Lent: Pastor's Corner

This is the Pastor's Corner which is published each week in our local newspaper.  It was not my scheduled turn to write it but some of our local churches have not been contributing so I sent this one in on the chance that they would need it.  They did.

Lenten Season

By the time this Pastor's Corner will be in the newspaper it will be at or near the season of Lent. Lent is observed by many Christian denominations. During the forty days of Lent we become more introspective and look at how we are conducting our lives. Through this reflection we hopefully and prayerfully decide to make changes that will make us more spiritual and God centered,

When I was a child I did not look forward to Lent. In my way of seeing things, Lent meant I had to give up something like candy or pop and that I would have to go to church every day for the next forty days. It seemed like an incredible hardship for my ten year old self. The silver lining for me was that at the end of Lent was the joyous day of Easter Sunday.

Now, many decades later I see the season of Lent through a different lens. It really is a time to reflect on how I can improve the way I conduct my life and make this world a better place. It is sort of like a new years resolution with a forty day window to make those changes.

The old way I looked at Lent was 'what will I give up'. And, I will do some of that. I will also start doing some things that will direct me toward being more spiritual. More God centered. I plan to be a better listener. I want to take the time to see the world through other people's eyes. I want to love more.

We are all flawed individuals and I am sure I will occasionally slip even though I am determined to do so many good things. I know that God will be there for me when that happens and God will pick me up, brush me off and send me back on the path He wants me to follow.

I still may have the occasional piece of candy.

Have a blessed season of Lent,

Father Fred Steinbach

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church