Marked with a Cross

Pastors use those words when they mark a cross on the foreheads of newly baptized Christians with oil or water. Soon thereafter, the water evaporates or the oil is wiped away, and the cross is invisible to our eyes, but not to God.

As we begin our Lenten journey, our cross re-appears, briefly, during the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. This time, however, the cross is stained dirty with ash, reminding us of our sins, and of our need for redemption. As we receive the ashen cross, we hear different words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return." Yes, life is short; the moment is fleeting, and all too soon, each of us will be laid to rest as Pastor commits our body to its final resting place with similar words: "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust".

Lent is a time to contemplate death and life. Christ died that we might have life; the perfect man sacrificed for an imperfect world. Ironic, isn't it? The word "Lent" originally meant "Spring", and is understood as a time to reflect on baptism and its basis in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent is, therefore, a time for rebirth and a renewal in preparation for the Easter celebration.

Lent lasts for forty days, not including Sundays, symbolizing the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan in every way. So, if you really want to experience LENT, you should come to LENTEN WORSHIP on Wednesday evenings. Here you will have an opportunity to meditate, reflect, and learn of the "way of the cross", and prepare your mind and soul to better understand the suffering our Lord experienced because of your and my sin. Indeed, the JOY of Easter cannot be fully appreciated without first taking up our cross and walking with Jesus along the Lenten Journey. Won't you please join us each Wednesday during Lent for this important part of the church year?

Why do people "give up" something for Lent? In some churches, Lent is considered a time for self-sacrifice. Some religions impose "canon law" and rules on their members: "You WILL do this and you MUST do that." Do we HAFTA do that? Lutherans believe that we are justified by GRACE through FAITH. Our salvation does not depend on anything we do or don't do during Lent. However, many use this special season as an opportunity to draw closer to Christ, and giving up something special is one way for us to remind ourselves of the tremendous sacrifice that Jesus made for us. You might give up a favorite food or beverage or thing. (Chocolate? Coffee? Tea? Beer? Pizza? TV? Sports?) Whatever you choose, it should be something you like a LOT - so that every time you do NOT have it, you will be reminded "I'm doing this to remind myself what Jesus did for me." One worthwhile sacrifice is to "give up" your Wednesday evenings by coming to worship! I encourage you to try self-sacrifice this year. But remember, when you do this, the Bible tells us:

Matt 6:16-18 (NIV)

May your sacrifice be acceptable to God, and help you to walk humbly with your Lord.

Until Next Month: Remember "6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:6-8 (NIV)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the Glory)

Donald L. Bauer, Choral & Contemporary Music Director