Luke 9:51, “And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.”

Lent is a period in which we can turn our faces toward Jerusalem. Lent is 40 days of repentance and preparation (excluding Sundays) before Easter. That very concept calls for a number of questions, all of which should be addressed inwardly.

Do I recognize and admit my sin? Do I recognize that my sin is against God and God alone? Do I truly despise my sin? Am I truly repulsed by it?

Do I turn from my sin? Do I seek to turn toward something better?

Do I seek to do that which is the will of God? What are the elements of this repentance? What am I giving up? What am I taking on?

Hopefully the elements for each of us will include giving, prayer, and fasting.

We are all on the journey toward Easter. What are we doing with that journey, where it leads, is between us and our God.

My prayer is that we will have a Holy Lent leading towards that day when we hear he is risen, and we respond he is risen indeed.