Plan Info
2016 Belmont University Lenten GuideSample
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The reflections from today’s scripture cut like a knife through our modern understanding of humanity. A post-enlightenment notion of humanity places us on a pedestal above all else. We convince ourselves nothing can stop us from reaching our full potential or working together to create a flourishing society.
Yet we know deep down this idea is not true. It only takes a few minutes of scrolling through the latest news feed to see that this view of ourselves is grossly exaggerated. Often we try simultaneously to maintain a positive conception of humanity and desperately hold at bay the darker reality we know deep down is true. This inner struggle to make sense of the world around us often leads us to cynicism or despair. We place our hope in that which can only disappoint, so to avoid the pain of yet another disappointment, we choose to laugh in the face of any well-intentioned effort at bettering humanity, or we weep without hope under the crushing weight of the world’s pain.
What these scriptures, and the season of Lent, offer us is an alternative view of humanity that gives birth to hope and courage rather than cynicism and despair. Lent is a season to acknowledge that we are only a breath, that humanity is in fact deeply flawed and broken. However, Lent is also a season to acknowledge the redemptive work of Christ rising in the midst of our fractured world. The scriptures provide a vision of humanity that by our own efforts is incapable of healing the wounds of this world, but through the reconciling death and resurrection of Christ we are invited both to be healed by and partner with the redemptive work of our Savior.
In this time in which we live, between Christ’s resurrection and the fullness of his forthcoming kingdom, we will still experience the pain caused by our sin. We will still feel sorrow from our own brokenness and a deep longing for a world free from injustice. However, when we place our hope in the redemptive work of Christ rather than our own ability to heal the wounds of the world, our pain no longer serves as a place of disappointment, but as a reminder that the best is yet to come.
JOSH RIEDEL
Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation
Office of University Ministries
Yet we know deep down this idea is not true. It only takes a few minutes of scrolling through the latest news feed to see that this view of ourselves is grossly exaggerated. Often we try simultaneously to maintain a positive conception of humanity and desperately hold at bay the darker reality we know deep down is true. This inner struggle to make sense of the world around us often leads us to cynicism or despair. We place our hope in that which can only disappoint, so to avoid the pain of yet another disappointment, we choose to laugh in the face of any well-intentioned effort at bettering humanity, or we weep without hope under the crushing weight of the world’s pain.
What these scriptures, and the season of Lent, offer us is an alternative view of humanity that gives birth to hope and courage rather than cynicism and despair. Lent is a season to acknowledge that we are only a breath, that humanity is in fact deeply flawed and broken. However, Lent is also a season to acknowledge the redemptive work of Christ rising in the midst of our fractured world. The scriptures provide a vision of humanity that by our own efforts is incapable of healing the wounds of this world, but through the reconciling death and resurrection of Christ we are invited both to be healed by and partner with the redemptive work of our Savior.
In this time in which we live, between Christ’s resurrection and the fullness of his forthcoming kingdom, we will still experience the pain caused by our sin. We will still feel sorrow from our own brokenness and a deep longing for a world free from injustice. However, when we place our hope in the redemptive work of Christ rather than our own ability to heal the wounds of the world, our pain no longer serves as a place of disappointment, but as a reminder that the best is yet to come.
JOSH RIEDEL
Assistant Director of Spiritual Formation
Office of University Ministries
About this Plan
Again this year, through an intentional partnership between the College of Theology & Christian Ministry and the Office of University Ministries, we have been able to create and offer a Lenten Devotional Guide to help o...
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We are truly grateful for all of the individuals who have helped to make this fifth annual Lent and Holy Week guide a reality for our campus community, as it was indeed a campuswide collaboration that includes contributions from students, faculty and staff from across the campus, and even a few alumni. For more information, please visit: http://www.belmont.edu/
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