Lent marks the time of year the church seems most focused and intent on its identity and mission. Through renewed attention to prayer, repentance, and generosity, we seek once again to incorporate ourselves more closely into the ministry, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ.

The challenge of the preacher is to help the congregation first of all take to heart the life-and-death seriousness of the season of Lent, and second, to take concrete steps to make spiritual progress this Lent.

More theology wars are likely to be fought over the meaning of Christmas than the substance of Lent. While many Christians gear up to do battle every December against an interesting assortment of enemies—Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, the retail industry, and the term “X-mas,” just for starters—nobody seems to have energy left over to take on the secular foes of the Lenten season.

Dorothy singing “Over the Rainbow” to Toto remains one of the most magical moments recorded on film. It touched something deep within many people’s hearts.

My newest hero is my neighbor across the hall: a public high-school teacher thought of as funny, sensitive, but not all that deep. Brian was on the verge of getting engaged to a beautiful woman, a social worker with a genuine concern for the people she helped.

There’s an old joke about the young man who went to Confession and said he had been experiencing temptations. “Did you entertain them, my son?” asked the kindly confessor. “No, Father,” replied the confused penitent, “but they sure entertained me!”

As we begin the Lenten season of prayer and preparation, we come before God in hope of new beginnings.

See, I am now establishing my covenant with you. Each year, the Lenten lectionary readings offer a different focus. For Year B, it’s covenant, and this emphasis is conveyed largely through the first readings.

When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you want God to know that you are hungry, know that another is hungry. If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give. —Saint Peter Chrysologus (406-450)