The Season of Lent

The Season of Lent
The season of Lent leads the Church on a forty-day journey of repentance and prayer, of remembrance and renewal of our baptism. God calls to mankind: Return to the Lord! The journey begins with Ash Wednesday’s warning of mortality and culminates at the Service of Holy Baptism in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. 

Many congregations that gather for midweek Lenten services meditate on the Passion of our Lord for the six weeks of Lent.

The Sundays in Lent
The Church’s Lenten worship is muted and quiet. For centuries, the Church has omitted her most jubilant songs of praise during this season of repentance. Worship planners may omit the use of “Alleluia” until Easter. The Song of Praise may also be omitted to reflect the somber nature of the season. Note, however, that the Sundays are designated as Sunday in Lent, not Sundays of Lent. The Sundays themselves are not considered part of the forty days, but are islands of refreshment in our Lenten walk.

The Lessons of Lent
Consider each Sunday’s focus and progression. Notice the hope and refreshment they offer to Christians walking toward Good Friday and Easter Sunday:
  • Lent 1: Jesus defeated the devil for us
  • Lent 2: Jesus is the gift of God for all nations by faith
  • Lent 3: Jesus is the light of the world who brings sight for the blind and judgment to the blinded
  • Lent 4: Jesus calls us from sinful selfishness to selfless service
  • Lent 5: Jesus will raise us from death to life
  • Lent 6: Hail the King who humbly comes to save us!
Here is refreshment for the Lenten journey: Your Savior has defeated the devil for you. The promise comes by faith and is meant for all people. Though you were born in the blindness of sin, the light of the world shines upon you and lets you see. New life in the light of Christ leads you to selfless service until the day he makes good on his greatest promise—the resurrection.

What can we say in response to love so great? Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hail him! (From Planning Christian Worship Year A)

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