Lent Meditation - Day 1

📖 Scripture Verse

“…let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:1-2

🕯️Meditation

We begin the season of Lent by calling to mind our frailty, our mortality, and our need for repentance and God’s grace. We do this not by focusing on shame and failure, but by looking to Jesus who has led the way through the powers of sin and death that beset humanity, and into the resurrection life. The author of Hebrews uses the metaphor of an athletic race: think of a long hiking trail—we should set aside the things that burden us, and keep our eyes on the one who knows the trail. Lent invites us to lay down that which weighs down. In Lent we take stock of our lives and ask for the grace to travel lightly in the footsteps of our Lord. The trails of life can be rough and steep, but the goal is holiness, wholeness, and peace.

🙏 Prayer

Loving God, as we begin this holy journey of Lent, give us the grace to keep our eyes on your Son Jesus, and cast our burdens on him, because his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Bring us to the life you have created us to live: whole, holy, and serene; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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