But HE+ was wounded
for our transgressions,
HE+ was bruised
for our iniquities:
the chastisement
of our peace
was upon HIM+;
and with HIS+ stripes
we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
+ + +
The Lenten Season is
upon us once again. It starts on Wednesday, March 1.
It is the season
observed by many Christians in many church groups to remember the GREAT
Passover of the LAMB+ of GOD… the Greatest Passover … and the Last Passover…
recognized by GOD.
The Lenten Season is
NOT the sole property of the Roman Catholic, the Eastern Orthodox, or any of the
liturgical churches. It belongs to all Christians everywhere.
During this time on
the Christian church calendar, Ash Wednesday ( arbitrarily selected) starts the remembrance of The LORD'S journey
towards Jerusalem as HE+ headed towards His+ Crucifixion.
Many churches observe
this Season as a time of serious reflection upon what it cost The LORD to save
us from our sins --- and the Second Death in the Lake of Fire, for all
Eternity --- and thus, as a serious
season of repentance.
During this time,
Christians try to bring the body under more control of the HOLY SPIRIT. To do
this, supernatural strength is required. So, Christians fast, calling upon The
LORD for help.
Some Christians choose
to fast from a favorite food (coffee,
pizza, chocolate, popcorn, sweets, all snacks, etc.) simply as a way to REMIND their flesh
that the spirit is in control, not the body. When they do this, they are
usually shocked at the battle such a small commitment begins between their
flesh and their spirit.
Others choose to fast
from a meal or do one or two days of
total fasting. Oddly enough, THIS type of fasting actually is easier; there is
no battle, once the commitment is made. The "eating" time then
becomes Quiet Time of Refreshment from The LORD.
There are other types
of "fasts" that some Christians do during this( arbitrarily selected
) 40-day season.
Here are some little
ways one could choose to submit the body to the spirit:
No parties or social get-togethers.
No games.
No reading, apart from the Bible.
An hour of total silence per evening / day.
No "chit-chat" or long conversations.
No un-necessary conversations.
Limited social interaction, be it by phone, emails, or visits.
No dining out.
No DVD's, No magazines, No computer... Nothing that could be
construed as "entertaining."
No music or no up-beat music.
Only dark purple clothing is worn or no bright clothing until after the Resurrection.
The purpose of fasting
is not to be ascetic but to cut away worldly distractions IN ORDER TO FOCUS
more fully upon The LORD JESUS.
Time with HIM+;
Stillness with HIM+.
UN-CLUTTERED TIME WITH HIM+
.... a stillness that is SO STILL
that it ceases to think about
the day's events and duties.
Some Christians have
heavy work-loads. Some work in the public; some attend classes and have
time-absorbing assignments and exams; some have small children in the home;
some home-school.
Whatever the situation,
The LORD will
show the WILLING HEART
what kind of fast is pleasing to HIM+
... and how much
... and WHEN
it is to be done.
Even a 5-minute break
with The LORD . . .
and a brief meditation on a verse of Isaiah 53 or a verse of a
Psalm --- instead of a cup of coffee and a doughnut --- will increase the
closeness one has with The LORD during this season. Much good fruit of repentance and Quietness
before HIM+ refreshes the body more than coffee and doughnuts.
But HE+ was wounded ...
is a good place to
start the Lenten Season of Meditations focused upon The LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Other good Lenten
Season Meditations include: Isaiah 53, Psalm 51, Psalm 32, John 14, John
15, and John 17. Revelation chapters 2
and 3 lend themselves to serious reflection for repentance, also.
During Lenten Season,
there is no great rush ...
to finish a Psalm or Isaiah 53. Line by line, phrase by
phrase of Isaiah 53 ... one phrase a day...
works well for the spirit to meditate upon WHY HE+ was wounded.
What did your life, your sins cost HIM+ ?
What are your life and your sins
still
costing HIM+ ?
Is HE+ being wounded
by your sins
that you choose to hide
and not confess and turn from ?
Is HE+ again being wounded
because you refuse
to yield the controls over to HIM+ ?
Are you wounding HIM+
because you are being sovereign
over some areas of your "own" life ?
Are there any worldly values or goals
you are holding or pursuing
that are wounding HIM+ afresh ?
+ + +
Thus, whether
"your church" does the Lenten Season remembrances or not, each
Christian can still choose to observe the 40-day time of preparation for the
Great Passover ... the greatest Passover the world has ever had, and the last.
Thus, I pray each one
of you search your heart and see if HE+ is calling you to observe this season
of the preparation for the Great Passover ... not from duty, but from a sincere
heart of love for what HE+ has done for you.
~ Sr. Judith Hannah + + +
