Lent & Advent
Lenten Reflection – by Leon Taylor
Now that we are into the Lenten season, most have made a decision on how they will observe Lent. For those who have yet to make a choice, but do not favor fasting or abstinence, there are still many options. The following are a few.
- Perform random acts of kindness each day. Give a “good morning” greeting, allow an auto trying to enter a crowded freeway to enter, comfort someone who has need of a sympathetic ear. These seem like simple actions, but could be the one positive thing that brightens the recipient’s day.
- Make peace with someone you have wronged or have issues. Possibly you may apologize even if you feel you were in the right.
- Visit someone who is sick, lonely, aged, or incarcerated. A phone call or other electronic communication may suffice if an in person visit is not possible.
- Serve people in need. This includes giving to charity, helping at homeless shelters, feeding the hungry, and advocating for the underserved and those considered alien. – Christ calls to task on this: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me”-Matthew 25: 45.
- Tell others you love them. This can be done with words and/ or deeds. Otherwise how will they know? “A new commandment I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another.” -John 13: 34- 35.
- Serve in worship. Consider serving on one of the church departments, committees, or related organizations. Become an usher, greeter or a communion server. Join the choir, the bell choir, stand and sing for justice. The opportunities are almost endless.
- Study in depth, one book of the bible. This entails more than merely reading, but reading with understanding. Knowledge of the culture and times is of value. A book of choice would be one of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” — II Timothy 2: 15.
- Pray, pray without ceasing.
(Thanks to Joe Iovino for inspiring this reflection)
— By Leon Taylor