Fifth Sunday in Lent (Judica)

Approaching Passiontide and Holy Week

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Lent is coming to an end, and Passiontide is upon us. Passiontide includes the last two weeks of Lent, guiding us toward the cross of Jesus. During this time, the season’s intensity heightens, and our desire for Good Friday and Easter morning should grow stronger.

In the coming weeks, I want to encourage you to let the church’s liturgy serve as your teacher.

While in seminary, I read in one of my class readings,
The purpose of religion is to push back the boundaries of the world, to expand the horizon of reality, to enlarge our view. From a limited human perspective, the world has not changed after the death and resurrection of Christ. But [Passiontide] and Holy Week enlarge our understanding of what went on then and what continues to go on in the present time.

The point the author is making here is that the traditions and services of these upcoming days can expand the depth of your understanding of what Christ has done for you, if you allow them to.

Over the next two weeks, allow the liturgy, readings, and hymns to open your heart not only to the seriousness of your sin but also to the love of Christ, who died on the cross and rose on the third day for you.

Your unworthy undershepherd,
Pastor Rogness