How are you marking Lent?

Did you give up something special or yummy? Did you add charity or service? How are you marking these forty days, this long journey to Easter?

When I asked Church Council the question, one of them disclosed that they had an empty tomb as part of their daily contemplation. {Yup, the one in the picture.} Besides the huge tomb that I had the opportunity to preach from some years back, I had never heard of or considered an empty tomb as Lenten décor. But it is brilliant, is it not? No matter where we are in the journey, the empty tomb is just ahead of us. The promise of life... Hope starring back...

Along with the vision of the women witnessing the mind-blowing truth of Easter morning, I share with you wise and profound Lenten possibilities from Pope Francis:

Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and have trust in God.

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

Amen, amen.

Pastor Leah