Dearly Beloved in Christ,

I welcome the opportunity to write this brief letter for the month of March 2010; moreover. Let me convey greetings in the precious name of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. We are celebrating Lenten season by believing that Almighty and eternal loving God forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; besides, he creates in us a new and contrite heart, that we, worthily confessing our sins and obtain forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Many Christians traditionally celebrate lent by rejecting expensive delicious food; also, reciting prayers from liturgy and they separate them self from worldly pleasures. At the same time some other Christians do not believe in the traditional way of celebrating lent but according to the scripture all criticisms seems invalid (Romans 14: 1-8). It is true, that we have no right to judge god’s people, according to Romans 14:10. “But why doest thou judge thy brother? Or why doest thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all stand before judgment seat of Christ”. On the other hand, it is very significant to understand what is lent light of the scripture Isaiah 58: 5-14.

⁵      Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
       only a day for a man to humble himself?
       Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
       and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
       Is that what you call a fast,
       a day acceptable to the LORD ?

 ⁶   "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
       to loose the chains of injustice
       and untie the cords of the yoke,
       to set the oppressed free
       and break every yoke?

 ⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
       and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
       when you see the naked, to clothe him,
       and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

 ⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
       and your healing will quickly appear;
       then your righteousness ^[a] will go before you,
       and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

 ⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
       you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
       "If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
       with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

 ¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
       and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
       then your light will rise in the darkness,
       and your night will become like the noonday.

 ¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
       he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
       and will strengthen your frame.
       You will be like a well-watered garden,
       like a spring whose waters never fail.

 ¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and will raise up the age-old foundations;
       you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
       Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

 ¹³ "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
       and from doing as you please on my holy day,
       if you call the Sabbath a delight
       and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
       and if you honor it by not going your own way
       and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

 ¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the LORD,
       and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
       and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
       The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

If we can not understand God’s mind our celebration of lent season and fasting seems meaningless. In other words, cleanses the outward life while inward life is corrupt is absolutely a vain labor. The celebration of lent and fasting can be understood as a self denial or sacrifice for the love of God that dedicated to help a person or a family who are under affliction. Our church has been dedicated to help people those who are oppressed, afflicted, rejected and neglected; because he was oppressed, afflicted, rejected and neglected for our sins. He died on the cross while we were enemies, yet he resurrected from death; therefore, I believe that the church’s responsibility is much vast and wide. However, let celebrate this Lenten season by humble yourself and stretch out our blessed hands towards God’s people.

With prayers and love,

Rev. Johnny Joseph.