Lent Guide 2023Sample

Friday

“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

John 20:17

What can I let go of? To cling prevents me from starting the grieving process, but it also prevents me from moving so that the sadness can go through me. For example, I can cling to anger through blame. I can feel it’s someone or something’s fault, and that I want revenge. I can start blaming myself – “If only I didn’t do that.”

These can be ways of avoiding sadness. They’re things I have to let go so that I can grieve. Jesus asks Mary in John 20 to not cling to him. She has to let Him go. The Jesus she used to know. She has to let go of her idea of Jesus.

This invitation is open to all of us as followers of Jesus.

What is it you need to let go of in order to grieve?

Grace:

Lord, I ask for the grace of tears, to mourn my losses.