Isaiah 58:1-12
Today, the season of Lent begins. What does that mean to you? For many, Lent is a season of preparation and
contemplation as one journeys to the cross with Jesus. Too many of us talk of it in terms of
personal sacrifice made for this journey, but I’m not sure that giving up one’s
favorite candy bar, soft drink, or television show for forty days communicates
true sacrifice. Perhaps we need to
rethink our approach to Lent, shifting the focus away from what is given up,
instead contemplating what might be given.
Today’s text challenges us to think beyond
ourselves. To do so, one may “loose the chains of injustice…set the
oppressed free…share food with the hungry, provide the poor
wanderer with shelter, and seeing the naked, clothe them.” In the words of
Jesus, “whatever you did for one of the
least of these, you did for me.”
What will you give for
Lent?
Prayer: Gracious God, once more, I give you
my heart. Now, what may I give to others
in your name? Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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