17th February. 2021. Daily Devotion.
4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’
4 Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone.”’ Luke4:1-4
In most Western churches the season of Lent begins today, Ash Wednesday, and lasts for forty days until Easter. If you look at your calendar, you will notice that the period is actually 46 days long, not 40; that is because Sunday is always a day of celebration in Christianity, and so the six Sundays do not count.
The length of Lent refers to the fast Jesus undertook before He began his ministry. This is a point of confusion or ambiguity for many people because Christ’s fast occurred at the beginning of his ministry, right after he was baptized by John the Baptist, not in the days leading up to His crucifixion. The Lent we celebrate is thus a combination of two different things: preparation for the celebration of Christ’s death, and preparation to emulate Christ’s ministry.
First, we observe a period of solemnity leading up to Good Friday. The three traditional practices emphasized during Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving of some sort. Today, most Christians pledge to give up some specific earthly pleasure; alcohol and sweets are common. We prepare ourselves for the tragedy of Christ’s terrible suffering by engaging in a token self-denial of our physical appetites. We endure minor physical discomfort, to remind us of the agony Christ will suffer on our behalf.
Secondly, we emulate Christ, who fasted for 40 days before going out into the world. Just as Christ was tempted so we are also tempted. It is easy to immerse ourselves in desiring the things of this world— so to overcome this we take a break. We step back and remind ourselves that all of the delicious food or glittering objects of life are not the real point. Although our sacrifice during Lent may be small, it is a moment when we demonstrate, physically, that we belong to God.
Prayer for Ash Wednesday
Almighty and everlasting God, who hates nothing you have made and forgives the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in me a new and contrite heart, that I may begin this season of fasting and remembrance of your suffering, by truly lamenting my sins and acknowledging my wretchedness.
I pray that the ashes we use to symbolize the beginning of Lent may truly remind me that from dust I came, and to dust I will return, and that only by your victory over your suffering is it possible for me to find eternal peace and life. I pray for the grace of Christ, that I may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness of all the sins of this life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Dedication to Service
Now, O heavenly Father, I ask to be called as a witness to your love by the love I extend to others; a precursor of your justice by my unfailing commitment to what is right and good; a lamp set on a hill, reflecting the light of Christ in my forgiveness, mercy and compassion; and a harvester of souls through my humble and dedicated servanthood. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Coronavirus Prayer
We remember before God those who have died and we pray that God’s love will surround all who mourn them, now and always.
Gracious God, as we remember before you the thousands who have died, surround us and all who mourn with your strong compassion. Be gentle with us in our grief, protect us from despair, and give us grace to persevere and face the future with hope in Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
