DUST

By Rev. Al Hocutt

I first thought about making the title “Lent: Not the type found in our belly buttons”, but Paula said nope.  I wanted something up beat and funny for the Season of Lent.  But I settled on “Dust”.  The other seasons of the Church calendar are filled with celebrations, joy, peace, excitement, light, food, fellowship, beautiful cantatas and hymns, baptisms, and everything bright and wonderful.  The Season of Lent on the other hand, begins with reminding us that we are dust and to dust we will return.  Nothing bright and beautiful here!  Why is our attitude or understanding of the Season of Lent and Easter so negative?

In the early years of my ministry I would be sad and even depressed during the Season of Lent.  I sometimes could not get through a service without tears in my eyes.  I would always think about Jesus in prison being mocked, slapped, spit on, beat, and being made fun of while hanging on the cross.  Knowing that Jesus did all of this just for me and my sins is very overwhelming because I know I am not worthy of the love of God.  I have heard from many congregants that they too feel unworthy.  I have to give credit to Duke Divinity School for giving me a new outlook for Lent.

Lent is a time of reflection for our lives.  Lent is an expression of God’s love toward us.  While we struggle dealing with the thoughts of Jesus dying for us, we are being surrounded by God’s love and the light of Christ.  God’s plan for all humanity is salvation and salvation comes to us through the death of Christ; literally the death of God, so we might catch a glimpse of the kingdom of God.  Jesus’ death offers to us salvation and eternal life.  We are reminded that sin came into the world by one man-Adam, and sin was taken away by one man-Jesus.

The Season of Lent is a time of celebration for us and the Church.  Lent prepares us for the celebration of Easter, the triumphant resurrection from the dead by Jesus.  I remind you that resurrection from the dead was a common occurrence.  The difference is that Jesus was raised from the dead and then ascended into heaven as foretold about the Messiah.  Others who were raised from the dead, Lazarus etc., died again and were buried.  We do have to come to terms with the darkness, death and the absence of Jesus but we need to remind ourselves of the renewal of life that the Season of Lent and Easter holds for us.  Dust we are and dust we shall return, but dust and dirt gives new life to the seeds that are planted in them.  Let us grow in this Season of Lent and live out the promise of new life in Christ Jesus!