Lenten Quotes, Day 1

Perhaps that cross which you have so long and so anxiously asked God to lift from you, may be in itself a channel of mercy which you can not afford to lose. –Rev. T.M. Clarke

The Season of Lent gives time for meditation, for reading of God’s Word, for prayer, and for deeds of charity and love, and should be welcomed by every Christian heart as one of the dearest resting places of life. That which makes it dearer is that the Church is leading us along the footsteps of our Savior until, standing at the foot of the cross, we read the infinite testimony of the infinite love of God who “so loved the word that He gave His only-begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” It is only by the cross that we realize the joy of Easter in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has brought life and immortality to light. –Rev. H.B. Whipple

A true Lent will help us to go forth in the gladness of Easter, living sons and daughters of our risen Master.

Lent is a period of fasting. Fasting in Scripture is not for the purpose of ascetic self-disciple. Fasting is associated with periods of penance, and there is an affliction of soul in fasting (Lev 16), a reminder of our sinfulness. Yet, we don’t fast because food is bad or the body is bad. We fast as a way of preparing for the feast to come, of making the way clear for a festival renewal. Fasting is also a means of reminding ourselves that we do not live by bread alone, but by the word and Spirit of God. Lenten fasting shows us that our life is in the Risen Son, and not in the bread and meat that we eat. Fasting is part of the baptismal renewal that is at the heart of Lent. –Rev. Peter Leithart