Our Sacred Roots: The Priesthood of All Believers

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T he S eason of L ent

Incorporating Believers into the Church through Baptism: Following theWay of Jesus

Restoring the ancient Church’s focus on preparation for incorporation into the Church through baptism can be a wonderful way to renew one’s faith and discipleship. The Revised Common Lectionary readings emphasize this focus. Placing the observance of Lent in its ancient and historical context enables us to see how significant this season of the Church Year was for penitents and new converts then, and for our spiritual formation now. This entire season was known as a time of preparation and readiness, climaxing for can didates for baptism in an Easter baptism and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Backsliders who had repented and were coming back to the Church used this season to reorient their lives under the lordship of Christ, and sought to forsake the world and its pollution, and be re-incorporated into the family of God. Through the teaching of the Creed, the cleansings and the rites, and the tutoring and training, the new converts and penitents prepared with the entire congregation for a new level of spiritual life and growth. Truly, Lent was not merely a time of giving up a few delicacies or habits; rather, Lent became associated with a re-ordering of one’s priorities and direction, all under the long-casting shadow of the Cross of Calvary. Jesus’ story of submission and humility, then, is offered to us as our own personal journey of transformation as we prepare to die to ourselves in order to live anew with the risen Christ.

Walking theWay of the Cross: Remembering the Passion of Jesus of Nazareth

The Lenten season, then, is a time for reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus. During this time we emphasize our own dying with him, and so, like Jesus, we must prepare ourselves to obey God no matter what sacrifice it involves. Lenten observance calls for people to fast as a way of

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