THE JOURNEY OF THE LENTEN SEASON

“So there were …. fourteen generations from the exile to Babylon to the Christ.”

Matthew 1: 17

The Lenten season takes us on a journey that invites reflection on Jesus’s life and ministry. My inclination this year is to take a sankofa approach to this period of reflection. It is logical to consider what those who come after Jesus’s life and ministry said about who Jesus was, whether it’s the New Testament writers, New Testament scholars, or preachers we revere. Who do they say Jesus was? The sankofa perspective also prompts us to ask who Jesus is and, by extension, “who His people?” Who Jesus is to us now depends, in no small part, on the tradition out of which He emerges. How does He speak, in the present moment, to the past?

This Lenten season, I am challenging myself to think about who Jesus was and is, yes. But I am also moved to think about who I am my familial and communal connection in relation to Jesus. What are the faith traditions out of which I emerge? What do the communities I have been and am a part of help reveal about and through the quiet mystery of God.

This Lenten season, who and what memories will you take with you on your journey toward God?

Prayer: God, help us to remember the ways we came to see and to know You through our families and our history. Help us to be a light that reflects Your love of people, of justice, and of peace to those we encounter today and then, still, to the beautiful ones yet unborn. Amen and asé.

SISTER DANA A. WILLIAMS BETHEL 21 HISTORICAL SOCIETY

WHY LENT MATTERS!!

“Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe she wore” (2 Samuel 13:19). “Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes and cried with a loud bitter cry” (Esther 4:1).

Lent was established centuries ago by church leaders to help Christ followers remember the humility of Jesus and imitate Him as we are called to do. Following the life changing, disruptive rule of Covid-19 and the subsequent civil and political unrest, more than ever we need a day and a season to humble ourselves before God.

Lent means “the lengthening of days” and began during the apex of the Roman Empire and the infant years of the church. The 40-day period became infused with biblical meaning as it mirrored the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness, the 40 days and nights of rain during the flood, the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai, the 40 days the spies searched out the land at God’s command, and the 40 days Jesus walked the earth between His resurrection and His ascension.

Lent services are usually marked by the application of ashes to the foreheads of worshippers who choose to come forward. Ashes were also indicative of mourning as cited throughout the Old Testament.

Prayer: Almighty God, As we approach the season of Lent, help us to live in a way that is more spiritual and more about serving and trusting in God and loving others. We offer this prayer in the Mighty Name of Jesus, our precious Lord and Savior. Amen.

PRIOLEAU, III SENIOR STEWARD BOARD MIGHTY MEN OF MAMEC

Wilderness Temptations

“God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. When you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can endure it ”

1 Corinthians 10:13

Jesus was tempted. Temptation is coaxing or inducing a person into committing an act by manipulation or curiosity. Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, fasted for forty days, and was tempted by the devil. The devil said, “If you are the Son of God, turn this stone into bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

The devil led Jesus to a high place, showed him the kingdoms of the world and said, “I will give you all their authority and splendor if you worship me.” Jesus answered, “It is written, ”Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” The devil led Jesus to Jerusalem, placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written that angels are commanded to guard and lift you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Luke 4:1-12

We are tempted everyday by food, flesh, and other worldly things. Seek the Lord when you are being tempted.

PRAYER: Lord, help us to not yield to temptations. Amen

JOCELYN HARRIS MCAM

‘HOW GREAT THOU ART’?

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy pow’r thru-out the universe displayed!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When thru the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in –That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration

And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art

“VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION”*

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

Galatians 5:16-18 NKJV

We live in a world of temptations and distractions that can take our eyes off Jesus Christ. There are many images and words sent by social media, marketers, entertainment venues, and inspired by our quest for instant gratification to please the flesh. During this Lenten season, we are reminded of our salvation through Jesus Christ empowering us with the Holy Spirit to overcome these temptations and distractions through prayer and fasting.

It is impossible for us to resist temptation, but as the scripture, Matthew 19:26 states, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Expressing prayer by whispered words or by social media to Jesus is the only way that helps us to conquer the urge when temptation arises.

Prayer: Our Father, thank you for the creation of life, your unconditional love, grace, and mercy and the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us strength to conquer temptation.

SISTER BARBARA SANTOS FRIEND OF METROPOLITAN A.M.E.C.

*Reprinted from Lent 2011

“

The Providence Of God

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. ” Psalms 136:1

Approaching this Lenten season, I am reflecting on my journey I am abundantly blessed with so much in which to rejoice There have been challenges, yet God brought me through. Those obstacles are minuscule compared to His manifold blessings.

I know the Lord for myself. These are just a few of my blessings: Family and friends traveled to celebrate my 80th birthday in a splendid manner all planned by my two granddaughters. I recently became a great-grandmother when older granddaughter blessed our family with a healthy and beautiful baby girl And, upon retiring from a career in federal service, God blessed me to touch many lives while serving as a math and reading instructor for more than a decade.

Most recently, I connected with four former students (siblings) who are now young adults and tremendously blessed by God as they pursue their ambitions. One individual is attending law school; the second is working on a Ph.D.; the third is an accountant working to become a CPA; and the fourth is a student at Brown University. Our God is an awesome God! These four young persons are from a Christian home and they know and love the Lord. As we reflect on the goodness of God this season, let us continue to give Him thanks for His grace, His mercy and His love for us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love. Teach us to live by thy word every day and let our heart unto you always pray. Amen.

SISTER BARBARA BOOKER WOOD FRIEND OF METROPOLITAN