A Brief Look At the Liturgical Seasons – So Far.

 

The beginning of March this year begins the third cycle of the church calendar. The first was Advent leading into Christmas and the second is Christmastide, or the 12 days of Christmas, that begins on December 25 and runs through January 6 or the day of Epiphany. From then, we are in an Ordinal, or commonly known as “ordinary”, time when we notice that the cloths on the altar turn from white to green. It is a time to focus on the ongoing teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ, allowing for deeper reflection on his life and actions through the readings of the Gospel throughout the year.

And that brings us to the beginning of the next liturgical season that begins with Transfiguration Sunday, March 2 this year. This Sunday commemorates Jesus’ transformation on a mountaintop and recognition of Jesus’ divine nature as the Son of God. With Christ’s identity firmly in place, we then delve into Lent.

Lent is a 40-day period, which is roughly six weeks long, that does not include Sundays. It’s a time of prayer, fasting, deep spiritual reflection, and acts of mercy that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday. There are 4 major days within Lent that we celebrate;

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, and is a time to reflect and repent from sin. Many Christians receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads or the back of their hand. We will be worshipping here on March 5 at 6:30 pm.

Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem. It’s celebrated on the Sunday before Easter, April 13, and marks the beginning of Holy Week. This Sunday we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by crowds waving palm branches. But is also the start of Holy Week, the most sacred time of year for Christians. In this one week, bracketed by a days of celebration and triumph at the beginning and end, we dive to the deepest time of despair as we witness the crowds that once cheered a Savior turn on him and call for his execution.

Maundy Thursday is the day that Christians commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ as well as Christ’s arrest in the garden of Gethsemane and trial before the Sanhedrin. This year it falls on April 17 and we will be worshipping here at North Judson at 6:30 PM. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be served.

Good Friday is a Christian holy day that commemorates the trial before Pontius Pilate, the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. It takes place on April 18, the Friday before Easter Sunday, and is a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting. We will be worshipping here at North Judson with our sisters and brothers from Lacrosse and Hanna at 6:30 PM.

Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a day filled with light, music, flowers and joy as we remember that Jesus, through the resurrection, triumphed over sin, death and eternal separation of all of us from the love of God through Jesus Christ. We encourage you to join us on Sunday April 20 as we joyfully celebrate our salvation through Jesus Christ.

There is a recurring theme in the bible that most people do not pick up on. It is the number 40. In fact, this one number appears 159 times in the Old and New Testaments. Some examples are:

• God made it rain for 40 days and 40 nights during the flood
• Moses spent 40 years tending flocks in the desert
• Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years
• Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert being tempted
• There were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension
• Goliath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days
• The Israelite spies spent 40 days spying on Canaan

The 40-day period of Lent is thought to be inspired by Jesus fasting in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights to prepare for his public ministry. So we are called to do likewise as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter. The United Methodist Church says that Lent is a time of preparation and focus. It’s a time to confront sinfulness, remember mortality, and give thanks for salvation.

I am personally inviting you into a Lent filled with personal reflection; a focus on prayer; and an open heart to listen and learn what the Holy Spirit may be calling for in your life.