Lenten Meditation – 25 March

By Courtney Aymett

Several of us think Lent is a time to “give up something” for 40 days, such as giving up sweets for six out of the seven days a week.  However, Lent is much more than “giving up something.”  It’s a season where we, as Christians, focus on simple living, prayer, and daily devotion to grow closer to God. We are “giving up” belongings, addictions, and habits and focusing on being more Christ-like in our daily actions.

Jesus Christ was made human, tempted in the same way we are on a daily basis, yet was still without sin.  He constantly demonstrated his love for all people: giving to the poor, helping those who were sick, and healing those who needed healing.  In spite of that, He was subject to an inhumane death, and all for our sake.  His love for us, however, is more powerful than any nail in His hands or feet.  He continues to love us no matter what we do.

During these 40 days of Lent, we are encouraged to share this same love with others.  As Teresa of Avila perfectly states, “Christ has no body now but yours.  No hands, no feet on earth but yours.  Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world.  Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.  Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.  Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body.  Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

We are made in Christ’s image to continue the good work He began.  We are the eyes, feet, hands, and body that share God’s love.  We are the ones, who during these 40 days are encouraged to spread His good work.  When we do this, we see Christ on Earth within us.

Additional Scripture: Psalm 22; 40: 1-19; Lamentations 3: 1-9; 19-33; 1 Peter 1: 10-20; John 13: 36-38; and 19: 38-42