The Weight of Lent

By Keegan Welford-Small

Readings for March 13, 2024: Reflecting on The Fourth Sunday in Lent

This week's readings remind us how heavy the Lenten season is. Darkness, hubris, and greed are ever present drawing us away from the Trinity, yet the light of God is stronger still and calls us through the temptations and doubt. The path of God is one that lightens the spirit and forgives those burdens of the flesh. Passages like these help me appreciate the weight of the journey we undertake our whole lives. We are not called to reflect only during the times where we are in the wilderness, lost and hungry. Worship fills us with the light of God always. The light of God constantly supplies us with not what we need but supplies us with greater metals—silver instead of iron, iron instead of stone. It is hard for me to fathom these depths of love and care that God gives to us, but again and again we are assured of this and more—we are shown the Lords mercy in our lives through signs we often overlook. I often think back to my first Easter Vigil at St. Stephen’s and marvel at the way the sun rises through our stained glass windows. The beauty of light in our world is truly unappreciated. It is more than what allows us to see; it is our path set in front of us, guiding us, and reminding us of the covenant of our ancestors, that we will not get lost in the dark.