Dear New McKendree Church Family,

It goes without saying that the Lenten season doesn’t quite have the same joyous appeal as Christmas; nonetheless, we’re called to engage in all that the season entails.  After all, it’s for our own good.  Face it.  We need Lent.  We need to experience the loneliness of the journey to the Cross and exposure to the sacrifice that was made there on our behalf.  Our spiritual health depends on it.  As Christians, we need Lent in our lives in the same way that our teeth need the dentist. 

So, that being said, how’s your Lent going so far?  If you’ve honestly tried to stop the outside activity long enough to focus on what’s within, then I’m sure you’ve discovered by now that it’s not easy.  I can personally attest to the fact that it’s a struggle.  Putting all life’s “to-do’s” aside, even for a half hour or so, looks easy enough on paper.  Actually doing it, well, that’s another story.  But, when you think about it, perhaps it’s not supposed to be easy.  After all, how easy was it for Jesus to make the trek to Calvary and suffer the pain and humiliation of the Cross?  We Christians are called to grow in Christ’s likeness.  Being Christ-like means sacrifice…it comes with the deal. 

With that in mind, Father Thomas à Kempis, the 15th-century priest who wrote The Imitation of Christ, put it like this:

          Jesus has many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross.  He has many who desire consolation, but few who

          care for trial.  He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting.  All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to

          suffer anything for Him.  Many follow Him to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the chalice of His passion.  Many

          revere His miracles; few approach the shame of the Cross.

I don’t know about you, but for me, that pretty much sums up the whole Lenten struggle.  The bottom line is this: there are two paths — one for the many and one for the few.  If you’re one of the few, hang in there…don’t lose hope.  Remember, just beyond the shadow of the Cross awaits the light of Easter morning.