer our seat in a crowded room or bus.
- We say yes or no, Ma'am or Sir.
- We obey laws even when no police are present.
We do those things because we just know they are the right things to
do. Gramma used to say It just isn’t done, don’t you know!
- We learned not to kiss on the first date.
- When folks marry, we attend the showers and send a gift and perhaps attend the wedding.
- We teach our children that police and firemen are our friends and that teachers are to be obeyed.
We are a community. We are the stronger for being so.
Most importantly, as we have done so now, we begin our practice of
observing the ancient traditions of Lent, that season whereby we seek
to prepare ourselves for the coming of Holy Week and Easter Sunday.
We are urged to a greater awareness and practice of prayer, penance,
repentance, alms-giving, atonement and self-denial. I will not
attempt definitions of these excellent practices. They are well
known to all reading this.
I will say that when we practice these traditions to the best of our
abilities, we will be doing so with many fellow Christians. In a
real sense, we will be meeting together in His name. We will be a
community and He will definitely be among us. And we will be the
stronger for being so.
Almighty
and eternal God, So draw our hearts to Thee, so guide our minds, so
fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly
Thine, utterly dedicated unto Thee; and then use us, we pray Thee, as
Thou wilt, and always to Thy glory and the welfare of Thy people;
through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
Mary Kay and Paul Sparre
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