Across the land, Christians from various denominations will commemorate the day by fasting, praying or participating in ceremonies in which ashes are crossed on their foreheads. Many will abstain from a particular food, beverage or activity until Easter, in recognition of Jesus' great sacrifice.
These rituals symbolize our
connection to God and our acknowledgment that despite being created in His image,
we are mere mortals who sin and mess up more often than we get it right.
What I enjoy most about this
season is the opportunity it gives us to publicly embrace our shortcomings, or
at least recognize the fact that we often don't measure up, faith wise.
In our "survival of the
fittest," "may the best man (or woman) win" society, it's not
easy to admit that you're not perfect.
Most of us know that
perfection is impossible in human form, but let the tabloids, news magazine
shows and celebrity profiles tell it, perfection can be bought in a bottle or
Botox needle, discovered in a therapist's chair or molded on a personal
trainer's gym floor mat. It can be acquired at an elite university or in
some of the boardrooms of the most powerful companies across the globe.
The truth is, if we were
perfect we might not feel a need for God. And surely we wouldn't give a
second thought to Lent. Then, where would we find ourselves?
Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash
your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. Let there be tears
for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let
there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. When you bow
down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and
give you honor. James 4: 8-10 (New Living Translation)
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