“The Cares of the Heart”
Lent and spring don’t usually arrive together; after all, for those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, the days of late February or early March are not especially spring-like. This time of year isn’t really a season, it’s just the dreary end of winter, so it’s not surprising that we grab onto the hope that if it’s Lent, surely spring is on the horizon! And rather predictably, as these forty days move along, the season of the church year and the season of our natural environment seem to join together, rather like tributaries flowing into the larger river. Our doubts become hopes, as little signs of spring begin to emerge, and, as it does every year, the beauty of nature renewing itself comes forth.
The season of Lent has deep historic roots in our Christian faith, as the early church set aside a significant portion of time in the church year during which believers were to focus on Christ’s journey to the cross. Many traditions have emphasized repentance, confession, and personal deprivation as part of a Lenten discipline.
The church of Martin Luther’s time had created an essentially impossible standard of piety and penitence to make oneself worthy of God’s love and forgiveness. As a monk, Luther felt nothing but unworthiness and despair, unable to believe that he was anything but sinful and beyond redemption. Luther turned to the scriptures, studied and pondered, searching for some understanding of how humans could attain salvation. The book of Romans included a statement that opened Luther’s mind to the understanding that by grace we are saved through faith, and this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God. (paraphrase Ephesians 2:8)
As we participate in this Lenten season, we notice that the sanctuary looks a little plain, our music is quieter, alleluias are absent from the liturgy, and the lessons and prayers have a meditative theme. It’s an opportunity to reflect, to consider where we are and where we should be going on our faith journey, to open our hearts to God’s plans for us.
It can be challenging to quiet our spirits, to tune out the fears, the worries, and the conflicts of the world in which we live. But from the Psalms to the Gospel of Matthew, we are encouraged to bring our cares to our heavenly Father and to our savior, Jesus Christ.
Psalm 94:19: “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Matthew 11:28-29: (Jesus said:) “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
As we embark on our Lenten journey, we’re likely to find there are any number of ways to learn and grow in relationship with our Lord, and we’re blessed to share this holy season.
Thoughtful and reflective,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers