I think about his robe, his beautiful, seamless robe. Like the Cross, its molecular integrity is gone by now–not in a cathedral somewhere, not in a tomb. They cast lots for it, so as not to destroy its value,

A thrift store God–

Giving us

A seamless robe

he paid full price

I have been some sort of follower of Jesus my whole life and I never looked up the meaning of “lent” until this morning.

It means to elongate or lengthen and it refers to the passage of days in spring into summer. It means the spring season.

Ironically, this makes me feel better about all the years my arbitrary Lenten prohibitions have been less than fulfilled to the letter of the law.

Lent is grace.

I remember teaching at a community college in Maryland and looking at the sky in early March. I could see how the light lasted a little longer each day before the evening classes for adult learners.

I had a Russian student who had or feigned a crush on me. I see him holding roses with the evening sun behind him. For almost thirty years I have thought of that acknowledgment of lent in the days when winter starts to lose its sway and light stretches forth.

What does Jesus want from lent? What does he want from us?

He wants our full passion and attention. He wants us to walk in the light.

Psalm 9:8-11 KJV

[8] And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. [9] The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. [10] And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. [11] Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Psalm 104:2-6 KJV

[2] Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: [3] Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: [4] Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: [5] Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. [6] Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

Hebrews 12:1-3 KJV

[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross

, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.