LIVING, LEARNING & LOVING during LENT
Ash Wednesday – Lent Begins: Lenten devotionals for March and April. We will focus on a different concept each day of the week: Sundays: Resting/Taking Sabbath Mondays: Fasting Tuesdays: Giving Wednesdays: Serving Thursdays: Praying Fridays: Studying/Learning Saturdays: Celebrating/Playing.
March 5 (Wednesday – Serving)
- Scripture: Matthew 25:40 – And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
- Reflection: Serving others is serving Christ. Every act of kindness reflects our love for Him and embodies His teachings.
On this Ash Wednesday, as we begin the season of Lent, prepare your heart to be in connection with Christ. Often we receive ashes as a sign of atonement and repentance, which means to turn in a new direction, to make a different choice, and re-orient our lives. In Lent, we focus on aiming ourselves to live and walk the Way of Christ.
Today, we we begin the Lenten journey, and start with ashes, ask yourself: What must be burned away to make space for something life-affirming and positive? What do you need to relinquish in order to have time and energy for yourself and others? - Spiritual Practice Prompt: Receive ashes sometime during the day if possible. Alternately, look in the mirror and trace the sign of the cross on your own forehead using your finger.
Also choose one way to offer time and attention to someone in your life who needs your presence.
Song:
- Ashes by Celine Dion: https://youtu.be/CX11yw6YL1w?si=Hc2B9TDT1XmrJjyf
- The Jesus Way by Phil Wickham: https://youtu.be/4Fhv4arL3yk?si=HN-P2Oln3r1qHExg
- We Are the World / USA for Africa: https://youtu.be/9AjkUyX0rVw?si=qpCbaNyrsqGw-3eU
Let beauty come out of ashes. — Celine Dion, lyrics from Ashes
We are most like God when we serve. – David Anderson, In the Spirit of the New Testament.
March 5 Lenten Devotional