Three Stories on Lent

Rev. Wesley Menke

2 March 2022 

Ash Wednesday

When I was a youth minister I challenged the youth to give up something or fast for Lent. The teenage girls responded very enthusiastically saying they would skip lots of meals. At first I was impressed, and then I was concerned. Adolescents really shouldn’t be skipping meals. After talking with the pastor we contacted parents and asked them to reframe the discussion with their youth, as did I the following youth group. I had to repent as a leader from something that I thought was a good idea, but really wasn’t. This is the danger of works-righteousness. This is what Jesus warned against in Matthew 6. Public displays of piety can lead to some hurtful outcomes. Rather, let your piety be simple and intimate between you and God. 

Lent is about more than repentance, it is also grounded in an awareness of our mortality. On Ash Wednesday we say, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”  A couple of years after the story I shared I had gotten married and my wife and I were expecting the birth of our first born child. My wife gave birth on Ash Wednesday that year right about the time many people were at church. I was aware of the tremendous sacrifice she made, risking her life to bring life into the world. She reminded me of Jesus, who gave his life for us. In the book of Joel chapter 2, we read about the day of the Lord being thick with darkness and unknowing, like death itself. By grace we fear not death, but have faith. The deepest night and darkness spring forth life. 

Finally Lent is about serving God not out of fear or wanting to earn God’s favor, but simply to do what is right and needed in the world, to endure some degree of suffering. The first time I put on a clerical shirt with the collar was at home, as I was preparing to do a teaching parish. Just seconds after putting the clergy shirt on my wife told me that the baby’s dirty diaper needed to be changed. I thought that was kind of ironic and coincidental. It was good preparation for pastor ministry. We each serve God by serving those who are in need, but rolling up our sleeves and caring for others in practical simple ways. That’s something you can do this Lent.

Link to bulletin and videos of this worship service.