Lent

Lent represent that period when the ministry of Jesus reached its crescendo. It remembers those last 40 days, when Jesus went up from Galillee to Jerusalem before his crucifixion and resurrection.

As Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem, he tells his disciples that he will be betrayed, that he will be crucified. He also tells them, that it must be this way, not only to fullfill prophesy, but also to complete his ministry and his mission on Earth. This is the first glimpse of the shadow of the cross, where Jesus will die for our sins and our transgressions.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. For Christians, it’s the beginning of a period of contemplation, when we take more time to focus on prayer, meditation and silence. The cross, as the symbol of Christ’s suffering, is at the center of all the worship during Lent. It is a time to remember how much Jesus suffered so we might be saved.

The 40 days of lent give each one of us time to reflect on our own brokenness but also to reflect on what Christ did for us and the gift of life he gives. This period leads into and through Holy Week, or as some Christian traditions call it, passion week.

Palmsunday

Palm Sunday

Holy week begins with Palm Sunday, when we remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  Riding on a donkey, he is met by cheers of Hosanna. The humble Jesus, riding a colt, a lowly donkey, is greeted as King. Soon, the whole of Jerusalem will turn on him. But on this day, they see him as their savior.

 

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday or White Thursday or Holy Thursday is celebrated on the Thursday evening before Good Friday. On this day we remember Jesus’ last evening with his disciples before his death on the cross. We share bread and wine on this evening to remember the last meal Jesus had with his disciples. This is where the tradition of communion, our remembrance of the last supper began.

Jesus knew he would be betrayed, he knew the cross awaited him. And yet, he put his disciples first. He taught them. He prepared them and he comforted them.

Good Friday

Good Friday helps us to remember how Jesus voluntarily died on the cross for each one of us, so we may receive life everlasting. On the cross, Jesus takes on our sin, our transgressions and he makes himself a perfect sacrifice for them. On the cross, Jesus triumphs over sin and death once and for all.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, we celebrate his victory over death and rejoice in the salvation that he brought. That is why we greet each other on Easter Sunday with the words: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Because he has risen we can now have life, in all its abundance.

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