24 Hours That Changed the World - Lenten Study

Why observe Lent? 

I read this great article today, "Dreading Lent: An Alternative Proposal" and but I especially appreciated this quote:

In the end, Lent is not about a 40-day marathon of deprivation. It's about looking inside, finding the places where we feel disconnected to God, and taking up the challenge of going deeper. It's about walking with Jesus for forty days because we are so overwhelmed by his love for us. And, it's about preparing for what is next. Because the empty tomb is not the finish line. It's just the start of a long and wonderful journey. And Lent is a time to get ready.

Some people will be giving up things, while others will be taking on new experiences or disciplines. And many of us will be learning more about the life of Jesus and the life of faith to enhance our own journeys on the road with Christ.

Please feel free to join me in a reading of the book, 24 Hours That Changed The World by Adam Hamilton. In this book, we will reflect on the events in the last 24 hours of Jesus' life, from the Last Supper through the Crucifixion, and finish by looking forward to Easter Day.

I will post a brief reflection based on the reading and the class video, and then pose some questions for you to consider as you read along.  I love reading your comments and questions, so please feel free to share what you're thinking and learning through this experience.

I'll close with a link to another reflection I read today from one of my favorite preachers and teachers, Will Willimon. In his article, "Good News! You're a Sinner and Lent is Here!" he puts it all like this:

In our lamenting of our sins, there is also room for joy. In the gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, Matthew 6:16-17, Jesus instructs us (strangely) that when we fast, when we repent of our sin, we are not to show sad, remorseful faces and make a big deal of our mournful repentance. Jesus tells us that we are to prepare ourselves as if for a party. We are to rejoice that the God whom we presumed to be our enemy is really our best friend.

Give thanks that the God whom we presumed to be unwilling to do business with sinners such as us has embraced us, forgiven us, even died for us sinners, only sinners.

Peace in Christ,

Deb