As the Lenten season begins with the solemnity of Ash Wednesday, Christians are drawn into a sacred rhythm of reflection, repentance, and renewal. The ashes imposed on our foreheads, accompanied by the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” serve as a poignant reminder of our mortality and dependence on God. But beyond the ashes and the liturgical traditions, Ash Wednesday extends an invitation—one that calls us to deeper transformation in our daily lives.
A Call to Return to God
The primary invitation of Ash Wednesday is found in the Scriptures often read on this day, such as Joel 2:12-13: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your garments.” This call to “rend your hearts” highlights that Lent is not merely about external observances but about an inward turning toward God. It is an opportunity to pause, examine our lives, and realign our hearts with the divine will.
This invitation resonates deeply with me as the new rector of St. Michael’s on Hamilton Mountain. Since beginning this role on August 1, 2024, I have felt both the weight of responsibility and the joy of leading this parish. After completing three years of M.Div. study at Trinity College and two years of curacy at St. Cuthbert’s in Oakville and Grace in Waterdown, I recognize the sacred privilege of shepherding a community of faith. This Lent, as we prepare for our Mission Action Plan 2.0 (MAP 2.0) in 2025, I invite our parish— and you—to embrace this season as a time for communal and personal renewal.
Practices of Lent: Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving
As part of our Christian tradition, I would encourage three primary practices during Lent: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These disciplines are not ends in themselves but tools for spiritual growth and renewal. On Ash Wednesday, we are invited to embrace these practices intentionally, allowing them to shape how we live each day.
Fasting, for instance, while traditionally associated with giving up food or certain pleasures, is ultimately about making room for God. By abstaining from excess and indulgence, we are reminded of our dependence on God’s provision and are encouraged to cultivate simplicity in our daily choices. Similarly, prayer invites us to deepen our connection with God, whether through structured prayers, silent meditation, or reading Scripture. This practice reorients our hearts and strengthens our faith. Finally, almsgiving shifts our focus outward, calling us to respond to the needs of others with generosity and compassion. It is a tangible way to express gratitude for God’s blessings by sharing them with those in need.
Living the Lenten Invitation Daily
The invitation of Lent is not limited to Ash Wednesday or Sunday services; it is a daily call to transformation. For our parish, this season is also a time to engage in intentional preparation for MAP 2.0. Seven of our parishioners are participating in the course Reimagining Church through the Niagara School for Missional Leadership (NSML). This course invites participants to rethink church in light of our changing world, equipping us to envision new ways of living out our faith and mission.
The themes of the course, such as introducing fresh expressions of church, nurturing change in traditional congregations, and exploring the Bible as a book of mission, align beautifully with Lent’s call to renewal. These learnings will help us as a community discern our role in God’s unfolding mission. Practically, we can embrace this season by starting each day with intention, whether through prayer, reflection, or simple acts of kindness. By embracing small sacrifices, such as limiting distractions or choosing simpler meals, and seeking opportunities to serve others in our community, we reflect the heart of Lent’s transformative power.
Lent as a Journey Toward Resurrection
Ultimately, Lent is not merely a season of self-denial but a journey toward the hope and joy of Easter. Ash Wednesday’s invitation to “return to God” is an invitation to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. As we let go of sin, selfishness, and distraction, we make room for the new life God offers us through Jesus.
This Lent, may we accept the invitation extended on Ash Wednesday with open hearts. Let us embrace the season’s disciplines not as burdens but as pathways to deeper faith, hope, and love. As we prepare for the fulfillment of MAP 2.0, may our parish and our daily lives be transformed, reflecting the glory of Easter morning and the ongoing work of God’s mission in the world.
The Invitation of Ash Wednesday: Embracing Lent in our Daily Lives
As the Lenten season begins with the solemnity of Ash Wednesday, Christians are drawn into a sacred rhythm of reflection, repentance, and renewal. The ashes imposed on our foreheads, accompanied by the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” serve as a poignant reminder of our mortality and dependence on God. But beyond the ashes and the liturgical traditions, Ash Wednesday extends an invitation—one that calls us to deeper transformation in our daily lives.
A Call to Return to God
The primary invitation of Ash Wednesday is found in the Scriptures often read on this day, such as Joel 2:12-13: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your garments.” This call to “rend your hearts” highlights that Lent is not merely about external observances but about an inward turning toward God. It is an opportunity to pause, examine our lives, and realign our hearts with the divine will.
This invitation resonates deeply with me as the new rector of St. Michael’s on Hamilton Mountain. Since beginning this role on August 1, 2024, I have felt both the weight of responsibility and the joy of leading this parish. After completing three years of M.Div. study at Trinity College and two years of curacy at St. Cuthbert’s in Oakville and Grace in Waterdown, I recognize the sacred privilege of shepherding a community of faith. This Lent, as we prepare for our Mission Action Plan 2.0 (MAP 2.0) in 2025, I invite our parish— and you—to embrace this season as a time for communal and personal renewal.
Practices of Lent: Fasting, Prayer, and Almsgiving
As part of our Christian tradition, I would encourage three primary practices during Lent: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These disciplines are not ends in themselves but tools for spiritual growth and renewal. On Ash Wednesday, we are invited to embrace these practices intentionally, allowing them to shape how we live each day.
Fasting, for instance, while traditionally associated with giving up food or certain pleasures, is ultimately about making room for God. By abstaining from excess and indulgence, we are reminded of our dependence on God’s provision and are encouraged to cultivate simplicity in our daily choices. Similarly, prayer invites us to deepen our connection with God, whether through structured prayers, silent meditation, or reading Scripture. This practice reorients our hearts and strengthens our faith. Finally, almsgiving shifts our focus outward, calling us to respond to the needs of others with generosity and compassion. It is a tangible way to express gratitude for God’s blessings by sharing them with those in need.
Living the Lenten Invitation Daily
The invitation of Lent is not limited to Ash Wednesday or Sunday services; it is a daily call to transformation. For our parish, this season is also a time to engage in intentional preparation for MAP 2.0. Seven of our parishioners are participating in the course Reimagining Church through the Niagara School for Missional Leadership (NSML). This course invites participants to rethink church in light of our changing world, equipping us to envision new ways of living out our faith and mission.
The themes of the course, such as introducing fresh expressions of church, nurturing change in traditional congregations, and exploring the Bible as a book of mission, align beautifully with Lent’s call to renewal. These learnings will help us as a community discern our role in God’s unfolding mission. Practically, we can embrace this season by starting each day with intention, whether through prayer, reflection, or simple acts of kindness. By embracing small sacrifices, such as limiting distractions or choosing simpler meals, and seeking opportunities to serve others in our community, we reflect the heart of Lent’s transformative power.
Lent as a Journey Toward Resurrection
Ultimately, Lent is not merely a season of self-denial but a journey toward the hope and joy of Easter. Ash Wednesday’s invitation to “return to God” is an invitation to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. As we let go of sin, selfishness, and distraction, we make room for the new life God offers us through Jesus.
This Lent, may we accept the invitation extended on Ash Wednesday with open hearts. Let us embrace the season’s disciplines not as burdens but as pathways to deeper faith, hope, and love. As we prepare for the fulfillment of MAP 2.0, may our parish and our daily lives be transformed, reflecting the glory of Easter morning and the ongoing work of God’s mission in the world.
Nicola Li Fen Zhang is a candidate for ordination in the Diocese of Niagara.
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