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Lent, Halfway!
Mario Romero • Mar 05, 2024
In the Marine Corps, part of our physical fitness test was a 3-mile run. If
you’ve ever seen me, you know I’m not built for distance—short-leg
syndrome. While running, there was often a person at the halfway mark
informing you of your run time. Most of the time, I wasn’t too concerned
with pace, I was just excited to hear that I was halfway done…the finish was
near.
I don’t know if you are happy or sad that we are at the halfway point of
Lent, however, the end is near. For some, you have been diligent in keeping
to your fast or new practice, for others you have been more sporadic, and
maybe for some, it lasted a good couple of days. Wherever we find ourselves
on this journey, let us remember, that it is not about how “good” we are
doing, but rather the posture of our heart.
“Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth,
As it is in heaven”
One of the characteristics I love most about God is his constant inviting
nature. Which is understandable and needed since we are so easily swayed
and distracted from our walk. Jesus’ prayer reminds us that we are invited
and inviting God to position our hearts toward His will, His kingdom. Lent
lasts but a season, our worship is everlasting.
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am
humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my
yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
May the second half of our Lenten worship be restful as we continue to
position our hearts toward the One who holds them gently and eternally.
Some resources on the Atonement
Some thoughts on why we do things the way we do at RCB.
How do we walk when we feel attacked and alone?
An invitation into knowing God's faithfulness through pain.
A review of Christianity and Critical Race Theory
On trying to follow Jesus in a consumerist culture.
Mario's reflections on Lent and privilege.
This is how I remember Lent as a kid: go to mass on Ash Wednesday (I have no memory of any sermon, lol), vow to give up something (that lasted as long as a New Year’s resolution), and eat Long John Silver’s fried fish on Fridays (their hushpuppies and crunchies…mmmm). We didn’t eat meat on Fridays (unless we forgot, but we prayed, so it was ok); it was something everyone in the church did, right? I knew it was leading up to Easter--other than that, I had no real understanding or connection to it. Lent was taught more like an obligation rather than an opportunity. An opportunity to reflect, rejoice, rest, repent (what other “r” words can we think of?) on Christ’s journey to the cross. The next 40 days is an opportunity, an invitation to draw closer to the Giver of Life. For some, this might look sacrificial (giving something up), for others it might be a genesis (starting something new), or it can be a combination of the two. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth, As it is in heaven” Our Lord doesn’t just teach us to pray, he embodies prayer. He inaugurates God’s kingdom on earth through his presence with us; through his faithful obedience, we get to see and experience heaven on earth. This does not come without temptation, and trials, and wandering astray at times—yet our loving God invites. He invites us to remember, to reengage with the One who creates and holds all things; He invites us to lay down our lives and pick up our crosses. We want to invite you to participate with RCB, as we journey with Christ to Calvary, praying for the strength to be obedient… Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth, As it is in heaven.
A book review of Peter Sung's excellent The Post-Church Church.
John 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.