Lent began last week. Forty days of it. It seems like a long time, doesn't it, this "forty days" business? One may wonder how this particular length of time was chosen. Well, forty is a special number, a special length of time. Read, if you will, some excerpts from the Ash Wednesday Communion liturgy which tells us a lot about why this season of time is as it is. 

The Great Thanksgiving on this day begins as it always does, then proceeds to narrate these particular biblical details: 

-- "When rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights, you bore up the ark on the waters, saved Noah...and established an everlasting covenant...
-- "you led Moses to your mountain for forty days and forty nights and gave us your teachings. You led us through the wilderness and fed us manna for forty years and brought us to the promised land. 
-- "you led your prophet Elijah to your mountain where, as he fasted forty days and forty nights, he heard your still small voice.
-- "blessed is your Son Jesus Christ...your Spirit led him into the wilderness where he fasted forty days and forty nights in preparation of his ministry...
-- "When [Jesus] suffered and died...you raised him to life, presented him alive to the apostles during forty days..."

The forty days of Lent reflects and continues this special tradition of history, meaning, and symbolism. Ash Wednesday is when Lent begins, and we too enter once again into this story and history of God's working within us and for us. Once again we are given forty days (Sunday in Lent are excluded from the count)-- a traditional and special period for preparation, discipline, spiritual focus and prayer, that we may grow closer to God and his Son, and more faithful as disciples. 

Come join us as we begin this special time of forty days, remembering the historical precedents and the spiritual significance of Lent. 

In God's Grace, 

Pastor David

(from the March 2, 2011 Laurel Lantern - LUMC Newsletter)