The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Preparing for the Journey Rev. Ina Golaiy St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of salvation; for you I wait all day long." (Psalm 25:4-5) "Are you ready for your trip?" How often do we hear that before we embark on a journey? The hours of planning, preparing and anticipating what is to come, can be exhilarating. At the same time, we can grow weary of checking and rechecking all of the details. But when the time arrives and the journey begins, we find the work we put into preparation enhances the experience. Lent, which began this past Wednesday, sets aside 40 days (not counting Sundays) to get ready for the journey of celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. To get ready, we need to review, evaluate, change our lives and practise new behaviours that reflect the love and grace of God. To prepare for the journey of Holy Week, which ends with the resurrection of Jesus at Easter, we need to examine our lives, to express sorrow for our sin and to make changes that will open us to experience the pure joy of Easter. To get ready and make the most of the journey, we need to give up those things that are life-denying and replace them with things that are life-giving. We need to give up self-serving ways and practice generosity of giving of our time and energy and forgiveness. Throughout Lent, as we prepare our hearts to follow the footsteps of Jesus, let us pray for openness to the journey and for a new understanding of what it is to walk with Jesus. Let us ask for forgiveness and guidance. Let us draw near to God who is always near to us and believe afresh in the good news of forgiveness, wholeness and new life; good news of a love that will not let us go. And may God bless us in our journey, so that the hours of planning, preparing and anticipating what is to come, enhances our Easter experience.
